maryrosesatonapin

I think he will be wonderful - so does that mean we won't see him dance any more at Covent Garden? I feel both glad and sad. Congratulations to Federico Bonelli.

I was brought up in a religious cult that didn't allow me to go to the theatre (or even read novels or listen to recorded music) but my schoolfriend went to a local ballet school for little girls and once I was old enough to escape, she took me to see 'Swan Lake' by the London Festival Ballet. From then on I was hooked. A couple of years later I did the same to my new (and still) partner, and he became addicted too. Since then we have seen most of the great dancers of our time, and travelled to Russia and other places (especially in the eighties when not so many people did) and the addiction became stronger! Sometimes I wish we were old enough to have seen Fonteyn... but then we'd probably be dead by now 😁

I just loved her! My partner and I still talk about her from time to time. So unassuming, not flashy, not spectacular - but adorable and as you say, neat and very English.

Momoko Hirata is an absolute favourite of mine! I booked tickets for Birmingham ages ago so have no idea who I'll be seeing....

I agree with most of what you say, Floss, but dare I hope that Rojo will be an exception to this? Her Raymonda has had terrific reviews. Surely they will at least revive that regularly?

Having read through all these imaginative suggestions, I would add that although dancers have unique insights they do not generally have a high level of general, managerial or financial education. Most of them are probably not particularly suited to business positions. Dancers have had a lifetime of a very narrow, focused discipline which enables them to perform on stage to the benefit and admiration of us in the audience - their dedication is something that I applaud and am amazed by. However they are not generally suited to leading an important ballet company. My wish would be for someone of sound communication, commercial and leadership qualities to be appointed so long as they would also listen to what the dancers have to say on the artistic front. The ENB deserves the best - their performances that I have seen have always exceeded expectation. Well done Rojo for your achievements thus far, and may the goddess Terpsichore guide those in 'power' to provide a suitable replacement.

That is impressive! I think he is great for certain roles but will learn more refinement as he goes on. Well done JS!

I went to see Moscow City Ballet’s Swan Lake at Aylesbury last night, and was rather dreading it after the above comments. But turned out to be quite an enjoyable evening! I suppose it is better to go expecting poor quality and be pleasantly surprised than the other way round. Odette/Odile was danced by Liliya Orekhova, whose fragile appearance belied a strong technique with beautiful lines. I’ve never seen such a bird-like Odette. She was delicate and appealing in the first act but really came into her own as a seductive, evil Odile who made short work of 32 stylish, non-travelling fouéttes. All of the other dancers were at least adequate and many seemed very young. Prince Siegfried, Mikhailo Tkachuk, looked the part and was a sound partner but not otherwise very special. The Jester, Aleksei Tsavko, was very amusing and athletic. Yes, some of the pas de’s were slightly ragged, but then I’ve noticed that at the Royal Ballet recently too (in Giselle). And the orchestra did make a couple of fluffs that most people probably didn’t notice. Again, sometimes the RB orchestra does that as I am sure we have all witnessed. This is what happens when you have a live performance by real human beings. Overall I thought the sound very rich for a scaled-down travelling orchestra. The scenery was lovely and the overall effect, though not superb, was well worth experiencing IMO. I must have seen Swan Lake nearly 100 times in my lifetime from many different companies. Was this one of the best? No. Was this ‘third rate’? Certainly not. My companions yesterday were three friends, one ballet enthusiast and two complete novices. The former enjoyed herself but the amazement and enthusiasm of the newbies really touched me. They now can’t wait to go to another ballet – to the point that they were rifling through the theatre’s leaflets on the way out to see if there was anything else coming up. I believe I will be able to gradually edge them towards Covent Garden, the Coliseum and Sadler’s Wells! The tickets (best seats with a superb view) cost £40. I think the paying, ballet-loving audience got a bargain.

£91 for amphi is ridiculous.

I quite like the wigs! I always assumed they were powdered (as in C18th French fairytales). I also like Game of Thrones....

M&S do fab flowers though. £30 would buy a glorious bouquet. I get them myself for home. But @Dawnstar I am sure the dancer would prefer you to spend money on seats rather than flowers, if it's a choice between the two!

I've never hovered round the stage door and don't intend to, but the vision of male dancers exiting holding food really gave me a smile! What a strange idea.

But he left the Bolshoi for a while, didn't he? I imagine there was a falling out...

For female dancers, yes. If you send flowers to a male dancer they get left in their dressing room. I find Bloomsbury are very good at carrying out one's instructions - on the few occasions I have sent flowers I recognised which bunch was mine.

I was sooooo looking forward to this, but the performance I had booked is cancelled. Of course, I feel more sorry for Rojo and her hard-working dancers that I do for myself. I wonder if anyone knows - if I choose a refund, will it be ENB or the Coliseum who lose out? I'd happily donate to ENB for whom I feel great sympathy, but although I enjoy going to the Coliseum I'd not choose to give them my limited funds.

I've not been to this performance but in the past I've enjoyed touring Russian troupes. Yes, of course they can't have the same scenery and costumes as a subsidised 'at home' company but they often have one or two excellent dancers. So I'm sorry that your experience was so disappointing, @Elz. I always wonder what the dancers' lives are like - constantly on the move, numerous performances in unknown, variable venues, possibly not much care given to their health and safety. Maybe I'm over-dramatising! I'm going to see them next week so am dreading the orchestra above all!

On a possibly cheerier note (if you have constipation) we decided to treat ourselves to some real sugar plums this festive season. How disappointing that they turned out to be prunes!

Are you serious?

I also saw and loved Osipova/Clarke and Hayward/Campbell. But I think I was most moved by Morera/Bonelli - it was a performance I will never forget.

I agree Acri was a brilliant Hilarion! Ball/Naghdi good too but I preferred several other couples from the run. Did you see it live at all?

Thanks to the mods and happy and SAFE Christmas wishes to all the members.

The word 'ninepins' comes to mind. It must be enervating for the company (and of course, all the other companies).

I didn't notice any blacked-up toys in the recent Bolshoi screening. My partner is half German and we sometimes play a card game at Christmas called 'Black Peter' in which you have to mark your face with finger-marks of soot (not all over, just several specific points), so I always assumed that character was something to do with chimneys....

I really feel for Rojo re the uncertainty around Raymonda - it is such a huge thing for her. Enough to make her ill with worry I should think!

I've not been notified yet so thanks for pointing it out, @zxDaveM . We had booked Nutcracker with dinner beforehand at the ROH for my birthday on 3rd January. I guess we'll be staying at home now then!