Bluebird

Despite the fact that it has been shown on Sky Arts on a number of occasions, it was never, as far as I'm aware, released as a DVD. Edited to add: Perhaps I'm wrong about this. Has anyone else come across a DVD of this performance?

No, Alison, the email to Friends of ENB was definitely referring to Patrons of ENB and not to Patrons of Sadler's Wells. As somebody mentioned above, most organisations keep seats back for their patrons and benefactors. ENB are not alone in this and it's, presumably, an effective way of raising much needed funds and is therefore, in my opinion, completely justified.. Of course, it's possible that Sadler's Wells have also kept blocks of seats for their Patrons. Certainly, the day priority booking opened for ENB Friends, there were very few seats available in the stalls or first circle.

Didn't Beatriz Stix-Brunell miss a rank? I'm pretty sure she was promoted from Artist to Soloist after doing a couple of principal roles very early in her career (Alice and Princess Rose).

It is the performance which was shown in UK cinemas a while ago. I don't think it's ever been shown on UK television.

I think those pages have been on the ROH website for a while (I noticed them a couple of weeks ago). I'm not sure that they're an indication of an early announcement. It's more likely that it's a case of efficient forward planning. I would, however, be delighted to be proved wrong!

The cast sheet on the cinema thread was put on line before the current spate of illness and injuries. The updated cast sheet is now in the digital programme. I'll paste it in below: Princess Aurora Marianela Nuñez Prince Florimund Vadim Muntagirov King Florestan XXIV Christopher Saunders His Queen Elizabeth McGorian Cattalabutte Alastair Marriott Carabosse Kristen McNally Lilac Fairy Claire Calvert Fairy of the Crystal Fountain Yuhui Choe Her Cavalier Luca Acri Fairy of the Enchanted Garden Akane Takada Her Cavalier Valeri Hristov Fairy of the Woodland Glade Yasmine Naghdi Her Cavalier Nicol Edmonds Fairy of the Song Bird Meaghan Grace Hinkis Her Cavalier Solomon Golding Fairy of the Golden Vine Anna Rose O'Sullivan Her Cavalier Fernando Montaño Lilac Fairy's Cavalier Ryoichi Hirano The English Prince Gary Avis The French Prince Johannes Stepanek The Indian Prince Valeri Hristov The Russian Prince Thomas Whitehead The Countess Christina Arestis Gallison Jonathan Howells Florestan Marcelino Sambé Florestan's Sister Yasmine Naghdi Florestan's Sister Mayara Magri Puss-in-Boots Paul Kay The White Cat Leticia Stock Princess Florine Akane Takada The Bluebird Alexander Campbell Red Riding Hood Gemma Pitchley-Gale The Wolf Tomas Mock

To be fair, it is only Hayward's performance in Act 3 that Jonathan Gray finds wanting. Here is how he phrases it: "It was only in Act III that I found I wanted something more from this ravishing new Aurora". Indeed, he has nothing but praise for the rest of her performance.

Maybe Geoff meant the Sunday Times interview? Otherwise, I suppose it's possible that the Observer doesn't put all of its content online.

It’s a pity that those of us who were there have been reluctant to post our thoughts in public. This seems very unfair to Reece so I’ve decided I have to overcome my shyness and state that I thought his performance Saturday night was pretty special. His characterisation in Act 2 was especially moving. If he was nervous it most certainly didn’t show in his dancing. I can’t judge his technique from an expert point of view but, to my eyes, his two solos were impeccably done. The partnering seemed to go well and my overall impression in the final act was that he was really enjoying himself. A most auspicious debut.

I'm pasting in below a post I made last November: I checked availability on the day booking opened and, for most performances, they had held back almost all the stalls tickets and also those in the first circle (apart from the two back rows) Something similar happened when booking opened for Romeo and Juliet at the RFH in August yet they later released some of the rows which had been held back. Very irritating for those of us who like to book early! (http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/13526-english-national-ballet-giselle-khan-autumn-2016/?p=191885) Obviously I have no way of knowing for sure but I think it's very likely that some of these seats will eventually be released.

Cast change for Rubies on April 12 and 15 (evening) Email just received from the ROH contained the following: "Due to a scheduling error it has been necessary to make the following cast changes for Jewels on Wednesday 12 and Saturday 15 April (evening performance). Sarah Lamb will replace Akane Takada and Steven McRae will replace Alexander Campbell for the performance on Wednesday 12 April. Akane Takada will replace Sarah Lamb and Alexander Campbell will replace Steven McRae for the evening performance on Saturday 15 April. We regret the inconvenience these changes may cause, but please do not hesitate to contact our Box Office team on +44 (0)20 7304 4000 (Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm) if you would like to make an exchange (subject to availability). On this occasion we will of course waive the exchange fee."

That’s very strange. That’s what used to happen when NTSC DVDs were played on old UK televisions. Does this apply to you? i.e. Have they sent you a DVD which is NTSC rather than PAL? I’d be surprised if they sold DVDs in both formats but I suppose it’s possible. My copy is in the PAL format, is region free and plays perfectly and in colour on my non-region-free DVD player.

Sorry, I didn't realise this hadn't yet been posted. I got an email from Ensemble Productions last week containing the information below. Probably some of the dancers listed won't come but it gives a general idea:: “In the Steps of the Ballet Russes” once again celebrates the glittering legacy of the legendary Ballet Russes. Much-loved favourites from the heady days of Diaghilev will be complemented by less familiar works and some spectacular contemporary repertoire – while exciting new pieces including a world premiere inspired by the Ballet Russes will look to the future of this great tradition. The cast for the Gala will be studded with world ballet stars and principal dancers from the world’s finest ballet companies: Maria Alexandrova (Bolshoi Theatre), Marlon Dino (Bavarian State Ballet), Matthew Golding (The Royal Ballet), Maria Kochetkova (San Francisco Ballet), Ekaterina Kondaurova (Mariinsky Theatre), Liudmila Konovalova (Vienna State Ballet), Lucia Lacarra (Bavarian State Ballet), Vladislav Lantratov (Bolshoi Theatre), Sasha Mukhamedov (Dutch National Ballet), Vadim Muntagirov (The Royal Ballet), Evgenia Obraztsova (Bolshoi Theatre), Natalia Osipova (The Royal Ballet), Xander Parish (Mariinsky Theatre), Iana Salenko (Berlin State Ballet), Olga Smirnova (Bolshoi Theatre), Jacopo Tissi (Bolshoi Theatre), Ivan Vasiliev (Mikhailovsky Theatre), Marian Walter (Berlin State Ballet), Edward Watson (The Royal Ballet), Zenaida Yanowsky (The Royal Ballet) and students of the Vaganova Academy among others. London’s annual ‘Russian Ballet Icons’ Gala, first held in 2006, is now firmly established as a highlight of the international ballet calendar. Every year a dazzling programme pays tribute to the wonderful traditions of the Russian ballet school and its legendary soloists who have been inspiring dancers and ballet lovers since the early nineteenth century. The Gala will be followed by a post-performance Dinner at the legendary Savoy Hotel in the presence of the star dancers and other celebrity guests."

There's a list of 'authorized ticket vendors' on the ROH website: http://www.roh.org.uk/visit/tickets#authorized-ticket-vendors

Friends are to be renamed ‘members’. The annual subscription for those joining or renewing after February 1 will increase by £5 and at the same time, almost all discounts will be removed. No longer will there be a 25% discount on booking 4 shows or more No longer will ‘members’ receive two 2-for-1 ticket vouchers No longer will ‘members’ have a free programme voucher and 50% off most other programmes No longer will ‘members’ save 10% on Sadler’s Wells branded merchandise. The benefit they will receive (in exchange for all of the above) will be priority booking ahead of the general public. I don't know how many Friends of Sadler's Wells are members of this forum but, if there are some, I would be interested to know what they think about the substitution of priority booking for that wide range of financial benefits.

Here are the links to the mixed bills. The links to the casting for each ballet are on the relevant production page http://www.roh.org.uk/mixed-programmes/the-dream-symphonic-variations-marguerite-and-armand http://www.roh.org.uk/mixed-programmes/the-vertiginous-thrill-of-exactitude-tarantella-strapless-new-liam-scarlett

Well, they were both bought there and are clearly labelled 'all region' and they play on my region 2 player without problem. It could be that the Australian Ballet are not very organised with their recordings. The Sleeping Beauty DVD was released in late November yet they weren't selling it at their merchandise counter in the Sydney Opera House in December (despite the fact that they were performing Coppelia there for most of the month). Indeed, now that the ABC have closed all their retail stores, it was hard to find it anywhere in Sydney. I eventually found one shop which had a single copy in stock.

In the latest casting update, she's scheduled to do a Sunday matinée as well (January 15)

Updated casting for Giselle: Wednesday 11 January (Press night) Alina Cojocaru* and Isaac Hernández * Thursday 12 January (mat) Alison McWhinney* and Yonah Acosta* Thursday 12 January Jurgita Dronina* and Alejandro Virelles* Friday 13 January Laurretta Summerscales* and Xander Parish* (with Michaela DePrince* as Myrtha) Saturday 14 January (mat) Tamara Rojo and Xander Parish Saturday 14 January Alina Cojocaru and Isaac Hernández (with Michaela DePrince as Myrtha) Sunday 15 January (mat) Alison McWhinney and Yonah Acosta Tuesday 17 January Alina Cojocaru and Isaac Hernández (with Michaela DePrince as Myrtha) Wednesday 18 January Elisa Badenes* and Cesar Corrales* Thursday 19 January (mat) Alison McWhinney* and Ken Saruhashi* Thursday 19 January Laurretta Summerscales and Xander Parish Friday 20 January Alina Cojocaru and Isaac Hernández (with Michaela DePrince as Myrtha) Saturday 21 January (mat) Jurgita Dronina and Alejandro Virelles Saturday 21 January Tamara Rojo and Xander Parish Sunday 22 January (mat) Elisa Badenes and Cesar Corrales *debut in role Edited to add that the many changes are due to injury.

I have both of these Australian Ballet DVDs and they are 'all region' so can be played on any player.

Unless my memory is playing tricks on me, Beatriz Stix-Brunell also danced Lilac Fairy (during the last run of Beauty). Edited to add that Francesca Hayward was a prologue fairy and Princess Florine in that same run of Beauty

I checked availability on the day booking opened and, for most performances, they had held back almost all the stalls tickets and also those in the first circle (apart from the two back rows) Something similar happened when booking opened for Romeo and Juliet at the RFH in August yet they later released some of the rows which had been held back. Very irritating for those of us who like to book early!

My understanding is that it's only the cloakroom which will be at ground level. Apart from the facilities for the disabled, I don't think there will be any toilets there. Perhaps bangorballetboy could confirm?

Casting is now on the ENB website: http://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/giselle/

A number of new BBC ballet programmes have been announced. I've pasted in the summary below (the link is below the summary). The BBC today (Thursday 27 October) announced a new raft of dance programming for winter 2016. Darcey Bussell searches for the real Margot Fonteyn, for BBC One BalletBoyz present the first ever full length feature film to be made by a dance company – Young Men – for BBC Two BBC Two goes behind-the-scenes at the Royal Ballet’s renowned Christmas production, The Nutcracker BBC Four marks Sir Peter Wright’s 90th birthday with a documentary featuring his first major profile interview Plus, BBC Young Dancer returns on BBC Two and BBC Four, providing a platform for dancers aged 16-21 in a search for the next generation of dance talent Highlights include a Christmas special for BBC Two going behind-the-scenes at the Royal Ballet’s festive production, The Nutcracker; an exploration of the life, loves and career of Margot Fonteyn presented by Darcey Bussell for BBC One; and a programme marking the 90th birthday of a legend of British ballet, Sir Peter Wright, on BBC Four. The internationally acclaimed, all-male BalletBoyz present the first ever full length feature film to be made by a dance company. A world premiere on BBC Two in November, Young Men follows a group of young soldiers as they experience the indiscriminate brutality of warfare. Plus, following the success of BBC Young Dancer 2015’s inaugural competition, the search for the next generation of dance talent continues. Launching on BBC Four in March 2017, BBC Young Dancer 2017 will culminate in a Grand Final at Sadler’s Wells on 22 April 2017. More details here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/winter-dance-programming