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jmhopton

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  1. jmhopton
    Had to go back 3 pages to find this thread! Sunday 28th April (tomorrow) SkyArts 6-6.10am Arts Uncovered: Ballet Black Sunday 28th April SkyArts 6.10-8.30am RB La Bayadere. Says it's Carlos, Tamara and Marianela but could easily be Vadim/Marianela/Osipova.
  2. jmhopton
    I much prefer the earlier Northern Ballet version from 1990. I seem to remember the set from the second act seeming to step straight out of a Romantic painting; very Casper David Friedrich and so atmospheric. I remember it especially as I saw the Kirov ballet (as they were then) perform it in Manchester a few months later. It was the first time I saw the Kirov and I thought Northern Ballets production was far better.
  3. jmhopton
    Unfortunately too late for next season with the new season being revealed so soon. However, if there is no triple to offset Cinderella may consider suggesting it for the following season (along with my plea for Vadim to have some matinées!) Not that I'm sure Kevin is interested in my opinions but it makes me think at least I've tried.
  4. jmhopton
    I used to love it when RB staged a Christmas triple to give a choice to ballet viewers who may not always want to see a family ballet at Christmas or who would be willing to pay for both (it is Christmas after all!) By Christmas triple I don't specifically mean Christmas or winter themed ballets but just an alternative to countless Nutcrackers or other similar ballets such as Coppelia or Cinderella. Of course these ballets are needed to draw in the crowds and introduce children to the wonder of ballet but another more diverse programme would be welcome. I seem to remember in 2018/19 there was one with Patineurs, Winter dreams and The Concert (I think) which I really enjoyed. Something on those lines this Christmas I'd really enjoy, especially Patineurs which is one of my favourite Ashton ballets and seems ages since it's been staged. Possibly that and The Concert with Enigma Variations or Symphony in C would be a lovely uplifting Christmas treat for me at least, though I'm sure other people have different ideas.
  5. jmhopton
    Yes, will especially miss James in the Ashton. He is a wonderful Ashton dancer and my favourite ever version of Rhapsody was him and Francesca which should definitely have been filmed. Wishing both James and Ryio a good recovery over the summer and hope to see them in action on the ROH stage next season.
  6. jmhopton
    Yes, I received mine and specified how important both casting and seat prices were to my decision as to which/how many performances I would attend.
  7. jmhopton
    Fingers crossed for pre-Christmas then (if it happens). I don't see why doing Romeo would preclude Onegin being performed, especially if they're spaced out. Yes, they are both dramatic ballets, but all MacMillan's ballets are dramatic and as they seem to be performed every year on a rolling programme, Onegin would have to be performed when one of them is being staged. The last time Onegin was staged in Jan 2020 was when Manon opened the season in 2019 so it would be great if Onegin was performed pre-Christmas and Romeo the following March. That would be my fantasy scheduling. Great to have it early in the season as well before injuries start taking their inevitable toll, playing havoc with casting (and the poor dancers), and hotel and train bookings.
  8. jmhopton
    I suppose Onegin could be before Christmas (they need something a bit 'meaty' and dramatic to offset Alice and Cinderella) or might possibly be just after Christmas. I'm hoping for before Christmas as I always worry about post Christmas performances not selling well, especially for a ballet not so well known. Also, coming from a distance, I always worry about public transport being affected by the weather (just one more excuse in the Avanti repertoire of excuses).
  9. jmhopton
    If you don't have any joy on the ROH ordinary website for returns there is always Friday Rush, or the Forum sales or returns. I'd recommend Vadim/Fumi but I am a touch biased!
  10. jmhopton
    Unfortunately Myrtle, I don't think any performances of Choe were filmed of her either in Rhapsody or Fille. I'm don't think she's been filmed in any major roles (certainly not these) since the cinema broadcast started and so far they seem to be the major source of ballet streaming materials. There may be earlier recordings I'm not aware of that may find their way onto the stream but I suspect it's a long shot as any non current casts would have to have a certain audience pulling power, such as Bussell, Fonteyn or Dowell and Sibley and I don't think Choe is widely known outside ballet loving circles. I hope I'm wrong for your sake. I suspect you're right about Fille. Even the few BRB performances at Sadlers Wells might deter Kevin so let's hope for better things in 2025/6. At least we know because of the Ashton celebrations, there will be some Ashton next year which is certainly not usually predictable.
  11. jmhopton
    Well I had my Ashton query reply from Kevin today. Very prompt. Only a week since I emailed. Apparently none of the Ashton is being streamed 'for various reasons'; the only explanation given. I'm not surprised as I thought it would have been announced by now if there were streaming plans and the seating plans would be marked for filming but still a bit of a blow that so many potential great programmes and performances aren't being recorded. We'll just have to hope for next season. I've my fingers crossed for Sylvia which hasn't been filmed since Darcey Bussell, as it unaccountably wasn't filmed at its last outing 2017?18? Vadim and Marianela were fabulous then so fingers crossed though I'm sure Fumi would be great too. Doesn't look like RB are staging Fille next season though I may be wrong. Kevin said 'I have always had plans to bring Fille back into the repertoire but meanwhile it will be nice to see BRB perform it next season'. To me, that reads like RB aren't doing it next season but sometime after that (hopefully following season). Actually, this possibly suits me as if the rumours are right about Onegin returning next season I don't think I can afford my 2 favourite ballets in one season and all the new casts I want to see. Obviously nothing set in stone until the announcement at the end of the month so we'll have to wait and see. Anyway, many thanks to Kevin for replying so promptly.
  12. jmhopton
    Yes, though I like Rhapsody we have seen rather a lot of it lately. If we have to have 2 ballets the same I would choose Les Patineurs which is one of my favourite short Ashton ballets and which hasn't been seen since pre-lockdown.
  13. jmhopton
    I thought you could just subscribe for a month for the streaming and didn't havevto take out an annual subscription. I'm sure I've done that in the past. Isn't it £7.99 for Friends and £9.99 for non-friends. Incidentally whenever I email Kevin (not very often, 2 or 3 times a year ar most as I don't want to be a nuisance, and only when I feel strongly about something), I always praise the work he's doing and the splendid company he runs as I don't want to be seen to be negative and only getting in touch to complain. The Ashton festival is a great initiative as was inviting Sarasota so I mention these things.
  14. jmhopton
    I wouldn't lay any great claim to diplomacy which is probably why I don't always get a reply! Though in farness Kevin usually does reply... eventually. I know it's too late to do anything about the wig at this late stage. Perhaps as soon as it's announced next time may have greater effect, but I would love to see some of the performances streamed. I thought that's what the streaming service was all about. Not just for older established works but for new ventures that people would love to see again and probably won't be released as dvds. I feel especially strongly as 2 Macmillan works are being filmed for cinema but nothing for the launch of a 5 year Ashton celebration. I know there are problems with rights for Ashton works that you don't have with Macmillan because of the scattered ownership. However, during lockdown, Sarasota ballet streamed many Ashton works seemingly without any problems so why can't RB do the same?
  15. jmhopton
    Takada was certainly blond in the film with Steven. I have just emailed Kevin thanking him for his efforts in promoting Ashton with this splendid celebration but also asking for the blond wig to be ditched, and if any of the performances could be filmed for streaming as they're not being filmed for cinema. I've no great hope of getting a positive answer to either but thought at least I've asked.
  16. jmhopton
    Yes, I noticed that and very annoying it is as at the moment I'm not scheduled to see Vadim in Les Rendezvous as he's not doing it in any of the obvious dates like that weekend, and just hope I see him in the rehearsal.
  17. jmhopton
    Yes. I noticed Matthews absence too. Seems strange, especially as Mayara is dancing. Like Tebasile says, would loved to see his Oberon or Hamlet.
  18. jmhopton
    Nor James in Rhapsody. I saw him and Francesca do it years ago, 2015? and they were incandescent together. I'm also missing Alex already. Would loved to have seen his Oberon.
  19. jmhopton
    Gosh, fancy you remembering Emeralds. Yes I did manage my Sarasota tickets thanks, with a little help from my friends, and upgrading my membership to Friends+. Been dreaming of seeing Sarasota since seeing their lockdown streams and was determined not to miss seeing them if this proves to be their only visit. Fingers crossed as it's sold well and months ahead of the actual performance dates, they may return for the end of the Ashton celebrations (or even before). I too think it would have been a good idea to have at least staged the Gala on the main stage so people would be guaranteed at least one performance with a good range of seats. I know they're only doing small pieces but the RB post lockdown performances consisted of pas de deux and small pieces and no one said they were too small.
  20. jmhopton
    I started a thread on Jan 1st this year as I usually do, for a 2024/25 wish list.
  21. jmhopton
    Yes, Nutcracker working for me too. Looking good for Bayadere, and hopefully will be available for a while for those who can't make the broadcast on the 29th.
  22. jmhopton
    On Roberta's link here it goes to the ballet website and says it will be streamed with this link (theirs is shorter). https://iumusiclive.music.indiana.edu/ Do you have to subscribe? Is it geo blocked? Would be interesting to see it.
  23. jmhopton
    Yes, what is the overall PR strategy at the ROH? Are they solely dependent on social media? Some attractive posters outside/inside the building/bus stops/tubes may attract new viewers/tourists or perhaps re connect to previous ones who may not have been for a while. Perhaps a clip from the Macmillan Insight in the cafe area might help. It's a pity they don't seem to do many of the attractive posters they used to (too expensive?) I've got 3 lovely posters; of Alina in Giselle, Acosta/Nunez in Fille, and Putrov/Marquez in Cinderella. These are immediately attention grabbing and attractive and would encourage anyone to go and see these productions. Occasionally you do see posters in tube stations and they had a Cinderella London bus for the new production but today they seem mainly dependent on social media which is presumably where they think their 'new audience' will come from. A bit more attention to affordable ticket prices might make them retain more regulars who are being priced out of the art form they love.
  24. jmhopton
    I'm with you, OnePigeon. I was never that keen on Sleeping Beauty until Hayward/Campbell performances converted me in a big way. I've never really enjoyed Swan Lake (though I don't know if I've ever confessed this before!) For some reason the white acts have always bored me though I love them in Giselle and Bayadere. Despite the wonderful casts I've only booked for Vadim and Fumi and had to think about doing even that. It's frustrating Vadim hardly ever seems to have matinées.
  25. jmhopton
    Thanks Emeralds, apart from coughing a bit I'm much better now. Just as well as I'm starting jury service next week for the first time and am a bit apprehensive about the whole thing without the extra stress of not feeling well to add to it. At least I've got future performances booked to look forward to and keep me going if things get stressful. Thanks for altering my previous font, Alison. I knew it wasn't right but didn't know how to alter it.
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