Beryl H

Last night at the Theatre Royal Brighton I seemed to be in the minority in wearing a mask in the seat and in the foyer during the interval. It was very warm too and uncomfortable but I wanted to test it, couldn't see anything when I put my glasses on as they immediately fogged up in the heat!

Noticed not many people wearing them on the bus either, different from the daytime shoppers..

Not sure whether Covid passports were mandatory or not, they were checked at the entrance to the Theatre. All in all surprisingly relaxed, good or bad?

Fabulous new Matthew Bourne work by the way, on first sight one of his best, will post elsewhere.

15 hours ago, Tony Newcombe said:

I think you have answered your own question. I long for the days of Chris Smith in the Blair government, then again he didn’t last long. Too pro arts I seem to remember

Yes, at least Chris Smith actually attended the ROH, at the re-opening I remember him promising all sorts of things for the future at the People's Opera House, no wonder he had to go 😏 

I shall get a chance to use mine at least once on Thursday, the Theatre Royal Brighton, under the ATG group, is one of the few theatres where passports are necessary, or at least is was when I just checked!

I remember how scary Johann Kobborg was in The Lesson, poor Alina!

I applied online via the above NHS website and the A4 letter version arrived within 5 days, it states the details and dates of the 2 vaccinations, there is no expiry date. 

Tamara Rojo has taken on a huge task, I've always liked Glazunov's music but it doesn't seem to fit a serious subject, good to have something new to look forward to!

I've got a triple layer mask which is more comfortable, also safer, I bought it from Amazon, can't remember the exact price but a 3-pack cost about £8-£10.  

When I went into hospital in April, I was surprised that I wasn't able to wear my own good one but had to swap it  for a NHS flimsy pale blue one (the ones sold everywhere) 😏

I enjoyed the Australian Ballet's Coppelia very much recently, the ENB visit to Paris was good too, though many of the dancers interviewed have since left ENB. 

On 23/08/2021 at 01:41, jmhopton said:

Unfortunately I can't see many bookshops stocking it (their loss). I think even Waterstones said they would get it from the publisher, meaning you had to order it. However the ROH shop is stocking it when it reopens in September and if you're a Friend, presumably you can get your 10% off.

I was going to ask if the ROH Shop would be re-opening soon, I'll be able to take a look at it and get 10% discount, his reviews often made me laugh.

1. I can't remember the circumstances but it was last week's Friends booking, I usually omit the £3 but obviously didn't as I got thanked for it, perhaps you have to be more careful now!

2. I was firmly under the impression that you can get a Gift Certificate if you notify them within 24 hours, but on the day they don't try to resell tickets. This actually happened a few weeks ago for a seat that I was sure could be resold. I will be happy if they have re-instated this service.

3 hours ago, alison said:

BTW, is anyone finding the concept of actually booking for a Royal Opera House season, well, a bit strange now ...?

Yes, it did feel slightly unreal, and I was surprised at how easily I got the tickets I wanted for the main stage and the Linbury, I didn't try for the insights.

I've just booked 4 amphitheatre ballet tickets on a whim when I realised packages were available today, and I did get my favourite seats which I don't seem to these days. I was also able to use a Gift Certificate which lowered the price even more.

I suppose I can book the other performances I want when Friends booking opens on Tuesday?

Surprising how easy it was and great to get back in the swing!

I've never noticed this option, the only difference I saw this time was that Gift Certificates can be used to pay for memberships, but that might have been available before too. 

5 hours ago, fromthebalcony said:

I may take criticism for this, and I do not want to offend, but let me pose this question. If your favorite ballet company decided in their hiring practices to hire dancers based on skin color and not on talent (in other words, more dancers of color to fill a quota, but not necessarily talented), would you still pay the same price for a ticket? I believe we do a disservice to ballet (and to any industry) and to people of color if we initiate those hiring practices. As an aside, my children are minority children, and I would dislike them being hired in any capacity/profession because of the color of their skin, and not their expertise or talent. Let me also add that I am in agreement that La Bayadere can and should eliminate black face, but I am also capable of remembering the timeframe in which the ballets were choreographed. Many people do not take offense to Robbins' Fancy Free, finding the "pocketbook" scene all in good fun, and yet we know something like that would never be choreographed today. I cringe just a bit when watching that scene, yet I try to remember the time in which it was choreographed. At first viewing, I was aghast at MacMillan's The Judas Tree, that is until I was able to read the background notes on it. It remains very difficult to watch, but what do we end up with if we throw away everything someone deems "offensive?" 

I think we end up with fairy tales 🙂

I always remember the first time I saw The Judas Tree, I had "warned" my mum about it but she was completely unfazed, and sitting on my other side was an elderly lady, who at the end turned to me and said "Well, wasn't that different, well done".

The live Emerging Dancer Celebration streaming looks exciting and different, how lovely to be able to see Liam Scarlett's pdd from No Man's Land again, Junor Souza dancing it too.  Very generous of ENB to make this programme free, many heartfelt thanks!

I've just realised that tonight's Alice is Sarah Lamb, I saw her dance the role onstage but don't think I've seen this recording before, so something to look forward to.

I have always loved Jazz Calendar and don't think today's audience would find it old-fashioned at all. They danced it one on my birthday and Frederick Ashton came onstage at the end, superb!

I have the DVD, can't understand the crazy scenario, but there is some great dancing and acting, especially by Denis Savin, and a chance to see a young Natalia Osipova.  

I was under the impression when I applied, and there is nothing to show otherwise on the letter which was issued on 12th July, that there is no expiry date, it just gives details of what to do if I lose it. 

I was just looking at the Theatre Royal Brighton's website as the new Matthew Bourne ballet will be on there, and they are insisting on Covid Vaccination Passes for over 18's before entrance to a performance! In fact there are vast amounts of information as how to acquire one from the NHS (I already have a printed letter version in case this becomes a problem). This is the first time I've seen this, just the start of things to come.

Nice to get the Friends Magazine today, printed on good quality paper too unlike the general Season Guide, I much prefer looking through a magazine than scrolling screens. There are so many booking dates now, I'm seventh just in front of the general public. Some very tempting casts for Giselle, and I might even book for R and J with Naghdi/Muntagirov! 

On 18/07/2021 at 16:03, alison said:

 

I've moved the rest of the "pinging" discussion to its own separate thread:

 

I fear we're going to have a lot more to say on the subject, if the weekend's headlines are anything to go by

Yes, the next thing is a pingademic!

Bearing in mind lots of things could change by 7th September anyway, I've just bought a £60 ticket for £7 by using up some old Gift Certificates 😏 

I didn't know the fishdives dated from 1921, thanks for this interesting information. I watched the pdd last night and enjoyed the unhurried and gracious way Nunez/Muntagirov danced it.

I downloaded a photo today which is probably the ending of Anemoi you describe, very striking!