emmarose

It was such a one off, as many of you have said, so many times I've had wonderful chats with people I'm sitting near or even ones who come down and want to take a pic where I'm sitting, I'll offer to take it and they'll chat about where they've travelled from. This was a complete one off.

Thank you all for the kind words. It did mar an otherwise lovely evening. I was just discussing it with the person I took with me and she said she was worried that he might follow us out. Thankfully I'm not like that really, but I wasn't aware she was conscious of it. I've just sent off an email explaining what happened. It's probably best they're aware of what can happen after they have spoken to people causing trouble. I have medical conditions, I can't always go when I want to (I've had to return a lot of bookings due to not being up to it at the time) and so each time I go is quite precious. It also costs me a lot. I've been in pain since and I'm still extremely tired, so to go is a big deal for me, and to have it try to be ruined by others is a lot. I'd go for a box, but the four seats and the price, and the fact I prefer the views from stalls/stalls circle mean I have to be around more people who at any time are liable to behave like this.

This is true. It was a very violent kicking, the chairs were all moving. It was quite something, coupled with the coughing on my head/neck on purpose, it wasn't pleasant to say the least. He did follow me to the toilets by the SC and he and his daughter were standing there and staring, but TBH I am not easily intimidated.

I think I will make contact. I'm drafting my thoughts and then I'll send them over. The man's behaviour was aggressive and threatening and as there was nobody nearby and the second act was minutes away and I didn't want to disturb anyone, I was left with it. If someone had have been there to see it, I believe he would have been kicked out, so it's best to let them know what happened after they spoke with them.

I would agree with this too, to pick William as one of the more reserved is an interesting choice as he shares an awful lot, including his partner and also his partner's mother who sadly had cancer and then died. I wouldn't say he was one of the more reserved on social media. Of anyone I would say someone like Ryoichi Hirano would be an example of a dancer who is reserved on there. There's no criticism for me either way. If a dancer wants to not post or share every detail of a life they enjoy, they should do as they wish in whatever way makes them happy. If we don't like a certain way, we're free to not look.

I think it was probably a combined Freudian slip and being absolutely exhausted. Glad it made you laugh!

I'm not so sure. It's every other year and a few days ago she thanked Vadim for his partnership and said they had done these roles many times and she knew they had many more to come.

Do you think it's worth it? I suppose it might make make them aware to keep a closer eye on people they've already had to have a word with. Honestly, it's like nothing I've ever experienced anywhere.

I did tell him he better stop kicking me and for the rest of the performance they were very quiet. I didn't want to further spoil the show not only for me and my guest but also the others next to me who were also in shock at his behaviour and said what's been echoed here, that maybe some people shouldn't be aloud out in society.

I think it was because it was the last few minutes before curtain up, so there was nobody nearby at that moment.

It really was. I've never, ever been bent over to cough on the back of my head and the kicking was deliberate, he was sitting back into the chair to do it with full force. I don't know what is wrong with people sometimes.

Yes, I noticed that, when they came out again the lights came up a bit to light the standing ovation. You could see it meant a lot to them.

I'm sorry to report that last night I had the worst experience with poor audience behaviour. I was on the front row stalls Circle, the people behind were talking all throughout the first two acts, getting phones ready to video, the usher had to come over right at the end of Act II and have a word. They were also constantly moving one of those sleeping bag coats and making noise with that. In the interval I went over to an usher and asked if maybe they could be more on hand to quieten them. I went to the loo and was told that someone had come over and actually all but shouted at them and threatened to kick them out if there was one more noise. I came back to my seat to the man (father to his two daughters) making these very loud coughing noises. Very strange as he wasn't coughing, then I felt him do it directly onto the back of my head. He had leaned forward to do it and I felt it. Then he started kicking very hard the back of my chair, like pushing it forward. I obviously asked him to stop, it was so violent the man in the seat next to me felt it. It was truly awful behaviour and I've never experienced anything like it.

I don't really have much to add and I'm utterly exhausted. But I agree with how much of a privilege it was to be there last night and opening night and there's ballet and there's dance but those two are living and breathing art, there is no act, it's all being lived on the stage organically. The ovation was quite moving and you could see they were both moved in the curtain calls and where I was in SC it was a beautiful view of a full Orchestra Stalls all standing up and applauding.

I am going with someone else, but I'd love to say hi to you

I'm so, so glad I asked because this saga did make me giggle (apologies!) Yes, I was hearing and seeing some things on Instagram (even thought we shouldn't) but apparently they were on song yet again and raising the bar so I decided it was a yes if they're dancing. I can't believe the long way around it for you.

Did you come to a decision? I think I'm leaning towards going at the minute.

Thank you for the video, I always like to see them but they make me cry. Well... wasn't that just lovely. What a lovely, humble and generous man he is.

Not really, no, it just says that they delivered an opening night of a worthy (and otherworldly) standard

Just taken an extract from Broadwayworld.com's review... I assume the writer frequents these forums... Prior to opening night, there were murmurings over Principals Marianela Nuñez and Vadim Muntagirov being once again selected for opening night. The Royal Ballet possesses endless world class dancers who can do an exemplary job with the leading roles, why can’t others get a look in? It’s safe to say such doubts were swiftly appeased with the heartbreaking, exhilarating and technically flawless display the pair put on for the first night crowd.

Yes, this was what I saw as well, you could see he was watching her so closely and she always was in complete control of the pace and her balance

Now that would be a fresh take for the critics!

Also... in the last visual, while Odette was up there on the rock, you could see the rope holding her safely up there...

Oh wow, that is such a coincidence, I don't think I've ever used that quote on any forum before! Have a wonderful time, I'm not at all envious!

I get it, I'm kind of in the mind of if you're bored of life, go to Paris. I never really tire of true art. I used to watch every tennis match Federer played, it was an awful lot and I never tired because it was always art. It's not as if this is happening everyday anyway, like I said it's 4 years since the critics saw them together opening night for SL.