jmhopton

I emailed the box office to ask about running times for Cinderella; also if there would be a Friday Rush for the opening Gala night. I was told there is no Friday Rush for the Gala, and the ballet is in 3 acts (therefore 2 intervals) and the running time 'will be under 3 hours'. They said they had only just begun technical rehearsals so couldn't be more exact.

Another couple of Ashton Foundation rehearsals. haven't had chance to see them yet but they look fascinatng.

You could be right, Scherezade as I've just remembered SkyArts have a bit of an Acosta fixation as they show his picture everytime they screen Giselle, even though its always Vadim and Marianela. It's just better to set the recorder and take what comes.

It is RB and, according to my TV guide, (which isn't always accurate) it's Rojo/Acosta/Nunez. This may be right as I seem to remember that SkyArts filmed all the ROH cinema broadcasts for the year of this Bayadere. Unfortunately, I don't think they continued. Interesting Marianela is in both recordings; this one and the recent one with Vadim/Nunez/Osipova

I've just watched it on our TV via YouTube and a really interesting watch it was too. Would have liked to see more models of what the staging would be like and perhaps a couple of costumes but I suppose understandably they don't want to give too much away before the rehearsal and opening night. I thought Laura Morera was an absolutely outstanding coach. Very detailed but also really supportive. It made me nostalgic for what we have so nearly lost in such a wonderful, lyrical dancer/actress. My husband commented it really makes you appreciate what a wonderful choreographer Ashton was; and the speed of some of his choreography, such as Autumn. The rehearsals broke down very complex choreography and gave it meaning, whereas in a performance it's over before you have time to think about it, and the message it's supposed to be conveying. Really whetted my appetite for forthcoming performances. I want to go tomorrow!!!

I was there a couple of weeks ago at the Saturday matinee and it was fine. Fabulous show and very well behaved audience. Theatre going as it should be.

I remember attending a performance at the ROH when just having saved the PD from the lion our hero is chariotted offstage by this lovely black horse pulling the chariot. Unfortunately in the time taken by him and the PD to mount the chariot the horse deposited a large pile of poo on the stage and there was no convenient young man with a basket and shovel following behind as in La Fille. Then the young man's friend comes racing across the stage, waving his arms in a 'wait for me' gesture, looking ahead at the chariot not down at the stage. Right at the last second he saw it and did this soaring jete right over it and everyone clapped and cheered.

Isn't it a lion in Pharaohs Daughter? The hero saves the Egyptian Princess from this lion (which makes the Bayadere tiger look fierce and realistic, and always reminds me of the 1960s ventriloquist puppet, Lennie the Lion. I keep looking round for Terry Hall!)

In one of my comments in the current ROH survey I said it was a pity that some if the ROH most loyal supporters and Friends are being prevented from visiting as often as they would like because of substantial increase in ticket prices (my favourite seat prices have doubled since 2019). I also said it would be good if we could be rewarded by discounts if we bought so many tickets (especially as the package discounts have been discontinued). This may also encourage more people to become Friends and benefit the ROH in the long term.

I'm sure it will be, Sim. Can't wait!

Thanks Janet. I must have missed it, and fair enough it not coming if it didn't sell. The Palace is a large theatre to fill though I much prefer it to the Lowry because I can get there easily by train. Weren't both version of Giselle shown in the same season before? It's a really good idea to show 2 contrasting versions of the same ballet if they think they can both sell, though they're not being staged at the same theatre. However, by showing the Skeaping in London it means easy access for people like me to get there (trains permitting!) So great planning by the new AD and his team and a great start to his tenure.

Disappointed Manchester is only getting the Akram Khan Giselle which we've already had. Would much have preferred the Mary Skeaping version which I don't think I've seen but have wanted to for ages. So I'll be coming to London and pleased it's at the Coliseum which I much prefer to Sadlers Wells as a venue. Might venture to Sadlers Wells for Carmen, though I would prefer a traditional version which a 'bold re -imagining' doesn't sound like so will try and investigate beforehand. Still, will be more than happy to see the Mary Skeaping Giselle and am pleased and relieved it's still being staged. Somewhat pessimistically, I assumed that these days traditional staging took second place to 'bold re imagining ' when it comes to the classics and am really pleased to have been proved wrong. May have to go more than once in case I don't get the chance again, and want to compare it to the Peter Wright version which is really the only one I know.

With all this talk about Mendelssohn and Hayward/Sambe/Bracewell having performed 2 stunning Dream pas de deux recently I'm taking this as a definite omen that The Dream will be re-scheduled next season.

It was on during the Genesis Open last weekend. It seemed to be practically every advert break, especially during Friday and Saturday. No idea if golf is the only sport they targeted as never watch any other sport on tv.

I've been watching a US golf tournament this weekend. I always record it then I can fast forward through the adverts when I noticed an advert for the ROH streaming service popping up several times with the theme 'New worlds await'. No prices mentioned. They must obviously think there are a lot of golf and ballet enthusiasts out there!

Yes I daren't even think about later in April. I've now got 3 more weekends booked on the 14/15, 22 and 29. It should have just been the 14/15 and 22nd but when I started idly checking for accommodation on the 22nd (I'd booked both performances) I was horrified to see all my usual places were either full or double the cost. When I checked, the London marathon was being run on the 23rd! Ironically, I booked the 22nd rather than the 29th (identical casts) to avoid the May Day weekend and ended up with the London marathon which is worse. Had to keep the 22nd matinee as I got standing tickets for myself and a friend but changed my evening ticket for the same seat on the 29th and managed to get cheap accommodation. If the rail strikes continue I'm bound to have at least one weekend affected (in addition to the 1st). The 22nd will affect my friend (only her second visit to the ROH) but the 29th will affect my final performance with Morera. Aaaaaagh!

I (in common with many others) will be affected for Vadim's Cinderella matinee on April 1st. The first matinee I recall him performing (certainly in several years) and there's a strike! It's virtually a sell out and many will be relying on the train. I had to cancel his SB I'd booked as one of our dogs was ill and now this. Seem fated not to see him and its my last chance to see him live (as opposed to cinema) before the new season in Oct. Hope we can go to Cheltenham and I can get the coach from there. Will be a month after my previous visit to get to Fumi's SB matinee 4th March (rail engineering works). It's certainly a challenge being a ballet supporter at the moment!

Once things are on the streaming site are they just there for a certain length of time eg a few months, or are they there indefinitely?

Do we have any information about content? Difficult I know if the organisers can't even confirm who is dancing. Is it usually just announced on the day? Glad I haven't booked as if I had it would be on the strength of Vadim's participation

I'm afraid I can't face seeing the last act of Anastasia even for Laura's farewell so my final memory of her will be dancing Cinderella. However, I suspect my most enduring memories of her will be In Mayerling with Bonelli and Month in the Country with Vadim. Why those amazing, searing, heartbreaking performances were never filmed I can't imagine. A terrible shame. An irreplaceable artist we will all miss so much, though it's good to know she will live on in the RB, imparting her valuable knowledge to the next generation of dancers.

Am very pleased this is selling well and I hope it is successful. Sounds really unique. However, it does seem to confirm that Carlos (rather like ENB) is continuing his classics and modern programming while ignoring the heritage choreographers such as Ashton, MacMillan, Cranko, De Valois, Bintley etc. A shame as BRB under David Bintley put together some splendid triple bills of these works, often better than what the RB do (or did) as we've seen several great RB heritage triples in the last few years. Perhaps next season Carlos too can programme some great triple bills or even full length works by these choreographers. I do hope so.

Sorry everyone, getting so carried away, didn't check what I was writing. I did mean Corella and Stiefel, not Alina.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsaire-DVD-Julie-Kent/dp/B00004VUHK I think it was a video first then released as a dvd. I think my copy is a video transfer. Great cast, and quite an amusing piece at the beginning where they try to explain the plot without seeming to understand it themselves!

I also remember Angel Corella guesting with RB around that time and seeing him do Bayadere with Alina; Fabulous. Also both of them immortalised in the ABT Corsaire dvd from around this period.

Yes, there was Bruce. I remember as that's what caused me to write my first rather angry letter to Alex Beard on the subject of not taking your regular audience for granted as they are the ones who will turn up for several casts as often as they can afford it. These days thst is getting more difficult. I think the person who ran it left after all the bad feelings it created though I'm not sure about that.