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annamk

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Posts posted by annamk

    Polunin/Kobborg to produce new Romeo & Juliet

    in Ballet / Dance news & information

    Posted

    9 hours ago, SwissBalletFan said:

    About the chip on my shoulder...There once was a time where the British vernacular, humour, wit and manners were a shining beacon, sadly ever more the beacon dims like a welcome lighthouse on your shores. Not only on this forum, but in politics, news and with Brexit. I much prefer the wit Oscar Wilde over boorish Nigel Farage humour.

     

    This is a ballet lovers forum so why do you think it is an appropriate place to make offensive and upsetting comments like this ? It is nothing to do with ballet, is not in the spirit of this site and it spoils the positive and courteous atmosphere that exists here. 

    • Like 3

    Bolshoi Ballet: Swan Lake, London 2019

    in Performances seen & general discussions

    Posted

    I've seen 2 more Swan Lakes both with the principal cast Stepanova/Ovcharenko. She has a curious history: having languished in the Mariinsky corps she made her way to the Bolshoi maybe 4 years ago (via a spell at the Stanislavsky). She joined the Bolshoi as a Soloist and was promoted straight to Principal not long after the last London tour. 

     

    Anyway, I enjoyed her performances, she is technically strong, her Odette has an attractive soulful quality and her Odile is steely. Unfortunately, she had to emote for two because her handsome partner was mostly rather blank. Maybe it was a conscious decision on Ovcharenko's part to interpret Siegfried as such or maybe he doesn't have much charisma, he certainly did not command the stage in any way yesterday evening. They did not seem well matched to me emotionally and physically was not ideal either as she is too tall for him on pointe. He has a good physique, a reasonably attractive line, he can jump and he lands softly but much of his dancing was actually quite muted, somehow lacking in energy and his black act solo on both occasions was sloppy with clumsy landings. 

     

    The corps and soloist performances were of a high standard and again I enjoyed all the national dances hugely. 

    • Like 5

    Bolshoi Ballet: Swan Lake, London 2019

    in Performances seen & general discussions

    Posted

    I went yesterday evening and to the matinee today. I remember really disliking the production last time so I was surprised to feel that, apart from the very dated sets and costumes, I enjoyed it. 

     

    I agree with Capybara's pluses above but not really about the central performances of the young couple this this afternoon which, unexpectedly, I enjoyed more than I did the first cast evening.

     

    IMO Tissi's height, long limbs and looks take him a long way in a ballet like Swan Lake. To me he looked elegant and commanding on stage and although his solos were certainly not executed at the level of say Vadim Muntagirov I thought his dancing was more than respectable, as was his partnering, excepting the high overhead lifts which were heroic (Kovalyova is 5ft 10"). He had a more vivid stage presence than that of Chudin on Friday evening who seemed rather oddly muted. Kovalyova is, I think, only 20 and her youth gives her an appealing vulnerability as Odette but her black act was impressively steely (unlike Smirnova who rather faded in the black act). The final scene was a highlight in Kovalyova's performance, she used her extraordinary body to show us Odette's sorrow & despair. Tissi's entrance at the lakeside was tremendous, reminding me of Bonelli in his prime (and no one ever ran on stage like Bonelli in that final scene).

     

    The corps were commendably synchronised although maybe they lack the lyricism of the Mariinsky. I was impressed with Zhiganshina in the pd3 and she, Vinogradova, and Severnard in the character dances. 

     

    I think Siegfried's choreography in this version requires incredible stamina. 

     

    The audience seemed very appreciative, the curtain calls were enthusiastic with many in the back part of the stalls standing. 

    • Like 6

    Who to see in RB Manon?

    in Performances seen & general discussions

    Posted

    There are a number of interesting Manons but they are generally not with a Des Grieux I find appealing. Morera/Bonelli is an exception and their short partnership has produced some of the most memorable performances of the last few years. I guess we aren’t  likely to see them together for much longer. 

    But I would also consider Cuthbertson/Ball. He is interesting, often surprising: his Mayerling debut was brilliant and the partnership w Cuthbertson worked superbly in Marguerite & Armand. 

     

    • Like 5

    The Mother by Arthur Pita at The Southbank Centre

    in Ballet / Dance news & information

    Posted

    I went to see this yesterday afternoon. 

     

    I hadn't planned to because I diliked The Wind and Run Mary Run but the Osipova film intrigued me so I booked a ticket offer. The hall was only about 2/3 full so I was able to move up and sit close to the stage. 

     

    I thought it was a very powerful, raw, intense and clever piece of dance theatre with strongly committed performances from Osipova and Goddard. 

     

    The Arts Desk & Telegraph reviews capture the essence of it very well. 

     

    I hope it will return, I'd definitely go and see it again. 

    • Like 6

    Royal Ballet Japan tour performances June 2019

    in Performances seen & general discussions

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Naomi M said:

     

    Yes they did have the full set. The stage of Tokyo Bunka Kaikan is relatively large. (a bit shallow though) 

     

    I do think should refrain from posting here because sorry I am a non-native English speaker and I am not so good in writing and occasionally got scolded for that. I thought it was popular to call the first two with their nicknames but I should refrain from that too. Sorry! 

     

     

    Please keep posting Naomi I love to read about performances in Japan. 

     

    The nicknames are popular and you’re not the first person to be scolded for using them :) 

    • Like 8
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