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Beryl H

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Everything posted by Beryl H

  1. Beryl H
    Funny how we make our own scenario. I've never read the poem and don't intend to but I liked the ending, to me he was saying "who needs people when you have New York"
  2. Beryl H
    The Dutch National Ballet in July (Cinderella) is at the Coliseum and seems well booked although probably SW only has a small proportion, couldn't access the Coli website for error messages, so went ahead and booked through SW, also got 1 ENB even though no casting is available, in order to get the 20% discount.
  3. Beryl H
    I had a chance to take a longer look yesterday and it does seem as though the amphi terrace facing south (not the extended restaurant side) will have space for people to walk about, the picture shows it being open to the far end which is now sectioned off, with people standing, and underneath it said there will be space for people who like taking refreshments outside, so I feel more hopeful now, and it can't be that difficult to have open/shut panels for weather adjustment, I was the only person out there early last night and it was a bit wet
  4. Beryl H
    Well, I had expected to be the odd one out, and am in one respect, but agree quite a disappointing triple bill, saw it twice yesterday and it's probably not one to see again so soon, disliked Ceremony and Age of Anxiety in the afternoon, but loved Aeternum which seemed like a masterpiece by comparison, agree that Claire Calvert danced with a beautiful sensitivity, also Ryoichi Hirano, Eric Underwood and Marcelino Sambe were excellent, great music and designs too. In the evening I warmed a little to Ceremony, think the lights had been turned up just the slightest, someone had indeed put a few pennies in the meter, the music sounded better too, and of course Ed Watson, Christina Arestis and Marcelino Sambe helped, really liked the video projections which did seem overall the best aspect of this ballet, had read the programme too. Didn't like The Age of Anxiety again, the real problem for me was the lack of decent choreography, everyone had short bursts of action but there were no pas de deux or solo's to remember, apart from the one for Federico Bonelli or Tristan Dyer at the end when he had the whole stage to himself, bathed in glorious light (this ballet had gloomy under-lit moments too). Didn't particularly like the music, and the humour didn't work for me either, but Sarah Lamb looked very glamorous in the afternoon. Managed to stick the 30 minutes interval out to see Aeternum, great to see Nehemiah Kish again, also Marienela Nunez and Federico Bonelli were very moving in the pdd, noticed the girls had slightly different costumes, Claire Calvert had the best one, Marienela's is a bit too stark.
  5. Beryl H
    I remember thinking the pdd at the end of Aeternum was very emotional, it seemed to be about forgiveness and redemption after war, there's a rehearsal photo of Marienela Nunez and Federico Bonelli in The Times today.
  6. Beryl H
    What depresses me most is that the combination of old and new which was such a success when the ROH opened will get lost in a mass of restaurants, tea-rooms, cafes, and what-not, at least now you can still get a feel of the history of the place, especially on the amphitheatre terrace with that wonderful view over the market. There did seem to be an open section left in the middle, with both ends glazed over, but will you have to buy food and drink to get onto it? And does the Floral Hall stay the same? Think the new cloakroom in the amphitheatre will be for the restaurant not theatre goers, but we will see. Think it's deliberate only putting the plans up for a short while, quite a clever move. This talk of it being open for the people is all very well, but most of them won't be able to afford the ticket prices anyway.
  7. Beryl H
    I was pleased and relieved to see Roberto Bolle last night, I have fond memories of him and Darcey Bussell dancing together, didn't think he would dance but he did and looking as good as ever, Zenaida Yanovsky gave an almost scary risk taking performance, at the end I wasn't sure if the pain was real or just her extraordinary acting, I can't take any more Manons like this, wonderful way to end the run!
  8. Beryl H
    Southern Railways have been a complete pain these last few weeks, taking to doing engineering works on Monday to Wednesday nights, and getting earlier each week, yesterday was a rare treat to get a normal journey and a Saturday too! As Alison says, keep checking, Saturday 8th November has problems on the West Coastway, although Brighton to Victoria should be okay.
  9. Beryl H
    Thought Natalia Osipova and Carlos Acosta were beautiful together last night, he acted more than I have ever seen from him as Des Grieux and I realised it was probably his last Manon, at the very end I couldn't watch through opera glasses, it was too sad, also Natalia Osipova was such a frail little waif in the last act clinging to life it was almost unbearable and the gaoler scene seemed even more violent than usual. Far from Osipova needing to lessen her acting I thought the entire cast upped theirs, even the second act was fascinating (I tend to switch off sometimes here), everyone seemed really tipsy which I suppose they were supposed to be, great trio of Hristov, Dyer and Zuchetti too. I think Natalia Osipova, like Alina Cojocaru, really lives the character through the 3 hours, and doesn't just dance it, I've read Natalia Makarova started to become Manon days before the performance! Have now seen four performances of different but equal greatness, can Saturday's make it five in a row, I don't mind, I just want to see Roberto Bolle at the ROH again!
  10. Beryl H
    I had to miss month in the Country due to train problems but I wasn't sorry to walk out on the 30 minute interval after the 19 minute ballet, ranting over, I have another chance to see Natalia Osipova dance soon and imagine she gives a very personal interpretation of the role, more Russian and dramatic. I've never warmed to Scenes de Ballet in the past but last night I enjoyed the partnership of Choe and Zuchetti, he looked very serious in this and Symphonic Variations, quite a night for him! The four men were good too. On the other hand I always love the Brahms Waltzes and thought Romany Pajdak was a beautiful younger Isadora, she has the right soft style. Symphonic Variations looked sublime as usual, I'm enjoying seeing so many new dancers in roles.
  11. Beryl H
    I took a look at this book recently and it is an ideal present, beautifully produced, might buy it for myself, I am between 3-83.
  12. Beryl H
    Yes, I was completely overwhelmed by Edward Watson last night, he must have been inspired by Francesca Hayward to go to new heights, the last pdd was one of the best I've ever seen, thrilling dancing and partnering and he never stopped acting for a second! I think he has a new Mary Vetsera.
  13. Beryl H
    I saw Melissa Hamilton and Matthew Golding dance together in GDV and thought they looked stunning and well-matched, so eagerly booked to see them, considering this was their debut and their only public performance, they were extraordinarily good, especially in the last act, I've never seen a last act of Manon (or Mayerling) that didn't work, and this was up there with the best! I even stayed for all the curtain calls, which nearly deafened me as I had a group of very excited screaming girls behind me, and they weren't the only ones, not something you usually hear these days at the ROH.
  14. Beryl H
    Saw Manon for the first time in this run last night and what a wonderful one it was, glad others feel the same because I have never seen Des Grieux danced with such clarity, beauty of line, elegance, and something extra which I can't explain, (like seeing a painting which has been restored) as Vadim Muntagirov did, lovely gentle and secure partnering too! It certainly brought out the best in Sarah Lamb. she glowed throughout (I felt so sorry for Lauren Cuthbertson though if she was watching) Also glad to see Valentino Zucchetti cope very well in a nasty role, and Yuhui Choe was new to me too as Lescaut's mistress, liked her. I still find act 2 the weakest and become a bit bored, the music can be sluggish too in the new orchestration (but I like the new sad prelude to the gaoler scene), all these things were forgotten though as soon as soon as Vadim Muntagirov danced, lucky Sarah Lamb to get to dance with probably the best two Des Grieux in the Company at the moment!
  15. Beryl H
    I've just read this, I think I would be too nervous to watch the double debut on Tuesday, but will be seeing them on the 15th, hope all goes well and there will be some photos somewhere.
  16. Beryl H
    Yes that's a good idea, it is having to go down to Littlehampton and back that takes the time, it's a nice ride through the Sussex countryside during the daytime but deadly late at night. I've always loved Arundel but that's another awkward journey, I still have to go via Littlehampton, bus or train!
  17. Beryl H
    I think this Season is starting and finishing a little earlier than usual, ballet often continues until at least mid June.
  18. Beryl H
    Well, after booking I thought I'd look up the trains and I know that you live near Brighton too, there seems to be no train service between Three Bridges and Brighton, so it's either train to Three Bridges and railway bus to Victoria, or go the long way via Littlehampton, which is probably better for me as I live in Portslade, I already have the evening booked too, so it's going to be one of those days! The good news is that the matinee starts at 2.30pm and the evening at 7pm.
  19. Beryl H
    I can't get the original "manonreturns" offer when I sign in as a Friend, but I can when not signed in, so presume this was never intended for Friends, it does say "intro offer" so not for those who already have tickets? I do appreciate people putting the information up on this website though, I'm just shocked at all the unsold amphi seats especially as this is the 40 year anniversary.
  20. Beryl H
    I'm so glad you posted this as I had been wanting to see the Shadows of War programme and had completely overlooked that it was on at SW, although it will be another very busy week I can just fit in the Saturday matinee before going to the ROH!
  21. Beryl H
    I wondered if all these exciting casts would actually happen and am sorry to hear about the first (and hopefully last) change, another problem with Manon being so undersold, especially the amphi, is that there will be little chance of handing in a ticket for resale, though perhaps all the offers will change that! Also wondering about the wisdom of Lauren Cuthbertson doing all performances of the Brahms Waltzes.
  22. Beryl H
    Thanks for these details, I was really surprised at how many seats remain in the amphi for most nights, except the Osipova/Acosta ones, I wonder if the Acosta Lescaut performances will sell out now too?
  23. Beryl H
    Has anyone else noticed that the girl's solo (Yuhui Choe) is omitted, I saw all 3 peformances of this cast and I thought that on opening night Yuhui Choe danced it, but the second time she didn't and I thought perhaps she was slightly injured, and again she didn't dance it the cinema night (now the DVD). Did anyone see different casts, was it danced then? She does dance a small solo at the start of the coda but not the full one.
  24. Beryl H
    I can't see this anywhere else so am posting here, the ROH will be streaming (via YouTube) Saturday 6th September live from the Linbury, Sampling the Myth, at 6.50pm, watchable from anywhere worldwide.
  25. Beryl H
    I watched parts of the Cojocaru/Kobborg Cinderella( which I recorded from TV) yesterday and must say it looked charming after the Mariinsky version, don't like the way the Sisters have become overplayed and vulgar though (Wayne Sleep and Anthony Dowell), but Ashton's ballet brings out the beauty of the music, I love the section from Cinderella's second solo, fairy godmother's solo, the Seasons variations and waltz, to the end of the act, an Ashton gem, it restored my faith in the ballet! I don't particularly like the pantomime dame tradition but it's preferable to anything else I've ever seen for the Ugly Sisters, Frederick Ashton himself was rather sweet as the timid one.
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