Suffolkgal

Slightly off topic but on the subject of dancers doing “their own thing”. Guillem really split opinion i remember with her extensions and so on - in my head especially in Giselle? It never did anything for me but some people hugely admired it all ...

I know Eagling spotted Muntagirov’s star quality immediately... I suppose there’s always a balance to be struck with adding to a company... heights, lack of height, strengths, whom else you have, what ballets need to be done, who needs to be partnered? I always remember in Lynn Seymour’s autobiography, devastated when assigned to the opera ballet, wondered if musical comedy beckoned, Madam told her anxious mother they wanted to strengthen her feet and legs. But this is an interesting topic ... I was a devoted follower of the company when Dowell was director and remember the outcomes for some of the male dancers then - or at least what they perceived. I don’t want to open that can of worms I just mention it because this is an art form, and a gathering of creative people. We all react in different ways... there are dancers mentioned on the forum, clearly loved and rightly so, that I would never choose to see. That’s just my preference it doesn’t mean they are not great ...

I’ve also loved this partnership in DQ and other ballets... and was hoping for Manon ... actually more Hayward in Manon as I think in the more contemporary works those two are perfect. But ... there was some lovely clips from the summer touring of naghdi with Bracewell ... I don’t want to sound like an aged Pollyanna but we’re so lucky to have all these options.

I think sadly that with protests from all sorts of groups under way there needs to be added security and protection.

Fascinating to watch class but those subtitles do show the limits of AI ..

Don’t be hard on yourself I’m sure we all understand! I’m so stressed about the only Dante Project with WB I can make as it will involve buses and I’ll have to leave at the second interval. Just waiting for the next strike! Suffolk is not far from London but honestly public transport can be a struggle. I hope you feel better now and you know we are all so very sorry this happened

I saw Peter schaufuss in this must have been a tour of enb when was festival at Norwich. I think. We’re talking 50 years ago

Speaking as someone who lives in deep dark Suffolk, being able to get an earlier train home would be ace. Appreciate issue for people whose working lives don’t allow a quick get away. I work too but fortunately can be a bit flexible if I need to get away

Totally random but sort of connected.. pronunciation... I’ve heard people say don keehott don keyhote and don keehotay with the last syllable short or long. What do we reckon? I sat next to a Spanish lady who was on the phone in the interval and she said don kheehoteh. So guessing that’s right? I just really want to know! And thanks so much for the joyous pics they’ll all be at it now. Hugs are relatively recent I think and now it will be leaps!

I don’t do selfies but I did take a pic of mr b after Cinderella... have many of mr eagling and also mr mukhamedov and loads of lovely dancers of days past - some were sadly taken from us in the 80s. Overall I think it’s a jolly and supportive way to finish a lovely experience...

For what it’s worth - I started stage dooring in 1981 with a group of people who were long-term and valued supporters of the dancers and company and became dear friends of mine. Some struck up true friendships with dancers over the years and I think because they never overstepped the bounds... stayed respectful, kept a physical and every other kind of distance. Left time for them to get to the tube or car park (used to be in bow street). Flower throws for debuts and retirements... i think most artists are happy to meet those who admire them as long as boundaries are observed. I have also always thought (seeing some people burbling on about their own lives and troubles) ... you’re waiting to see them! Not the other way around ...

My apologies if this is elsewhere please feel free to delete if it is ... but just reading the obituary of the great critic who has died at 96. Fascinating life and career I’m sure will be in the links but thought I’d flag

Thankyou... that’s one talented family!

I do get that about Albrecht and Myrtle but for me the story is that Giselle keeps him going as her love has transcended the grave?

Oh well good for him but sort of agree SC! Also now remembering Wayne Sleep breaking the record for the number of crossed feet in an entrechat on a TV show must have been record breakers! I think this all feeds into the endless clapping within variations and so on which is part of how things go in Russia but I could do without although I did burst into spontaneous applause for kaneko and Bracewell yesterday as they spun and spun! I suppose the saddest thing is it may be years before we in London are able to see these dancers ....

Got to say - that arabesque before the variation! It was the whole package from those two yesterday afternoon and nifty dancing from everyone else too! But I still don’t really like the ballet but I like the dancing in it. Think I’d better lie down now!

Absolutely I so agree ...

Yes some lovely performances this afternoon and much evident joy on stage which is always so infectious. Not my favourite ballet though I may be a bit jaded but some of it - mime and so on and the y viva espana sections - left me feeling a bit like I always do 20 minutes into nutcracker when it’s the “old” people dancing. However this is not to distract from the passion and talent on stage! Vadim M signing copies of his book this afternoon as mentioned elsewhere but as always no jollies like that or stage dooring as trains calling! I hope the run continues injury free for everyone in our lovely company and that those injured swiftly recover ...

Very little does... massive reductions for big shows all over the place

Unrelated to this ballet but both Eagling and Mukhamedov were masters of the throw and catch! But yes it just depends on the dancers and also maybe how the partner feels

All agreed re Bracewell- very excited for Don Q but way way more excited for Des Grieux!

Also received this too! Mind you day on day I have emails with offers on shows.

I’m such a committed amphi regular for so many decades I bit the bullet and booked a couple of rear amphi seats for Manons. Cannot believe the cost. At the moment I am employed but nearing retirement in a few years so not sure have many more years of regular ballet going!

And apart from the strikes the engineering works... I’ve found getting to Dante on a late November Saturday (possibly a day people might want to get there for lights/shopping?) ... two trains and two replacement buses to get there and... I’ll have to miss the final act or creep out to get home as the last train isn’t running ... either way I try and go it’s buses and lengthy delays...

When you read the synopsis you realise once more this is a truly daft ballet! All about the performances though ...