Linnzi5

Yes. I think her debut was in 2019 with Reece Clarke?

Sorry, @Emeralds - crossposted!

He was when I looked earlier.

Don’t feel guilty. I think, though it’s sad that dancers cannot dance (for whatever reason) when they’re scheduled to, that it’s ok to feel the replacement dancer is an excellent or exciting choice. This has happened to me before. It’s also happened the other way too. It’s the nature of live performance, I think. I’d think that if tomorrow is being filmed as a back-up, that it could be an issue if Cuthbertson isn’t dancing tomorrow but is next week. I always presumed that the back-up is so that can be broadcast if something awful happens technically? I suppose the casting is always subject to last minute changes anyway?

Wow! There are a lot of cast changes. I hope, if injured, the dancers recover quickly and if not, that they are ok.

I agree. In SL, I don't think the virtuoso moments in the dancing are without virtue - they make sense in the narrative. There are some other works where I feel it is just about the fireworks and those are not the ones I enjoy most - just personal taste, I think. Edit: What I mean is, I can see why the virtuosic choreography is warranted and makes sense, but it isn't vital for me if it's not there. I love the fouettés and have been spellbound by some of them, but if they go wrong or there's a slip, it's not the end of the world for me. If someone modified them, I wouldn't mind.

I feel the same way. The virtuosic moves can be thrilling but are short-lived for me. I can take or leave them and it’s more the emotional aspect of dancing and the connection between the dancers and the connection with me personally that leave a lasting impact on me. Virtuosic dancing is generally not what I look for in dancers. In SL, I love the fireworks in Act III - I absolutely was thrilled with what I saw in the two performances I have seen so far, yet I left both performances feeling moved by the Act II PDD, the beautiful corps (who were just so breathtaking, stunning and moving) and I loved the PDD between Odette and Siegfried in Act IV.

Every performance I've ever been to of SL in recent years, has had VR receiving good-hearted boos. Same for Carabosse. I was under the impression the dancers quite like it. I don't remember it happening more than about 10 years ago though. So I do think it's reasonably new?

Thanks. I do vaguely remember something about Don Q.

Ah. They may have been. Have they been cast in anything else? I can't recall seeing them together.

One would like to think people know how to behave, but so often these days (no matter if it's the ballet, theatre or indeed, cinema) they do not, unfortunately. Anyway, back to SL. I am sad to have read upthread that Anne Rose O'Sullivan is unable to perform in SL - I really hope her injury isn't too bad. Has Magri ever danced with Sambè before - not in SL, I don't think?

I don't want to derail the thread and only mentioned my annoyance at the distractions as it impacted by SL viewing. However, I will say that I disagree with you on your point. The people I talked about were tourists and may never have been to the ballet, so didn't understand it's not like the cinema. It wasn't a criticism of them, I just wondered if they thought it was ok to chat etc. Mods - please feel free to move my posts to the appropriate thread if this is considered too off topic. Thank you

I thought it was Scarlett? But I could be entirely wrong! I absolutely love that bit and think it's so clever that the scenery changes at that point.

I have to say, this is the first time that teenagers/children have not behaved that well at a performance I've attended at ROH. I've been to many performances with much younger children who have always been impeccably behaved. @Fonty The father did nothing - just ignored the son who was being silly, or held his arm across the older son, who was in between them, or spoke back to him. The family were not speaking English, so possibly they didn't understand how to conduct themselves at ROH? Or maybe they were just not very considerate people. They didn't return after the first interval, so I was very relieved! The issue I particularly had is that the boys' antics disturbed me as they were directly in my field of vision and I ended up being irritated and then distracted, especially in the beautiful Act II PDD. For this reason, I slightly preferred the performance on 15th March, though otherwise it was as beautiful as the previous one and in fact, some bits I liked better. I generally have been very lucky at ROH, though the odd mobile phone has been out, otherwise I can't complain.

Oh no! How annoying. How strange. Sorry you had to swap trains and then it was really full - that's horrible! No idea why the trains are going via Stratford, though that has been happening a lot recently. Glad you got there. I always get off at Tottenham Hale and then change from the Victoria line to the Piccadilly at Finsbury Park now - I mean, seriously, why didn't I know that was so much easier than going to King's Cross?! 😂 I hope you get the delay compensation, though applying for it is so long-winded (well it has been for me) I almost didn't think it was worth the effort! Sorry you've lost your gloves. I lost mine walking around Marks and Spencer's in the colder weather. The weird thing is, nobody handed them in! Why anyone would want my gloves is beyond me. I hope you enjoy tonight. Is it Nunez and Muntagirov? If it is, I know you will have a wonderful time, as they are amazing!

How frustrating. I had an issue with two teenage boys in front of me on Thursday night - one playing on his mobile phone, arm-wrestling his brother, talking to his dad who was two seats away . . . it was very distracting, though a lady next to the lad asked him to put his phone away, well, told him to - I was pleased she did! I did speak to a member of staff in between acts 2 and 3 and she was amazing - kept coming over to speak to the people and when they didn't arrive, kept checking and then spoke to me. I was very impressed and delighted when the annoying people didn't return for the last two acts. I had a great view, but the boys (about 15 and 17 I'd guess, so should have known better, but clearly didn't want to be there) were very irritating and kept distracting me. So, I feel your pain with audience members getting in the way of the view!

The corps were just stunning. They mesmerised me. Such control and each dancer showed such control and beauty. Lol at the tambourine. I really feel nervous when they are thrown - I just don't know how they catch them, or don't in this case! I didn't realise Isabella Gasparini danced the Neapolitan Dance. Madison Bailey was amazing, so I hope she's ok. Technical fireworks are not important to me, so I'm with you on this. I was so impressed with Will Bracewell though - he gave me everything I expected and more - he is unique, as far as I'm concerned. As for Fumi? She is just one of a kind, too. Together? I don't know what it is. The chemistry they have is undefinable. But, I think they have something so rare and perfect. I feel so lucky!

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that How did you miss some?

She so would! She is a minx - quite honestly, she'd have him for breakfast! He is so lovelorn and she is just super calculating - she knows how appealing she is and uses it to her advantage. I have to say, I think Fumi's Odile is my favourite ever.

I am so jealous! I just can't get enough of their Siegfried and Odette/Odile.

I am envious of those who attended today's matinee. If it wasn't for family commitments, I would have loved to have been there. I thought the last two Will/Fumi performances were incredible - out of this world. I haven't talked about last Thursday as I have been too busy to really do it. However, both Fumi and Will were amazing (as was the whole cast!) Have to say that Leo Dixon seemed much more confident on Thursday and I really, really liked his Benno. I don't see much point in saying how impressed I was with Will Bracewell - it's kind of a given that I think he's amazing. I do think that he has improved dramatically technically (his solos were excellent in every way) and his Siegfried has such a sadness to him and then a complete wonder as he falls for Odette. He is helpless when with Odile as she mesmerises him and manipulates. As for Fumi. She really is a superstar. I can't fault her. Her technique is flawless and her acting is just amazing. I must mention her Odile again - she is so cold, icy, manipulative, calculating but very sensual too - she toys with Siegfried, like a cat playing with a mouse. I loved her in that role and felt she brought a refreshing extra dimension to it. She can do no wrong in my eyes. As for Fumi's fouettés - wow, she is unbeatable, in my eyes. Fumi and Will's chemistry is something unique in my eyes. They have something that I think is really special. I feel so lucky to have seen them twice together and do hope they will be cast together again. All in all, I had a brilliant time on Thursday (except for annoying teenagers in front of me, who fortunately left before the last two acts). I hope those able to attend today enjoy SL as much as I did

Indeed. I have no words.

I noticed that too

Not really, I’m afraid 😢 I could walk to and from Liverpool Street but am not keen walking there after the performance has finished. I would be getting a later train home than I would like. I will research to see if there is another way that is feasible.

Yes. Just noticed I had been emailed the casting. Very interesting. Two of the performances I booked have casts I’m particularly interested in. The other two I’ve booked I’ll think about.