Tango Dancer

14 minutes ago, OnePigeon said:

I don’t really understand the removal of the other men.  I’m assuming it’s because they feel it’s culturally insensitive and some sort of stereotype to portray an Asian woman as a sex worker in a harem, or is it a concern that a woman is being passed around three different men?  I personally feel the way it’s danced, as an artistic representation of a harem, is in fact quite empowering to the woman: one woman dancing sensually with three men adoring her and presenting her while she looks like she’s in control is very refreshing. It fits perfectly with the beautiful, sensuous piece of music and the flow and dynamic is lost for me when it’s just a pas de deux.  It used to be one of the highlights, but it fell flat for me this time.

I'd always assumed she was the Queen and they were her eunuchs serving her because she's very much the one in charge of the dance.  That said I quite like it as a pas de deux too. 

As a bad amateur bellydancer I'd say none of it is very authentically "Arabian" despite the usual costuming.  No Egyptian / Turkish / Levantine / Emirati dancer dances anything like this and they don't use this music.  So it's very much fantasy whichever version you do.  

I think my favourite version is probably the Bolshoi one which does a pas de deux that really draws on classical Indian hand movements and positioning.  

I come and go on Matthew Bourne.  Some of his work I really think is impressive and some of it not so much.  I'm in two minds about whether to go to see this when it tours my way so would also like to hear views.

Like Jan McNulty I'm really looking forward to NB's Romeo and Juliet. Having moved from London to Yorkshire I'm really enjoying seeing their works more often. 

I'm also looking forward to seeing the Sao Paolo Dance company on tour because it looks really interesting.  

I've actually also booked for the Ballet Icons gala at the Coliseum.  Not sure who from their list will be performing but it looked like fun.  

One of my friends also wants to go to London to see ENB at the Royal Albert Hall in Swan Lake.  I always like seeing ballet in the round, it's such an interesting perspective so I think I will enjoy that.  I may do the Georgian swan lake if I can find a reason to be in London at the time.  

Other than that I'll see what's on that I like the look of and book when I see what's coming.  I like to keep some money back to be spontaneous.  I'm hoping the London City Ballet will tour somewhere near me as I'm looking forward to seeing what they do and I'll probably see the BRB Sleeping Beauty.  

47 minutes ago, Scheherezade said:

You are being very diplomatic, Bridiem. I would call it preaching, and sadly there seems to be no escape from it these days. 

I agree so much of modern dance is preachy and depressing.  I'm not sure why there's so little joy in any of it.  I am always pleasantly surprised when anything contemporary is at all upbeat.  It's why the latest Ballet Black programme was such a pleasant surprise to me.  

7 hours ago, Sophoife said:

Some versions of Swan Lake do have a "happy ending", most notably the Mariinsky's.

 

 

Swan Lake has several different endings which is one of the things I like about it.  There used to be a Youtube video with all the different versions in which ranged from happy, sad to one where Rothbart compels Siegfried to marry Odile and keep his word (Danish ballet I think) which I thought was fascinating.  

On 17/12/2023 at 17:09, PeterS said:

March 29th is Good Friday so the ‘Tchaikovsky gala’ is at the start of a long weekend. No work the day after for many so a trip to Birmingham a possibility depending on Bank Holiday (yay!) trains….

I had completely not clocked that it was a long weekend.  That makes a lot more sense.  Thanks for flagging.  

Still not sure about wanting to see just Tchaikovsky.  The last gala in 2023 was a lot better curated with clearer themes and a slightly more varied programme with a mix of old favourites and some newer works like Interlinked pas de deux and a more modern take on Carmen.  But I'll see what else I've got on.  

I saw this on BRB's website.  I think it's instead of their gala but it appears to limited to Tchaikovsky which I think is a bit limiting in terms of the repertoire.  Not sure if I can make it myself but wanted to share in case others were interested.  It's on Thursday 28 March which is annoying because I prefer weekend events as they're easier logistically.  

Tchaikovsky Classics with Birmingham Royal Ballet | Birmingham Royal Ballet (brb.org.uk)

9 hours ago, fromthebalcony said:

I also believe that Ryoichi is very handsome, and not sure why one would make a Gere/DeNirio comparison. Just my opiinon of course. 

 

I agree. I mean he's not the Matthew Ball type of supermodel gorgeous, but he's a very nice looking man with the sort of bone structure that ages well and will mean he looks good in 20 years time.  Ryo has lovely eyes and a captivating smile and I actually like the little moustache and beard he's wearing now as it makes him look a bit more cheeky and a bit more of a rogue. Certainly I'd not turn him down given a chance!

My cinema relay wasn't brilliantly attended but more than Don Q.  I think we managed a dozen people which is twice what we had for the last one. 

Still never mind I enjoyed myself.  I like that production.  It was lovely seeing Gary Avis in the introductory comments.  He looked so handsome in his suit.  I am always captivated by what he says as well as his fine eyes. 

I loved the party scene.  Christopher Saunders and Kristen McNally looked excellent as the parents.  That fashion really suits her face and colouring and he's such a silver fox in those trousers!  The dancing was good too.  Daichi Ikerashi stood out for me as Drosselmeyer's assistant and I liked Liam Boswell as Clara's partner.  

As always David Donnelly is a tour de force as the Mouse King.  I loved how he used his tail and managed everything so smoothly that it looked easy despite the mouse head.  He's really gifted in character parts.  

Sophie Allnatt was a charming Clara, lovely feet and arms and looked really captivated by everything she saw.  Leo Dixon was also lovely as her partner and had some lovely technique in his parts of the Trepak and the other dances. Thomas Whitehead was good as Drosselmeyer but I have a weakness for Benn Gartside and Gary Avis and none of the others quite do it for me as much.  

I really liked Tasuki Nakao and Joshua Junker in the Russian dance.  They were so well co-ordinated and had such lovely jumping technique.  Isabella Gasparini felt a bit unsure in the Rose Fairy role, I thought she almost stumbled a couple of times which is a shame.    

I thought Anna Rose and Marci were a good pair in the Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince roles.  They had very good chemistry and obviously like dancing together. 

Overall I thought it was a great performance and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  

13 minutes ago, selene said:

I've only seen Ryoichi and Sarah dance Diamonds together in the special performance during Covid lockdown, and I thought they were beautifully matched in elegance and technique. But that's the beauty of appreciating the performing arts, everyone has a different interpretation and all are equally valid. 

 

For what it's worth, Sarah did an interview with the Ballet Association back in 2018 where she spoke highly of Steve McRae and Ryoichi's partnering skills. 

Also dancing with someone is very individual.  I've never danced ballet with a partner but I dance social tango with a number of men and some just fit me better.  There's a really intangible sense of fit and chemistry with some people that others don't have.  I've danced with some very advanced partners and not enjoyed it and danced with some less advanced ones who have made me feel special and safe.  When speaking with other female followers we all want different things from our leads and perceive different men in quite varying ways.  You can't always understand why someone likes the partner they do, but it works for them.  Also it's not always a question of whether they're someone you're in a relationship with. Dance chemistry and relationship chemistry are not the same always.  

I don't know why Sarah picks Ryo more often than some other partners, but obviously something about it works for her.  

44 minutes ago, oncnp said:

 

Do we actually know that?  She may have input but in the end is it not KOH's decision? 

My understanding is that the female dancers have quite a bit of say as to who they dance with.  I think if she didn't like him that would be listened to.  

Ryo seems like a very solid partner and while not the flashiest of the male principal dancers, he has a warmth and depth to him and I think he'd be nice to dance with.  I also really liked him as a guest with the Northern Ballet Great Gatsby where he seemed to be a really considerate partner.  

6 hours ago, LinMM said:

Two opposite recent experiences. 

When I first went to see Akram Khans Giselle down in Southampton  I was a bit apprehensive at first (even though had seen a masterclass at ENB on the Queen of the Wilis role (so knew was going to be totally different) but I was completely captivated by this new version a very different take on the story…… I was happy for the two versions to stand side by side as would always want to see both. 

So when Creature came into production I was really looking forward to seeing this. However I hated it and can’t see me ever going again even though some of the dancing is really good the set and music combined are just too claustrophobic and painful for me. 

Interesting, I saw them the other way around.  I saw Creature first and really didn't like it.  I thought the music was awful and there was zero chemistry between the protagonists (none of this being the fault of the performers).  I really wasn't sure if I wanted to see his Giselle and was very apprehensive but I am glad I did because I think it works a lot better as a piece (the music helps).  So I was glad I gave Akram Khan a second chance and it definitely was something I'd enjoy again as long as you don't expect it to be a traditional Giselle.  

The other thing that defied my preconceptions was Ballet Black in Pioneers.  I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it as someone who loves Nina Simone's music but wasn't sure it was very danceable.  I was absolutely blown away by Mthuthuzeli November's choreography and the dancing worked far better than I expected.  Isabelle Couracy was amazing.  I think it was one of the best things I've seen all year.  

Oh this will be good. 

I loved Georgia.  I went to Tbilisi on a business trip before Covid and loved it, such a beautiful city and lovely food and wine.  I saw the company performing while I was over there and they were amazing.  I don't remember who I saw but I was very impressed by the corps and the musicality.

It's a shame they're not doing something else as there's a lot of Swan Lake on.  I'd definitely prefer their version though as I've seen RB do it a few times.    

25 minutes ago, MAB said:

Where were the ushers?  Two young women arrived late at the Wigmore Hall and sat in front of me, one immediately pulled out her phone.  The usherette was there in a trice, asking her to put it away.  She did but five minute later out came the phone again, once more the usherette insisted she turn it off.  It stayed off and she didn't returm after the interval.  

I think they're a lot stricter about this at the Wigmore Hall.  Also it's a smaller venue so easier to police.  I've never had a problem with the audience misbehaving at the Wigmore.  

I found the audience behaviour really poor at the Leeds Theatre Nutcracker on Friday night and the ushers did nothing about it.  

Smaller venues are better at this I think.  I've seen Northern Ballet in their own small theatre and people behave significantly better.  

5 hours ago, Fonty said:

 

You don't mean to say you actually played it, Alison?  They were horrible pieces, and I don't know why they were always included.

Bartok is generally awful as I've yet to hear anything of his I've actually liked.  I went to his opera of Bluebeard as a concert performance and it was really boring and went on far too long. Never again!

Sarah and Kevin were really amazing so if it makes it south, I'd definitely recommend the production.  

I'm not sure how old the baby was (I'm rubbish at guessing ages) but it didn't look very ambulatory although it did have hair.  So probably 2ish I guess?

I wouldn't take children to a 7pm Friday showing either, one of the ones in front of me nearly fell asleep (although that may have been the sugar rush wearing off from all of the sweets).  Strikes me as a waste of money to take 3 children to a show they won't enjoy (and they weren't the cheapest seats).  When I was a child I was taken to the matinees of Nutcracker, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty etc and made to sit still and behave.    

Another one from my wonderful Saturday morning ballet class. 

"Move your arms in the port de bras like you're making dough, smoothly and evenly." 

I'd never thought of it like making dough before but I rather like the visual of kneading and stretching pastry out.  

Just back from the theatre.  Well that was rather lovely, at least the dancing was.  It was a shame about some of the audience. 

It's the first time I've seen this version and I really liked it.  The cast worked beautifully as a whole and the numbers for the corps were beautiful especially the party scene.  I also really liked Kevin Poeung as James / Cavalier.  He had a lovely light technique in the jumps and solos and partnered Sarah Chun sensitively.  She had some lovely port de bras and was a delicate fairy.  

I also really liked the Spanish dancer (great jumps) and the Cossacks.  I thought the costumes on the Mirletons were beautiful and loved the delicate choreography.  The mouse king was really good in the battle scene.  

On the whole I thought it was a great version. 

The audience in contrast were terrible.  I had a family in front of me with 3 young children who didn't stop moving, talking, eating sweets and drinking and when they got bored kept putting the light on their watches to check the time.  I had a family with a small baby behind me and it cried (what felt like) the whole evening.  There was also someone somewhere snoring through the Sugar Plum Fairy solo.  I know there are more families present during the Nutcracker but I wish people taught their children to sit still and didn't bring babies somewhere they won't enjoy.  

31 minutes ago, oncnp said:

 

What I meant is that not everyone's life ambition is to dance for the RB or live in London. 

Yes.  I mean Amsterdam is quite a pleasant place to live and I think slightly cheaper to live in than London (rents definitely being lower).  It has good public transport, good shops and the Netherlands is compact and easy to reach the rest of Europe from.  It's one of the places I'd probably choose if I were looking to live abroad.  So I'm not surprised someone might choose Amsterdam over London.  

12 minutes ago, JennyTaylor said:

I think Benn had an operation on his shoulder. It was on his IG page.

Yes I do his ballet classes when I'm in London and he's been signed off from performing for a while to recover.  

Also I'd love to see a Gary Avis one man Nutcracker.  I could watch him do anything.  He's so interesting and funny.  

I thought Aidan was really enjoying himself as Drosselmeyer.  I also love watching Marianna Tsembenhoi.  She always looks like she's having such a good time.  

6 hours ago, Ondine said:

Ye

 

 

(I once found myself alone in Bath Assembly Rooms and couldn't resist a few figures. I was possibly on CCTV but no-one came and said to stop, that I couldn't dance on the dance floor. Memorable.) 

 

I think one should always dance on a dance floor if one possibly can

Hope they make it to the north as well.  That would be lovely. 

I hope they get good sales in Bath and do well. 

I'm very glad you said they were Morris Dancers @Sim as I would not have realised this otherwise when I saw it last night. I had assumed they were representing The Muppets or the importance of recycling due to wearing costumes comprised of strips of litter.  

I went with a friend who likes more avant garde things than I do and she absolutely loved it and thought it was a lot about the importance of migration. and the challenges people faced getting to the UK.  I didn't get this at all.  I am not sure the plot worked for me but some of the dancing was very pleasant to watch and some of it was a bit of a mess.  I did zone out at points because it wasn't hugely engaging.  I would agree that it would be better if they lit the stage properly.  

This was the second time I'd seen something by Balletboyz and I much preferred the previous piece I saw them do which was inspired by a zen garden.  

3 minutes ago, Linnzi5 said:

I read that a while ago. Hmmm . . . 'Posh 'n' Becks' of the ballet world? I won't respond with my personal opinion on that comparison! 😱 

 I like the bit where they call him a "chiselled wunderkind" I mean that's not the first description that springs to mind because it kind of makes him sound like a very young statue. He's a very good looking chap but honestly that's such a silly description.  

4 minutes ago, Ondine said:

 

 

There's always the possibility Muntagirov preferred honouring his commitment to China, and wasn't actually too bothered about a royal handshake? Not everyone is.

 

I've certainly passed up an opportunity to be present at a royal visit to an exhibition, private, late night, major museum, with only four of us commoners plus a royal in attendance. I preferred my sleep.

 

Agreed. I've no desire to see the royal family, they don't do a lot for me and I'm a republican. I have also passed on opportunities to see them.  I can see a dancer not being that bothered about it, especially someone who grew up overseas.  

Managed to snag a balcony for £10 which is great because I'm always short of money after Christmas.  

Thanks so much for letting us know.