jmhopton

Valentino Zucchetti would do it for me. I know he's not a big name like Wheeldon or Ratmansky but he does understand classical choreography and I've really enjoyed the choreography of his that I've seen. Although recognisably modern, his ballets are also recognisably classical, which seems to be quite a difficult combination to achieve. As I think I've said before, apart from Liam Scarlett, he is the only current RB choreographer I would pay to go and see (current in the sense of fairly contemporary and current rep). Also, didn't Liam have an official Artist in Residense post? Perhaps Valentino could have a similar official or semi official role depending on how he wanted to divide his time between his dancing and choreography roles. The RB should have a classical choreographer as well as (or even instead of) a contemporary one though I think we have to accept that barring a miracle, the days of genius choreographers like Ashton and Macmillan may have gone.

Thanks Rob. How do you find stories on Instagram or any text?

Thank goodness for that! I did email the box office yesterday but haven't heard anything yet. I have just been on Instagram now and the statement there mirrors the one now on the ROH website which mentions the four female dancers but no mention of the Prince. Unless Vadim is mentioned elsewhere. Incidentally, how do you find written information on Instagram? All I can ever find are photos and videos and occasionally a very short post but no detailed text. I thought someone on the Forum said Osipova posted on Instagram about having covid but I couldn't see it.

I do agree about the triple bills composition, Lizbie1. I'm so glad there is more of an effort these days to split modern and traditional ones. There was a phase in the 90s and early this century when I didn't attend any as they were so poorly constructed (from my point of view). Also good luck with the attempt to like Wheeldon (something I've never achieved yet).

I'd personally much prefer 4.30 on any afternoon for Swan Lake as I'd be able to get home without an overnight stay. Especially as I'll already have had an overnight stay on Monday for the Ashton triple.

It said all sold out for me too when I selected the new booking system (also all sold out for the opera as well). However, when I went back in and selected the old system it sort of worked (this is a couple of hours ago). There were tickets available; just the numbers bore no resemblance to what was on offer. I thought they were quite reasonably priced until I realised I was just going to buy a ticket to the opera concert! As the Ukranian appeal is advertised prominently at the start of Whats On it seems ridiculous you have to wade through pages of events to actually book seats. Not sure about the idea of multiple Odette/Odiles, especially as there seem to be more of them than they are acts they appear in. Perhaps they thought it was a way of making the performance 'different' and I assume many wanted to perform in it. The idea of a couple of Bennos sounds interesting (though I'd really prefer them both to be James Hay!)

I'm afraid ballets like Les Sylphides, Pineapple Poll, Checkmate, Daphnis and Chloe seem to be suffering in the new mixed bill programming which (currently for BRB and ENB) seem to be almost exclusively modern ballets, while ignoring their rich heritage of 20th century classics. Its only about 5 years ago since I saw a BRB triple with (I think) Pineapple Poll, Checkmate and Daphnis and Chloe. Also, I'm sure I have a recording of Margot Fonteyn introducing London Festival Ballet (as ENB used to be called) doing Graduation Ball and Sanguine Fan. I don't recall ever seeing either live, yet Graduation Ball used to be a very popular ballet. RB seem to be doing separate Ashton and modern mixed bills which actually suits me far better than more mixed bills as I can't afford a 200 miles trip and overnight stay if there is one ballet I really want to see, one I'm not too bothered about and one I don't want to see. It would be great if there were more 'heritage' mixed bills otherwise they'll be in danger of being forgotten about which is such a shame as many will be capable of being enjoyed by modern audiences just as much as actual modern ballets, and I suspect, if given the chance of actually being performed, many may well outlive modern ballets which often get neglected if they don't perform well at the box office or become superceded by newer ballets. Sometimes the huge rep. of a company like the RB can become a bit of a curse as every year it spends time and money on staging new ballets, so inevitably a larger percentage of it's existing rep. is never performed and gradually slips out of rep. Much as I appreciate the importance of new ballets I just wish sometimes, say on alternate years, we had fewer new ballets and spent the money on reviving and staging some modern classics which, if they haven't been performed for many years, will be like new ballets to a recent audience and hopefully like revisiting an old friend, to a longstanding audience.

Lately, when I've tried looking for tickets it just takes me straight to the old system with no seat view. Shame, as I started to like the new system with the seat view and drop down list of performance dates. I don't know if the new system is linked to the queuing system as the two seemed to vanish fairly close together, or if they're trying to make the new system work for the next booking period. Testing it beforehand would be a good idea!

Have been meaning to post this for ages but kept forgetting. In the really informative BRB Don Q programme there is a page on 'The Language of Fans'. I never knew there was so much to it! I'll quote a few. Drawing across the cheek; I love you Giving fan to a man; I'm yours Fanning slowly; I'm married fanning quickly; I'm engaged. Really fascinating.

SkyArts Monday 14th March 6.15 - 8am Australian Ballet Merry Widow. I assume it's the newer version filmed a few years ago and shown at the cinema with Steven Heathcote as the older gentleman. I actually prefer the earlier version where he plays the romantic lead but this is still worth seeing. Also on SkyArts Australian Ballet's Sleeping Beauty Monday 21st March 6-8.15am

Having seen the season's email my first reaction was bitter disappointment that Manchester (who should have premiered Raymonda) is being denied a chance to experience it. To add insult to injury, Swan Lake is being shown at both Liverpool and Manchester and Raymonda in Bristol and Southampton. As LinMM said why couldn't the North have Raymonda and Swan Lake, and similarly the South? It would appear to make more financial sense as well as people may be prepared to travel relatively short differences to see a different ballet whether it be Raymonda or Swan Lake. Unless I can make it to Bristol or interrupt my holiday in Rye to see it at Sadler’s Wells I seem doomed to miss it and I was really looking forward to it. Also, like Dawnstar, I would love to see Mary Skeaping's Giselle to compare it to Peter Wright's version. I hope the new director does not sideline this version in favour of Aktam Khan's production. Edited to add I am hoping the news still to come may include something like the old small scale Tour de Force that went to smaller theatres but did some interesting mixed bills/divertissments.

Yes the 2020/21 Aud Jebsen dancers were kept on a further year because they got so few chances because of lockdown and ROH closure. Also, when they did re open there were quite a few concerts with not as many opportunities for the corps. I think most if not all the 2020 cohort still seem to be with the RB and I was wondering when the decision would be made as to who to keep and who to let go? Would it be in summer? Or perhaps May/June to give the unlucky ones more chance to find somewhere for the new season?

A terrific evening last night. Such a privilege to be there at Fumi's debut (not that you'd have realised it. I've seldom seen such an assured performance, let alone debut) and Federico's final public RB performance. The evening was emotionally charged right from the start with Kevin's announcement and the playing of the Ukraine national anthem to which the entire audience rose spontaneously. Fumi and Federico were magnificent, such fabulous acting and port de bras from her, and his dancing and partnering were such that it made me realised anew what a loss he'll be to the RB. But it was the corps that really mesmerised me last night. I thought they were sensational, with a degree of togetherness I've seldom seen outside the Mariinsky; incredible. Then the standing ovation at the end and all the presentation. It was all so emotional! Incidentally you didn't miss anything at the stage door, Dawnstar as they didn't come out. They went on somewhere else and I hope they enjoyed themselves; they certainly deserve it!

I've just made a donation via Paypal.

Yes indeed, Mary. I feel just the same. Love the book. No memorial could be better. I can't imagine there will ever be another ballet critic with his longevity but, more importantly with his wit, humour and stylish way of writing. Would be wonderful if someone could eventually edit another collection, preferably with some more recent reviews. That would be amazing and a very fitting tribute. I wonder if the next RB (and possibly BRB) performance/s will be dedicated to him. That would be very appropriate.

I too am very disappointed this announcement wasn't made on the ROH website. Why is their own website often the one place you never see important announcements like this? Surely it isn't so difficult to copy a press release onto their own site, especially having said on their own website that information about Federico's final performance would be announced. But for the Forum I would miss a lot of information as their marketing/customer services seem to assume everyone is on social media. Perhaps someone should tell them we're not. It's not that long ago I had the ROH News page saved as a favourite as there was often interesting information/articles that I enjoyed but not any more, alas.

If the Ballet Icons Gala does go ahead (in whatever format it can) perhaps a percentage at least of the takings could go to help those in Ukraine? Even though I'm not attending I would happily contribute.

I feel a bit the same, Sim as I saw them too and felt I was in the presence of true ballet perfection. But I would have happily run the risk of them not performing to last times incredible standard, especially if theirs had been the streamed performance. Since seeing their performances I have been longing for some sort of a recording of Hay/Hayward in Rhapsody and Vadim in A Month in the Country and I may have the added frustration of seeing both ballets again but neither cast I want being recorded.

Yes, I thought the one-handed lifts were rather truncated, especially the second one. Didn't at all detract from the splendour of the overall performance, though.

Thanks very much TSR101. I thought I'd looked on the website but obviously not looked in the right place! I'm staying in Rye that week so am keeping everything crossed Brandon is doing another matinee as it's tricky getting back in an evening. Otherwise might try another cast as I'd love to see it again and I've rather gone off the Lowry as a venue which is by far the nearest venue for me. It's just such a nightmare to get there for driving or fiddly getting the train to Manchester and the tram out to Salford. By the way I'm sure Marianela and Vadim were using their RB Don Q costumes. Don't know how they differ from the BRB ones.

Do we have any dates for July, please?

Money well spent in my book. What a fabulous evening! Vadim and Marianela on fire as was the entire company. Its such a great Compny ballet. Alexander Yapp was the matador. I'd never heard of him so checked the programme and unless there's a printer error he's only an Artist. Why? He totally dominated the stage and is one of the best matadors I'd seen. I actually preferred the sets to the more elaborate RB ones, especially the vision scene which I thought was really lovely, silvery fronds that filled the stage and then were lifted to frame it. Far nicer than the rather garish flowers the RB has. I was very cross to miss seeing Brandon Lawrence as I hadn't realised he was doing a matinee but I'm just so pleased to have seen Marianela and Vadim again. It seems so long since I've seen them do Don Q I can't really remember them well enough to compare their performance then and now. I just know now is sensational! Am keeping everything crossed it's not too long until we see them perform it at the ROH. Many in the stalls gave them a standing ovation and it was well deserved. Got a glimpse of Carlos at the stage door and a lovely pic of Vadim and marianela before they were whisked away in a taxi. My husband said I could stay another night if I wanted to see them again and I'm very tempted!

I think the first time I saw him at the ROH in a full length role was in Mayerling with Laura Morera. What a fabulous first time role to see him in. They were both sensational and I always regret it was never filmed as I would have loved to revisit it. I think I saw him at the cinema doing De Grieux in Manon with Nunez and that was very special too. He seems very self-effacing for a principal dancer, always trying to get the best out of his partner. Even at the Insight night last week (his last he reminded us) he was constantly working on his role and discussing it with his partner, Fumi. Just frustrating you couldn't hear what he was saying. I'm so pleased I got a ticket for his Swan Lake and Month in the Country. Our loss is Northern Ballet's gain but he will be missed by all his admirers and I echo Emeralds wish that he will occasionally come out of retirement to please all his admirers with his wonderful performances.

I'm so pleased for Francisco. I'd love to have seen him and I hope it leads to better roles for him and, hopefully, promotion. Great to see someone lower down the ranks given the chance to dance such a huge role and being such a success. Performances like this must make casting all the more difficult for Kevin but what a wonderful problem to have!

Alison, at first I thought you meant you had to catch up with Thomas Whiteheads hair style! Really enjoyed the cinema screening tonight. Thought Sambe and O'Sullivan were incredible, such emotion and chemistry and the whole cast responded with energy and enthusiasm. Loved seeing James Hays very laddish Mercutio and Leo Dixon was great as Benvolio, definitely someone to watch out for. Interesting that Romeo definitely seemed to push Mercutio onto Tybalts sword which would account for the ferocity of his attack on Tybalt. There would be a lot of guilt there. The only thing I really missed was seeing Erico Montes as Tybalts leading henchman. I always looked out for him and it seemed strange without him. But a really excellent performance. The RB are currently an incredible advert for British arts and culture and make you proud to be British. Not forgetting the technology that screens and streams so much opera and ballet all over the world should be applauded too.