jmhopton

Hear, hear (varied as in lots of different Ashton!) One can only dream. This dream applies to BRB as well!

Am conscious that I'm contributing to the discussion wandering off topic but I too loved Muntagirov in 2 Pigeons. His short solo in the gypsy camp in the second act was possibly my favourite all time solo of his; it exudes such a joy of dance and epitomises the high standards of classical dance he brings to every role. However, I wasn't as keen on Cuthbertson in the role. I much preferred Stix Brunel whom I thought brought a youthful freshness to the role. I was hoping she might dance it with Vadim in future revivals but not to be. However, when it is revived I think the young men may need more extensive pigeon handling training as out of three different casts I saw last time Vadim was the only one who managed his pigeon successfully. The pigeon escaped from the other two, one hopping around the stage and the other flying into the orchestra pit where it perched on a music stand until being rescued.

Wed 3rd Aug 10-11pm SkyArts South Bank Show with Carlos Acosta (I'm sure this has been mentioned elsewhere but as I'm adding something else thought I'd mention it). Not sure if this has been shown before as there was a comment from someone who'd enjoyed it. Thurs 4th Aug Together TV 12.30-1.45 AM(!) Beyond Moving (2919) Documentary about the rise to fame of South African ballet dancer Siphe November Can't say I've ever heard of Together TV. Apparently it is a community channel and it's numbers are:- Freeview 83 Sky 170 Virgin 269 Freesat 164 I hope this is correct. When I Googled it it keeps moving about so can't guarantee the above links are still valid.

The Darcey Bussell Royal Road Trip (see above) starts at White Lodge where apparently the Queen lived for the first year of her life which I didn't know. From the piece in the Radio Times that may be the only ballet related item on the programme. SkyArts Wed 27th July 6.10-7.45am another repeat showing of the Royal Ballet in Cuba.

Sat 30th July 2.40am-5.10am. Talking Pictures. Nijinsky. Biopic charting the rise and fall of the legendary dancer and his relationships with mentor Sergei Diaghilev and fellow ballet star Romola de Pulsky. Starring George De La Pena, Alan Bates, Leslie Browne and Ronald Pickup

For those who won't be able to see Darcey Bussell's Royal Road Trip on More4 Tues 19th Jul 10-11pm (repeated 1.15am and 2.15am Wed 20th Jul) it is repeated on the same channel Sat 23rd July at 6.55pm.

Hope there will be more modern classics such as Ashton or Bintley in the 23/24 'very exciting ' future announcement mentioned in the publicity. I'm not holding my breath, though which is a shame as BRB had a great Ashton back catalogue, as good as the RB if not better. I hope to be proved wrong.

Thrilled by the promotions announced and congratulations to them all. May they all have a long and fulfilling career with the RB. Thinking about Joseph Aumeer I am disappointed to see him go but I don't recall seeing him in that many performances so perhaps he thinks his career will be better served elsewhere. In fact, he only really came to my attention in the interesting panel discussion about race a couple of years or so ago. I thought he seemed a very personable and intelligent young man and have looked out for him ever since but hadn't seen him that often (though I don't get to the ROH as often as I'd like). It just occurred to me that most RB dancers these days seem to stay with the RB company for their career. You don't hear of many leaving for other companies so hopefully this means Kevin has created a happy company working atmosphere where most dancers can thrive and spend their entire dancing life; possibly even moving on to other roles in the ROH when they leave dancing. This is good news for us ballet watchers who love to follow a dancer from School to working their way through the Company ranks. Good news for the dancers too who can take advantage of the wide RB rep. and flexibility when it comes to guesting elsewhere. To return to the promotions I am especially thrilled by Letiticia Dias, Theo Dubreil, Leo Dixon and David Donnelly who definitely deserve promotion, especially as they are being given larger roles. Am really pleased that all the previous cohort of Aud Jebsen dancers (2021/22?) have been accepted into the Company as I think they're all terrific as is Marco Masciari. Daichi Ikarshri and Marianne Tsembenhoi are obviously stars of the future but I think they are all good. There again, only really got to know them because of the various filmed insights, especially the one rehearsing Sleeping Beauty with Christopher Saunders, and the filmed rehearsals of Valentino Zucchetti's ballets which then enabled me to look out for them in performances. Finally, Joseph Sissenns; can't really add much to other comments but so pleased his talents have been rewarded. A few years back I asked for his autograph at the stage door and he seemed taken aback as he said he was 'just a nobody' but it was obvious even then he wasn't going to be a 'nobody' for long. Congratulations again. We're so lucky to have such a wealth of talent at all levels in the RB. This is a truly Golden Age for ballet and I can't wait for the new season to see the newly promoted dancers (and all the others) back where they belong, on the big stage.

SkyArts Sunday 17th July RB Giselle 6-8am. Usual photo of Acosta/Osipova but who knows. More4 Tuesday 19th July 10-11pm Darcey Bussells Royal Road Trip. is this new? Doesn't seem to be especially dance related apart from being presented by Darcey. The ballet star travels across the country to visit some of the locations where the Queen has made a lasting impression during her 70 years on the throne

I too was in and out very quickly. Was logged in and waiting at 9am and only had 1 minute wait on the new system. I went in via the Friends email reminder to save scrolling through all the other events as the website still doesn't seem to prioritise main stage booking even on an important booking day. I only wanted 3 Mayerling tickets so was able to book fairly quickly. Seat view working and drop down menu and 45 mins to book. The only things I'd say is that if you have a gift voucher you now have to click on a box that says gift voucher rather than the box just being there to fill in. However, if you have already logged in and have ROH vouchers from returned tickets they are there with the total so you don't have to rummage for numbers, just click on them. A friend had also given me a voucher and I just clicked on Add new voucher (or something similar) to put in her voucher number. Also, when you have added an item to your basket I don't think the drop down date menu is there to return to but I just clicked the back arrow and it took me back to the auditorium plan and drop down dates. All in all, a positive experience.

Not at all impressed that Madrid is getting Raymonda rather than Manchester where it should have debuted. I'd hoped to see it at Bristol as I had to cancel my London trip last January but it's just the week I'd pencilled in 2 possible consecutive nights for Mayerling to save on travel. I seem fated never to see it. An awful shame it wasn't streamed as that would have been a great compromise.

I've been on a couple of tours though I prefer to go when the dancers are in residence so you stand a chance of a glimpse of a class or rehearsal both of which I've seen. Carlos Acosta was waiting for the lift but seemed rather horrified at the idea of sharing it with a large group of balletomans so waited for the next one much to our disappointment. However, this means you can't see more personal areas like dressing rooms which I've never seen. I remember being fascinated by the costume department which you get a glimpse of if you're on the amphi terrace. Perhaps try and find out what might be included when you're thinking of going, and if there's something specific you'd like to see then ask when the best time would be.

This was in the Links a couple of days ago and I just thought it might be a good idea to give it a higher profile in case anyone missed it. The tour seems to be from Jan-Mar and is perhaps filling the gap left by Siberian (later Russian State) Ballet which presumably won't be returning next year. The theatres visited seem to be similar as is the rep. They are doing Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle and Coppelia though every theatre presumably chooses their own. I've already booked to see Giselle at Blackpool Grand Theatre where they are also doing Nutcracker and Swan Lake next Jan. https://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/Raymond-Gubbay-Limited-Announces-UK-Debut-For-Varna-International-Ballet-and-Orchestra-20220624

SkyArts Sunday 3rd July 6.10am-8.30am. Australian Ballet Sleeping Beauty, repeat,

SkyArts Friday 1st Jul 7am. Ashton double bill repeat Rhapsody/Two Pigeons. What a sublime double bill that was and how I'm going to miss seeing an Ashton mixed bill next season.

Emailed ROH Customer Services recently to enquire about the Ashton stream. This is the reply I got. Disappointing as I was looking forward to seeing it soon. Also, I think they may lose out on revenue by leaving it, as many non regular ballet goers may have bought it in a burst of enthusiasm after seeing it but may have forgotten about it by autumn. ROH Stream is currently paused in readiness for a relaunch in Autumn 2022 with a season of exciting new productions. We look forward to announcing our new streaming season in the coming weeks.

I still have it too though I transferred mine to dvd, and I think it's a gold standard in ballet docs as it had a wonderful mix of dance and information. Irek's personality really came across and it encouraged me to go and see his performances. I love the last bit when he's struggling with the intricacies of Colas' solo in La Fille. After coming from the Bolshoi with Spartacus being his signature role, nothing could be more different. But it's one of the reasons he wanted to come here, to avoid being pigeonholed in 'heroic' roles.

London Live Monday 27th June 3.05pm and Friday 1st July 3.10pm Tales of Beatrix Potter SkyArts Wed 29th June 6am. English National Ballet in Paris. Doc about their Paris visit performing Le Corsaire. Just the doc. Not the ballet.

Personally, I wish whoever is the new AD at ENB schedules the Mary Skeaping Giselle rather than Akram Khan. I've never seen it but it sounds terrific and I'd love to compare it to the Peter Wright version. Even if they do what they did a few years ago and programme both of them in the same run that would be OK. They'd probably appeal to different audiences and those who enjoy both can have fun comparing them.

Brilliant! My favourite performance of one of my favourite ballets. The best thing to come out of the pandemic. I've watched it loads of times. I just wish a UK company would perform it as it's the only favourite ballet I've never seen live and there are some great lead roles.

The start of the Moira Shearer Red Shoes film is filmed from the old ROH Gallery

BBC4 Sunday 12th June 10-11.30pm Margot. Anne-Marie Duff stars as Margot Fonteyn in this drama exploring the ballerina's career and personal life. Along with the knowledge of her diplomat husband's infidelities, Margot senses mounting pressure from the Royal Ballet to consider retirement, but a professional partnership with Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev turns her into a worldwide celebrity. With Michiel Huisman and Derek Jacobi Good to know BBC4 are still showing ballet, even a probable repeat. SkyArts Wed 15th June Merry Widow 7.15-9am. Probably the most recent version (again).

I did email customer services about the possibility of Like Water for Chocolate being streamed as the cinema release isn't until Jan, and was told The upcoming autumn programme for ROH Stream will be announced in the coming months. Whilst there has been no announcement, I do hope it will make an appearance on the platform at some time. I didn't realise the streaming programmes were seasonal and am now wondering if they're waiting until then to release the Ashton triple stream as I'm sure we're getting it sometime. I was hoping it would be soon after the recording or at least over summer but possibly not. I'm disappointed, even though they didn't film the right cast for Month in the Country (in my opinion at least)

Bits of Northern Ballet's Christmas Carol, especially the dance of the Ghosts near the start, and the Ghost of Christmas Future is definitely the stuff of nightmares. Perhaps we ought to compile our own list. It would be a big improvement on the one used to start the discussion.

I too am thrilled that Vadim has a chance to do Rudolf at last though slightly disappointed he isn't doing it with Morera as their Month in the Country was really gold standard to me, and I thought she would have been great in encouraging his acting and giving him confidence in a role that is very different to any he's done before. Also Morera was terrific with Bonelli and I wouldn't be surprised if Vadim doesn't approach it in a similar way to Bonelli, a quieter, more thoughtful approach though none the less valid. Looking forward to seeing some other casts too, notably Matthew Ball whom I haven't seen, especially as he's with Morera, Ryio with Melissa Hamilton and Hayward and Sambe who should be terrific. Good also to see so many matinées to cut back on the overnight London stays.