annamk

All tickets now taken.

Ticket taken.

Perfect

£6 it'a an eticket.

“Overture” that’s the word I was looking for yes it was deadening ....

It's funny you should say that because I thought the orchestra started very slowly and somewhat tentatively but then I was so swept up in the drama of the performances I completely forgot about it. I share other posters mixed feelings about the staging, on the one hand the stage does look a bit empty and I don't love the costumes,, on the other hand it can make me feel the RB version looks overly fussy. But as with issues with the music when the central performances are so powerful I forget about it. I have found the two performances by this partnership quite exceptional. It's not only that they are physically well suited, I feel that temperamentally they respond perfectly to each other - they have same level of commitment if that makes sense, so neither is overwhelmed by the other. Begona Cao's Manon is one of the few I've seen who is utterly convincing in her initial attraction to Des Grieux, and Aitor Arrieta falls for her hook, line and sinker, the intensity between them is incredibly powerful. Her dancing is throughout is beautifully light, fluid and sensuous. The choreography made on Dowell is challenging for any dancer and more so for one as tall and long limbed as Arrieta, but he made a powerful impression in his solos and his line is a thing of real beauty. Even more remarkable was his partnering which for a young dancer (not even one schooled in MacMillan) was exceptionally good, he had the confidence to throw caution to the wind and in this he was no doubt aided enormously by Begona Cao's experience. Excellent supporting performances from Ken Saruhashi, Crystal Costa, and Junor Souza. Great to see the Coliseum packed - even if it was with half price tickets - and the audience were hugely appreciative.

Sorry these have gone.

I have left only 1/4 D45

Yes they are available, I've sent you a private message.

The following are now taken 27/2 D7 30/3 D44 1/4 D44

In the Clore F16 & F17 £14 each. E-tickets.

27/2 eve D6, D7 25/3 eve D50 30/3 mat D44,D45 1/4 eve D44, D45 All e tickets £10 each

Ha ! exactly my thoughts

Not even Bracewell I'm afraid

Thank you again for another interesting review Irmgard, I agree with all your words about Sunday. This was my favourite performance of the 5 I saw and If I had realised what a superb partnership this would be I would certainly have gone to Bristol too !

I was going to ask Irmgard that question because I thought ENB ACT IV was Ashton but when I watched some of what I thought was the Aston Act IV (old RB Makhraova/Dowell recording) it looked a bit different from what I've seen at ENB - for example, the corps weren't in single large circular formation just before Siegfried's entrance) instead they're in those little circular groupings like the old Dowell version for the RB. Irmgard or anyone else ?

I can't match your descriptive powers Irmgard, I can only say that I feel the performance today must have been as exceptional today as the one you saw.

Another outstanding Swan Lake last night. I don't know how the company can dance so many performances in a week and retain such freshness, commitment and energy. Cojocaru and Cirio told the narrative with more care and conviction than I've seen before, it was quite exceptional and very moving. I think Cojocaru has always had an aura about her: something poignant, fragile and vulnerable (perhaps why she's one of the best Giselle and Manon) , and my friend and I said we always thought of her as a more natural Odette but last night her Odile was playing so audaciously with Cirio I now think she is equally at ease in both roles. Cirio's dancing was again stunning, in the Act 3 scene where he dances with the 6 brides he threw off 3 such perfect tours (think Muntagirov or Semyon Chudin) I could have cried ! I really hope he stays at ENB for a long time. Being picky, I would say that Cojocaru has to work against her size as a Swan Queen and that she is no longer possessed of quite the steely technique of the very top principal dancers. But frankly she has so much else to give that you realise it doesn't matter a jot. The ENB orchestra, when conducted by Gavin Sutherland as they were again last night, bring the score vividly to life they deserved the huge ovation. Yesterday the lights barely went up between Acts 1 & 2 and as a result there was far less talking when the orchestra starting playing again. All round a perfect evening.

Cojocaru delivered 32 neat singles, no problem. I assume it was 32 although I don't actually count but she finished on the music so I kind of presumed it was.

There are a lot of performances - a whopping 17 ! I like Don Q but I don't like this production; IMO in trying to make it more real and human, Acosta has sadly managed to make it pretty tedious, it really drags in places, how can you do that to Don Q ? Only the debuts attracted me to buy tickets and now the most exciting of all - Corrales - is off

I am love love loving this run of Swan Lakes I think the production is sublime : from the score, to the absence of the annoying Benno and his annoying friends, to the ending as it should be, and to exquisite choreography, particularly in Act 4 - I am stunned by the beauty of the corps forming what looks like a giant flower petal before Siegfried runs on distraught. I saw two casts so far and there is plenty to admire at all levels of the company. I knew Cirio was an excellent dancer but given his height and having seen him recently as a very mean Lescaut I had wondered whether his Siegfried would be princely enough. I need not have worried, what he lacks in height he more than makes up for in everything else: beauty of line (funny how this isn't actually the preserve of the taller dancer), elegance, precise dancing, light landings, charm and tons of commitment. A terrific performance and his control in the Act 1 adagio solo sent me straight home to buy a ticket for his Des Grieux. I wasn't quite so bowled over by Cojocaru's Odette/Odile, there was nothing wrong, it was a lovely performance but I wasn't moved and I wanted to be but it didn't happen. Maybe it was me, maybe it was where I was sitting. Notable also in that performance was McCormick in the pd3, Arrieta in the Spanish, Costa & Drummond in the Neapolitan. The ensemble and corps dancing all looked well coached and tidy, and both nights the Cygnets were properly co-ordinated. I don't know if it's me but the orchestra does seem to take some sections at great pace which is a positive as far as I'm concerned. Yesterday evening saw the partnership of Hawes/Arrieta. I haven't seen her in principal role before and I was surprised how tall she was, although I think a taller dancer has an inherent majesty that works for me as a Swan Queen. I wasn't sure about Hawes in Act 2, nothing wrong just nothing outstanding either. Her Odile though was terrific - okay she didn't quite make 32 fouettés but everything else was commendable. In Act 4 I found her incredibly moving with some moments of real poetry in her dancing. I always book for Arrieta's performances, for me he's one of those dancers who has everything: he's tall, elegant with a fine line, he dances beautifully, he partners well and he has a charming presence. He ticked all these boxes last night and his account of the black act variation with his tidily landed tours would put many more senior dancers to shame. Hawes/Arrieta had great chemistry, displaying heartfelt tenderness towards each other in Act 4 and Arrieta rivals my memories of Bonelli, the absolute master, in the last desperate run of Siegfried on stage in Act 4 (although sadly the new RB version has toned that down). The pd3 was beautifully danced with great charm by Kanehara, Khaniukova and Woolhouse, never stepping over into unnecessary showiness.

I only saw the rehearsal so far but I completely agree with you about the comparison with the RB Swan Lake - which I also enjoyed at the time. The RB production may have gained glossy sets but it has lost the heart and soul of the ballet - if only Scarlett had left the choreography and the ending alone

If anyone has a ticket they can't use for 8/1 or 12/1 please message me. Any part of the theatre. Thank you

D46 now spoken for.

Will return to the BO shortly.