Beryl H

Firstly it was very exciting to see 7 new ballets in 2 nights, grateful that SFB didn't play safe but brought such contrasting works, I wasn't thrilled by all of them but certainly was by Raku and Within the Golden Hour in programme C, the dramatic artistry of Yuan Yuan Tan and Damian Smith, then one of Christopher Wheeldon's gems, I would love to see the RB acquire this one! I was really looking forward to Ghosts last night but strangely it didn't quite work, I think because I couldn't see through the bad lighting from higher up, shame because obviously there was some beautiful dancing, the highlight was Guide to Strange Places, crazy music but it was exciting! Lots of fantastic dancing throughout, special favourites were Gennadi Nedvigin, Joan Boada, Damian Smith, Vitor Luiz, and the wonderful Yuan Yuan Tan, Maria Kochetkova, Sarah Van Patten and Sofiane Sylve!

I had a long irritating experience this morning although the problem could be my computer or me, everything was okay except a recurring problem after clicking on "Buy", either the general plan came up and I could continue with "amphi" or it didn't, I just got a blank screen and had to try again and again, then I nearly ran out of time so had to go to the payment section quickly, then had to do another booking, took about 45 minutes. No other problems, the Rojo/Polunin performances were selling very quickly indeed had to pay a bit extra.

The Times today has reviews of SFB programmes A and B, 4 stars in general but says the second programme is stronger.

I'm very pleased to see ENB have announced casting as far ahead as January, actually just beating Friends booking for Covent Garden next week, nice to be able to book for both without dates clashing as would have happened!

Casting is available, access either from the SW home page or direct from SFB website.

Brighton Dome too, and something different

One reason I keep watching the much criticised W.E. is for the music,( actually I like the film too), Madonna wrote the end credits song but the rest is by Abel Korzeniowski, puts me in mind of The Piano, another great score.

That's interesting, can't remember the sequence now but my favourite pdd was the Stix-Brunell/Kish one. Liked the 10 minute live relay film too.

I must try to see this again when I come to London for SFB in September, I find the documentary good too, I see more in Machina (Ed Watson's antler arm movements) each time, and Alistair Marriott and Christopher Wheeldon did work literally together on everything in Trespass, which I had thought was likely. There is also a 3 minute film from the National Gallery online telling the legend in a modern setting, very atmospheric.

I'd like to see a completely different version of Ondine to the same music, hope they will bring it to Sadler's Wells next year.

The Times reviewed it on Monday and was generally favourable, I must say I have been editing my recording and got it on 2 discs now and each time it gets better, usually a good sign, I now have about 90 minutes of an exciting concert culminating of course in the ballet!

I've noticed on several of these live BBC concerts that the sound isn't brilliant, volume has to be turned up a lot, I imagine it improves if you buy the DVD. Thought the ballet wasn't too bad at all, must have been a scary ride for Darcey Bussell at the start though, finished with a good pose as the men lifted her. BTW if anyone wants to see or record the opening ceremony it is repeated this Saturday BBC1 at 1pm-3.45pm

I thought the audience behaviour was irritating at the 3 performances I went to last week, people in front of me spoilt 2 of the 3 by continually sitting forward, moving about, fiddling with mobile phones , dashing to the toilet mid-performance, etc. Also not much applause, dancers had to hurry off (they got better at this as it went on), and the decision to have a pause only between acts 1 and 2 was a disaster too, they could have made an announcement. It was a very special time though, travelling around London I couldn't stop smiling and was caught up in the carnival atmosphere, never experienced anything like it! As to the ballet itself, I liked the production, costumes and scenery, but thought the lighting could have been stronger, at least I saw the 3 casts I booked for and really enjoyed them, it was a pleasure to see Anais Chalendard /Junor Souza and Begona Cao/Estaban Berlanga, but found myself appreciating the artistry and experience of Fernanda Oliveira and Dimitri Gruydzev most.

Thought the evening as a whole was marvellous, the BBC highlights programme before captured the mounting exhilaration , the actual ceremony went on too long (like the opening) I seemed to like the stars who were not there (John Lennon, David Bowie, Kate Bush, Freddie Mercury )more than those present but I gave up at 11.15, look foward to actually seeing Darcey Bussell and others tonight in my recording, glad she did take part. ,

I wish I had Janet's memory too it was a long time ago and I've seen so many Swan Lakes, I've seen several productions with the prologue but only one with an epilogue!

I have a DVD of the Natalia Makarova Swan Lake for ENB which also includes the Ashton pas de quatre, one of the girls is Leanne Benjamin. I like the prologue of Odette's transformation into swan, I have seen an epilogue when all the swans and Odette turn back into girls in long dresses, think it was Bouremeister's version for the Stanislavsky, makes sense!

Agree ENB need to provide casting much, much earlier, we all know it can and probably will change but the RB are prepared to announce it ages in advance and genuinely do their best to stick to it!

Many thanks John, this is the cast I am most looking forward to next week!

Likewise I loved the opening rural scene and the transformation into the industrial age, Kenneth Branagh, the forging of the olympic rings, then especially the James Bond film and entrance of the Queen, but agree those were the best bits, although the Chariots of Fire film was funny. Didn't think much of the pop music section, extracts were too short to enjoy, but liked the up-tempo feel to the parade, although I wanted to see the GB team I was too tired and gave up at 11pm!

I notice there have been cast changes: 7 August Cao/Berlanga 11 Aug.matinee Chalendard/Vargas 11 Aug.evening Takahashi/Konvalina Doesn't mention Rothbart.

Thought this was an excellent film all round, gained lots of insights, like Machina more now I can see it properly, did anyone spot themselves? I thought I may have been in view when Christopher Wheeldon was filmed after the first night, but don't think I was. It must have looked great on HD, not bad on digital actually.

I'd like to see Bugaku danced again, I've seen it at the ROH but think it was during a visit by NYCB, another Balanchine I'd like to see is La Sonnambula, LFB used to dance this, it's a costume, story ballet so would be popular.

The larger W.H.Smith shops sell The Dancing Times, also Dance Europe.