ellyb

Also agree that Act I was slightly underwhelming, but for me it definitely picked up in Act II. Clarke was was really quite brutal when rejecting the letter, and just horrible when tormenting Lensky. Which all made his transformation into a such a desperate, remorseful figure in Act III hit harder. I very much enjoyed his performance and how he changed over the course of the ballet as each event affected him. And of course it doesn't hurt that he looks so completely perfect for the part! Nunez was absolutely sensational; even though I know what's coming, I was physically moved by that final pas de deux and could absolutely feel her devastation. It's such a beautiful ballet and I'm so pleased it's back, looking forward to a few more this season.

Excellent news, though extremely overdue - so excited especially for her Odette/Odile, Giselle and Tatiana, and very much looking forward to her first Juliet as a principal.

Only one show for Melissa Hamilton again. Seems such a waste. Surprised and slightly disappointed that there aren't any new Juliets, and just the one new Romeo. Am looking forward to Kaneko/Muntagirov though, they were extremely well reviewed when they performed it overseas. O'Sullivan/Clarke might be interesting, and I'm very glad to see Naghdi/Ball back together. Shame Hamilton and Richardson aren't together as I absolutely loved their Manon, may have to see them separately. So I probably have enough casts to keep me going, maybe the lack of exciting young debuts isn't such a bad thing after all - at least for my bank balance!

Had to return my ticket as trains not running I really wish they would have each cast do at least one weekday, I know I'm not the only person whose weekend trains are unreliable. Extremely disappointed as I really wanted to see Pantuso. Very much hope she'll be cast again in the second run - on a weekday - but it's probably unlikely.

I'm pretty sure Gary Avis said last time that he wouldn't dance Gremin again.

That's true, I had forgotten... still interesting that Clarke will be with Nunez, I know they have done galas together but I think it's the first time they've been paired for a full-length at ROH? I may very well be wrong though. I know that last Onegin Nunez had Bolle, though I can't remember if she was actually cast with him or not? I had booked for Ospiova that night and found myself with Nunez/Bolle (not a bad replacement!), but I remember that it was pure chance he was in London preparing for something else and could stand in. I do hope Osipova's fit for summer as I've still not seen her Tatiana. In the meantime, I will happily see Nunez again, and definitely Ball/Naghdi.

Osipova also surprisingly absent, and her partner's with Nunez... very interested in the summer casting!

Stalls end of row 6 £106.24 (negotiable)

Row H, Seat 65 | Amphitheatre £75

Sorry, that was my idle speculation; I certainly wasn't trying to lead anyone down any sort of 'dangerous paths', just wondering whether the current focus on loaning out the principals might have something to do with what seems like a bizarre decision to limit notice of casting when they must be aware many, many people book their performances based on casting information. It was immediately debunked as a plausible explanation but I have also asked my post to removed. I appreciate I shouldn't post anything without solid evidence, I'll refrain in future and leave it to others with more expertise. Apologies for the inconvenience.

You're only getting some of it back in credit though, losing £4 a go is going to add up fast if you're having to buy for every performance and then return all the casts you don't want!

Might it have something to do with the dancers' preferences? Possibly they don't want to be tied in early to performances at ROH as they might miss a good gala or guesting? It does feel a bit like the RB is now more keen on promoting a global brand by sending its stars overseas than it is on giving a good showing to the locals - presumably not only the dancers make a good income from guesting but so does the ROH; I assume (though don't know) that they charge a great deal to loan out their top artists...? Hope they're not going down this route though, I'll also be cancelling membership if there's no casting.

Thank you so much for that @lady emily - I had to surrender my ticket at the last moment so very grateful I still get to see the send-off, even if I had to miss what I have no doubt was a wonderful performance. I take small comfort in knowing that had I been there I would have suffered with very sore hands and very red, swollen eyes! I do very much hope this isn't the last we see of him - he's a fabulous presenter so I'll be furious if he gives that up too!

Very reluctantly having to relinquish my ticket for Friday, if anyone's still looking - have listed it on ticket exchange forum.

Superb performance, very difficult to believe it was a debut - and very frustrating there was only one show which won't be repeated for three years. The whole cast was strong, Richardson was a wonderful Des Grieux; a slightly shaky start led to an absolutely heart-breaking finale and I can't wait to see how he develops. Hamilton is an absolutely phenomenal Manon, and I'm not sure anyone does Act III better. I do wish we could see more of her, and that she would get some classical principal roles - I would book her Odette in a heartbeat! Supporting cast also all extremely good, though unfortunately we had the same issue with the shorter Lescaut it didn't seem quite so noticeable as it has done previously. Hinkis brought personality to the Mistress and I felt Braendsrod has already improved enormously since his debut, he was very menacing. I must be in the minority in rather liking Christopher Saunders' GM, he's not as overtly gruesome as Avis' but I think he's all the more believable for that; he just seems to be a typical dirty rich old man, an awful everyman illustrating the fate of so many young women throughout history. I think that's something I take away from the best Manons, that she is just one of so very many - every woman that is at the brothel and who disembarks the ship has her own horror story of a man - or men - very like GM. Terrifying thought. As it turns out, this was to be my final Manon this season and feel I've finished on a high.