Bluebird

The ROH Performance database lists two 1982 performances. Lesley Collier danced in both of them, with David Wall in one and with Wayne Eagling in the other. It also lists 1985 performances. I don't know if they were complete. Here is the link: http://www.rohcollections.org.uk/production.aspx?production=13022&row=1

Latecomers don't need a TV as the ushers allow them to come into the back of the auditorium. Obviously this wouldn't be possible for sold out performances but it's, sadly, rare for Coli ballet performances to sell out.

I've also sat in the Grand Tier during working rehearsals and found that there was always a part of the arena I couldn't see. As for Loggia Boxes, you'd need to be in the front row of the box to have a good view. From my experience, the best view is from the higher levels of the stalls at the sides of the arena (areas H and M) If you think of the orchestra as the number 12 on a clock these seats would be at a quarter to and a quarter past the hour.

Yesterday afternoon Giselle was Roberta Marquez and Myrtha was Claudia Dean. I've seen Roberta's Giselle many times but thought yesterday afternoon's performance her best so far. As for Claudia, she did really well in her debut as Myrtha - a very confident performance. Also, a special mention for Yasmine Naghdi as the lead female in the pas de six - quite lovely.

originally announced casting here: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/5696-royal-ballet-201314-period-4-casting/?p=72647

It appears that Evgenia Obraztsova has sustained an injury and will be replaced in tomorrow's performance of Emeralds by Anastasia Stashkevich Edited to add link: http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/performances/456/roles/

Most of the casting for the two mixed bills is now back on the ROH website. However, the casting for the New Marriott is no longer there. For the other works, the names appear to be the same but, for some unfathomable reason, the Serenade mixed bill names are listed in a different order! Still no casting for The Concert. Edited to add links (for ease of reference). http://www.roh.org.uk/mixed-programmes/the-dream-new-marriott-the-concert http://www.roh.org.uk/mixed-programmes/serenade-sweet-violets-dgv

There is nothing missing. The original programme only lasted half an hour. I'm not sure why it was uploaded in two parts. Here are the links to part 1, which lasts for less than 27 minutes, and part 2, which contains the last few minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECaAxDhJguU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJqK8F3XjDg

I believe Yonah Acosta is doing Ali tomorrow and that Joan Zamora is doing the two performances on Saturday. If you intend going specially to see Joan Zamora, I suggest you call ENB and check when he's doing the role. Edited to add that, for the remaining performances, I think the casting on the website (the one I posted a few days ago) is no longer completely up to date for all the roles -i.e. the rearranging of the role of Ali that I've already mentioned and possibly the role of Gulnare on Saturday afternoon. However, when it comes to casting, nothing is ever certain and there might yet be further changes.

I'm able to access it so I've copied and pasted it below. Sorry I don't have time to sort out the format (i.e. it makes for a very long post in this format!) 10 Jan 2014 Erina Takahashi Lead Principal Medora Yonah Acosta Junior Soloist Conrad Ksenia Ovsyanick First Artist Gulnare Ken Saruhashi Artist of the Company Lankendem Joan Sebastian Zamora Artist of the Company Ali Fernando Bufalá Soloist Birbanto 11 Jan 2014 [Matinee] Fernanda Oliveira Lead Principal Medora Zdenek Konvalina Lead Principal Conrad Shiori Kase Soloist Gulnare Arionel Vargas Principal Lankendem Yonah Acosta Junior Soloist Ali Max Westwell Junior Soloist Birbanto 11 Jan 2014 Tamara Rojo Lead Principal Medora Matthew Golding Guest Artist Conrad Laurretta Summerscales First Soloist Gulnare Junor Souza Junior Soloist Lankendem Vadim Muntagirov Lead Principal Ali Fabian Reimair First Soloist Birbanto 12 Jan 2014 [Matinee] Alina Cojocaru Lead Principal Medora Vadim Muntagirov Lead Principal Conrad Erina Takahashi Lead Principal Gulnare Dmitri Gruzdyev Lead Principal Lankendem Junor Souza Junior Soloist Ali Yonah Acosta Junior Soloist Birbanto 14 Jan 2014 Fernanda Oliveira Lead Principal Medora Zdenek Konvalina Lead Principal Conrad Shiori Kase Soloist Gulnare Arionel Vargas Principal Lankendem Joan Sebastian Zamora Artist of the Company Ali Max Westwell Junior Soloist Birbanto 15 Jan 2014 Alina Cojocaru Lead Principal Medora Vadim Muntagirov Lead Principal Conrad Erina Takahashi Lead Principal Gulnare Dmitri Gruzdyev Lead Principal Lankendem Junor Souza Junior Soloist Ali Yonah Acosta Junior Soloist Birbanto 16 Jan 2014 [Matinee] Laurretta Summerscales First Soloist Medora Arionel Vargas Principal Conrad Ksenia Ovsyanick First Artist Gulnare Ken Saruhashi Artist of the Company Lankendem Zdenek Konvalina Lead Principal Ali Fernando Bufalá Soloist Birbanto 16 Jan 2014 Tamara Rojo Lead Principal Medora Matthew Golding Guest Artist Conrad Fernanda Oliveira Lead Principal Gulnare Dmitri Gruzdyev Lead Principal Lankendem Junor Souza Junior Soloist Ali Fabian Reimair First Soloist Birbanto 17 Jan 2014 Alina Cojocaru Lead Principal Medora Vadim Muntagirov Lead Principal Conrad Erina Takahashi Lead Principal Gulnare Dmitri Gruzdyev Lead Principal Lankendem Junor Souza Junior Soloist Ali Yonah Acosta Junior Soloist Birbanto 18 Jan 2014 [Matinee] Erina Takahashi Lead Principal Medora Yonah Acosta Junior Soloist Conrad Fernanda Oliveira Lead Principal Gulnare Dmitri Gruzdyev Lead Principal Lankendem Fernando Bufalá Soloist Ali James Forbat First Soloist Birbanto 18 Jan 2014 Tamara Rojo Lead Principal Medora Matthew Golding Guest Artist Conrad Laurretta Summerscales First Soloist Gulnare Junor Souza Junior Soloist Lankendem Joan Sebastian Zamora Artist of the Company Ali Fabian Reimair First Soloist Birbanto 19 Jan 2014 [Matinee] Daria Klimentová Lead Principal Medora Vadim Muntagirov Lead Principal Conrad Fernanda Oliveira Lead Principal Gulnare Dmitri Gruzdyev Lead Principal Lankendem Junor Souza Junior Soloist Ali Fernando Bufalá Soloist Birbanto

Just found a review in the Express which, despite featuring photographs of the first night cast, appears to be a review of the dress rehearsal: http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/453103/Swashbuckling-pirate-piece-Le-Corsaire-by-the-English-National-Ballet-review Surely it's not appropriate to review a rehearsal, however positive the comments? Edited to add that it's just occurred to me that there might have been an afternoon preview with this cast. Does anyone know if this is the case? If so, the above criticism would not apply.

Just received an email about a Time Out ticket offer for Le Corsaire at The Coliseum. £40 tickets reduced to £25. http://uk-offers.timeout.com/deals/enb-le-corsaire Edited to add that tickets have to be ordered before midnight on Saturday January 11.

I hope the following is correct. Since the listing on the production pages seemed incomplete, I've copied and pasted it from the individual performance pages. I've naturally assumed there was an error in the listing for Golding and have taken the liberty of correcting it. Sat May 31 and June 5 The Dream: Roberta Marquez, Steven McRae New Marriott: Natalia Osipova, Edward Watson, Steven McRae June 6 and 12 The Dream: Natalia Osipova, (Matthew) Golding New Marriott: Sarah Lamb, Ricardo Cervera, Alexander Campbell The Concert: TBA June 10 and 13 The Dream: Laura Morera, Federico Bonelli, New Marriott: Natalia Osipova, Edward Watson, Steven McRae The Concert: TBA May 14 21 and 26 eve Serenade: Marianela Nuñez, Lauren Cuthbertson, Melissa Hamilton, (Matthew) Golding, Ryoichi Hirano Sweet Violets: Leanne Cope, Lauren Cuthbertson, Laura Morera, TBA,Thiago Soares, Rupert Pennefather, Federico Bonelli, Steven McRae DGV: Zenaida Yanowsky, Natalia Osipova, Marianela Nuñez, Laura Morera, Eric Underwood, Edward Watson, Thiago Soares, Federico Bonelli May 17, 24 and 26 mat Serenade: Sarah Lamb, Natalia Osipova, Olivia Cowley, Rupert Pennefather, Valeri Hristov Sweet Violets: Meaghan Grace Hinkis, Laura Morera, Leanne Cope, Marianela Nuñez, Thomas Whitehead, Bennet Gartside, Ricardo Cervera, Alexander Campbell DGV:Tierney Heap, Akane Takada, Melissa Hamilton,Itziar Mendizabal, Ryoichi Hirano, Tristan Dyer, Rupert Pennefather, Nehemiah Kish

Casting has been announced for The Dream, the New Marriott, and the Serenade/Sweet Violets/DGV mixed bill. The Concert is still TBA. http://www.roh.org.uk/mixed-programmes/serenade-sweet-violets-dgv http://www.roh.org.uk/mixed-programmes/the-dream-new-marriott-the-concert If you click on each date you'll find the casting details but I'm pretty sure they contain an error as 'Golding' is listed as Solomon Golding whereas I think it's almost certain it should be listed as Matthew Golding.

The casts are on the ROH website, hidden amongst the comments made below the announcement: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/christmas-broadcasts-from-the-roh-announced-for-2013 Scroll down to the information posted on December 12 at 3.22pm. I've copied and pasted it below: Les Patineurs; Divertissements; Scènes de Ballet Carlos Acosta (Divertissements); Leanne Benjamin (Divertissements); Darcey Bussell (Divertissements); Thiago Soares (Divertissements); Steven McRae (Les Patineurs); Samantha Raine (Les Patineurs); Myako Yoshida (Scènes de Ballet); Ivan Putrov (Scènes de Ballet); The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Paul Murphy; Barry Wordsworth The Nutcracker Gary Avis (Herr Drosselmeyer); Meaghan Grace Hinkis (Clara); Ricardo Cervera (Hans-Peter/The Nutcracker); Roberta Marquez (The Sugar Plum Fairy); Steven McRae (The Prince); Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Koen Kessels Swan Lake Zenaida Yanowsky (Odette); Nehemiah Kish (Prince Siegfried); The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Barry Wordsworth Sleeping Beauty Gary Avis (King Florestan XXIV); Genesia Rosato (His Queen); Lauren Cuthbertson (Princess Aurora); Sergei Polunin (Prince Florimund); Alastair Marriott (Cattalabutte); Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Sarah Lamb (Alice); Federico Bonelli (Jack / The Knave of Hearts); Edward Watson (Lewis Carroll/ The White Rabbit); Zenaida Yanowsky (Mother / The Queen of Hearts); Steven MacRae (Mad Hatter); Christopher Saunders (Father/King of Hearts); Eric Underwood (Rajah/The Caterpillar); Philip Mosley (The Duchess); The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; David Briskin The relay of Don Quixote on BBC Four will feature Marianela Nunez and Carlos Acosta in the lead roles.

Hasn't it changed considerably since Janet saw it in 1986? I'd understood that Peter Wright had made major changes when the Opera House reopened in 1999.

Just checked the BRB site. They're at the Birmingham Hippodrome between those dates. Edited to add link: http://www.brb.org.uk/masque/index.htm?act=whatson&tsk=superseason&urn=26829

David Pickering was Paris last night and the flowers were for his last performance with the company. Perhaps somebody else knows if he's actually leaving or if he's staying to continue his work with the Education Department.

It's on at the Phoenix, East Finchley: http://www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/news/bolshoi-2013-2014-season/ Edited to add that it's also on in Brixton http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Ritzy_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Seasons_Festivals/Ballet/ and The Gate in Notting Hill http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse/film/Bolshoi_Le_Corsaire/

The Manchester Corsaire casting is now on the ENB website: http://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/lecorsaire/ (click on principal casting and then on Palace Theatre Manchester) Edited to paste in casting: Tuesday 11th Feb Klimentova Muntagirov Wednesday 12th Feb Rojo Golding Thursday 13th Feb mat Ovsyanick Bufala Thursday 13th Feb eve Takahashi Acosta Friday 14th Feb Oliveira Konvalina Saturday 15th Feb mat Rojo Golding Saturday 15th Feb eve Klimentova Muntagirov

The Opera House doesn't open its doors until 10am so you will need to queue outside until then. You will, however, be in a covered walkway. Although it might be cold, you'd be sheltered from any rain.

Dayseats are in various different locations. These are the prices for The Nutcracker: Stalls Circle row C side bench seats £34 Stalls Circle standing £10 Balcony standing £10 Rear Amphitheatre £24 and £15 Some of these places have a restricted view. You should check when buying. It’s hard to say what time you should arrive. Obviously, the closer you are to the front of the queue, the more likely you are to get a good ticket. As John says, you will probably be able to get a ticket if you arrive around 9.30am but you might get more choice if you arrive earlier

I'm afraid I'm not very good at remembering what people were wearing but I think I remember Lauren wearing a beige leotard with black shorts over it. Melissa Hamilton is no longer blonde. She now has brown hair. Maybe your blonde was Hayley Forskitt (on the back row)? Claudia Dean is also blonde but she isn't as tall. David Pickering introduced the class and I think that your curly haired lady might have been Deirdre Chapman.

I've just gone through the company list and jotted down the names of those I think were there (i.e. in the order they're listed in the ROH programmes) Lauren Cuthbertson, Laura Morera, Ed Watson, Zenaida Yanowsky, Alex Campbell, Deirdre Chapman, Yuhui Choe, Ben Gartside, Melissa Hamilton, Itziar Mendizabal, Johannes Stepanek, Lizzie Harrod, Paul Kay, David Pickering, Akane Takada, Eric Underwood, Hayley Forskitt, Meaghan Hingis, Fernando Montaño, Sian Murphy, Yasmine Naghdi, Claudia Dean, Nicol Edmonds, Ben Ella, Kevin Emerton, Demelza Parish. Those who were there, please amend the list if it's inaccurate in any way. Edited to say that I might be wrong about Zenaida. I thought I remembered seeing her at the beginning but have no memory of her being there later.

One wonders how these mistakes will affect voting for the Emerging Dancer People's Choice. I noticed that the in-theatre voting box was completely full, indicating that many people have already voted. Some of these votes might well be for the dancer named on the sheet rather than the one who actually danced!