jmhopton

Judging by the reviews (very few compared to The Creature) this is a ballet I'd love to see and wonderful it's being streamed. Well done Scottish ballet for producing something fun and lighthearted. Just because a ballet is short and humourous it doesn't mean it's any less of a good ballet than one that's long and 'meaningful'. Given the emphasis on mime in ballet I'm constantly surprised there aren't more light hearted, fun ballets. Perhaps the Arts Coucil aren't keen on funding anything not 'relevant'. Also you can never really imagine most modern choreographers (possibly ADS too) having fun on their choreographic agenda, mores the pity.

Well, the RB are doing this anyway with Romeo being filmed the beginning of Feb but not broadcast until the 14th. Perhaps this is an area they can explore as other ballet companies seem to do it. I suppose there is no real need for the cinema broadcast to be 'live' as from a cinema perspective, if it's filmed with a live audience you appear to be watching a live performance even if it isn't. If it's a lot easier and cheaper to broadcast a filmed performance then by all means go for it. Perhaps just keep one or 2 live performances a year; say for something special. I'm sure the majority of people seeing the ROH screenings at their local cinema aren't really bothered about whether or not it's live. OK ,we might prefer live performances so we can discuss them on the Forum but if the ROH can save money by not having live satellites good luck to them. Incidentally, RHowarth is quite correct in that the ROH used to broadcast 12 performances a year at the cinema not the 6 I said. It doesn't take long for me to lose my memory! Dan JLs point about the ROH being cautious about committing themselves to a lot of expensive livestreaming is a good one too. They did at least pencil in the camera dates to indicate their intention of doing something; whether it be for livestreaming/TV/dvd so lets hope something comes of it. As long as I get the Ashton triple in some format I don't care. Sheila's point about the Ballet Association Funding for the Ashton livestreaming is a good one and gives me hope we will see it in some format. I just hope next season sees a return to a full length Ashton; la Fille would obviously be the main favourite but I'd settle for Sylvia or even Ondine, especially after Francesca Hayward's amazing performance in the Fonteyn Gala. Like Fonteyn she was obviously born to dance the role.

Wonderful early Christmas present and a great change from an overdose of Nutcrackers. Like Jeanette l love pas de dieux so will definitely be watching, and looking out for the new twist.

Not sure if this is the best place for this or if it should be under cinema. I thought I read somewhere ages ago when the new season was formally announced that all ROH programmes would be shown at the cinema which seemed a really good idea as some people will probably still be hesitant about travelling. However, when the cinema details were announced it was just the usual 6 performances (3 opera and 3 ballet). I wondered if this was the first cinema season and more performances will follow (I am especially concerned about the Ashton triple). I contacted customer services and they say that only the 6 performances named will be shown at the cinema which was a blow as I always take a couple of non-internet friends with me so even if it is streamed they wouldn't see it. The Customer Services Manager who replied said a decision hasn't been made as to whether or not the Ashton triple will be streamed and I need to 'watch this space'. As a performance on 29th April is scheduled for cameras I'm still hoping it will be streamed. I also can't see a new full-length Wheeldon ballet not being broadcast in some way and cameras are there 9th June. So if there are filming dates why not announce the format? I know it's a long time ahead but I'd feel better if I knew the Ashton at least was being recorded in some format.

Me too Sim if it involves a dvd recorder. Luckily with the Sky box all you have to do is press a button that says record. Even I can do that! However, some people just like to switch on the TV in an evening without thinking about recording. It seems SkyArts doesn't rate their Arts audience as sufficiently important or numerous enough to merit scheduling most ballet or opera at a time when people actually want to watch it. It's often popular music programmes in the prime evening slot. Given that the age group for ballet and opera is (I suspect) somewhat older and may be more likely to watch TV in the evening, perhaps they should experiment with scheduling some evening opera and ballet. They may be pleasantly surprised, especially if they do it the same evening every week which I think they did at one time when it was Artsworld.

More repeats on SkyArts Wed 22 Sept 7.15am Australian Ballet Merry Widow Sun 26 Sept 6.30am RB Nutcracker (don't know cast or date filmed) Mon 27 Sept 6am Force of nature: Natalia Osipova Thurs 30 Sept 7am Australian Ballet Cinderella

Is Chris Smith the only Culture Secretary who ever expressed an interest in culture? I can't think of any others. You get the impression that anything to do with culture is a big turn off for most politicians who are more concerned with establishing their 'ordinary' credentials which usually means wearing a baseball cap (remember William Hague) or expressing an interest in football (even if he forgets the name of the team he supports; David Cameron) The lack of political support for culture is very sad. It is as if the Arts are seen as elitist, something for upper class 'toffs' to attend and not something that should be for everyone to enjoy and enrich their lives. It started at school with the gradual erosion of music and possibly drama classes, and now seems to be effecting higher education with political intervention to reduce funding of Arts courses. Yet from a purely economic point of view (one you would think the Tories would appreciate) the Arts contribute massively to the economy and exports, and are an important reason for foreign tourists to choose to come to this country. Boris Johnson was quick enough to congratulate Emma Raducanu on her sensational winning of the US Open but I'm still waiting for any politician to say what a world beating ballet star or actor they've seen in this country and how lucky we are to have such talent for everyone to enjoy.

Just had an email from Sarasota Ballet about their Covid restrictions for live performances. So they're going ahead with vaccine passports. Effective September 26th, 2021, we will uniformly implement the following policy: all patrons aged 12 and older must show either: a negative PCR COVID-19 test administered by a medical provider or official testing center no earlier than 72 hours before the time of our performance, or a negative rapid antigen COVID-19 test administered by a medical professional or official testing center no earlier than 24 hours prior to the time of our performance. Home testing kit results will not be accepted for entry. If patrons prefer, CDC or an other official vaccination record showing patrons are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (at least 14 days since the final dose) may be voluntarily presented at the door as an acceptable alternative to negative COVID-19 test results. Both physical and electronic presentation of documents will be accepted. Photo identification must accompany the presentation of all documents. All patrons over age 5, regardless of vaccination or testing status, must wear masks over their nose and mouth at all times while inside the venue Details may be revised based on CDC guidance and the evolving circumstances of the pandemic.

I've just applied for my official vaccine letter thanks to Richards link. Really very easy to do. The most difficult thing was finding which vaccine related part of the website I needed. As the government say it won't be necessary now I'm sure I'll need it sometime soon.

Slightly off topic but I thought it might be of interest to some. I had an email from Trafalgar today about a cinema screening of a film of the Victoria and Albert's Alice in Wonderland exhibition currently on until Dec 31st. The screening is around Oct 14th. There may be a slight ballet interest as some of the earlier publicity photographs featured the amazing RB Red Queen costume. So pehaps that might be there. https://www.aliceincinemas.com/synopsis/

When I asked ENB about casting they said it might be Oct before it's announced. I hope it's earlier but I know they're not always as early as we'd like. Many balletgoers are like me and live a long way off and have to dovetail performances together to save on travel and accommodation. So if we want to book early to get the seats we want its often impossible to slip in an extra performance when casting is announced. That said, last time I looked a week or 2 ago there still seemed to be plenty of availability so perhaps I'll wait a bit longer before booking.

Hope this link works. I'm not good at copying to my phone! This is a 1999 review of Raymonda. I found the whole season exciting as up until this point I'd never seen the Bolshoi live in full length works, only the 'ballet suites' devised by Derek Block in about 1993 at the Royal Albert Hall which were not great. This was the first Bolshoi season run by the Hochausers for a while as during the 1990s they concentrated on the Kirov. The Bolshoi was quite different with their different rep and dancers. They introduced ballets like Raymonda and Spartacus and dancers like Ananiashvili, Sergei Filin and Svetlana Lunkina whom I saw debut Kitri in Don Q on her birthday; I think she was 21. Happy days! https://amp.theguardian.com/culture/1999/jul/21/artsfeatures3

Wow I didn't realise Tamara was nearly 50. I vaguely thought she was early to mid 40s (as I suppose Alina is now). Also with all the organisational work for the company as well as the choreography I suppose it would be difficult if not impossible, to maintain the level of fitness necessary for a new full length ballet. I only thought of seeing them because I'm a bit out of touch with ENBs ballerinas and I know them. I'm sure whoever I see will be splendid. Like maryrosesatonapin I always thought the Raymonda plot (and character) was incredibly weak and thin even by ballet standards. In the 1980s Bolshoi recordings the only saving grace (for me) was the terrific villain of Gediminas Taranda who's one of the handsomest, most charismatic male dancers I've ever seen. In Raymonda and Golden Age he even managed to upstage Irek Mukhamadov (not easy to do!) The only time I've seen it live is when the Bolshoi performed it at the Coliseum in 1999 where the fabulous Nina Anashvilli succeeded in making the ballet seem credible and the character interesting; an amazing achievement.

I know she left ENB but I thought the door was left open enough for her to guest occasionally. It sounds like just her sort of role but possibly not to be. Also hoped Tamara might dance it but perhaps at a later run when she won't have all the media attention of her first choreographed full length ballet.

Janet, I had heard that it was coming to the Palace, Manchester Oct 2022 but can't remember the source. I wish BRB and ENB announced their casting more in advance. If they're dancing it I'd like to see Tamara and Alina in Raymonda at the Coliseum and Brandon Lawrence in Don Q at Birmingham. I was told Raymonda casting would be announced in Oct. Any idea when Don Q casting will be announced?

In an updated version (Aug 4th) of the Trafalgar Studios posting I did earlier Trafalgar say they will launch the new ROH season on Tuesday September 7th. Tried to copy and paste the announcement but can't manage it on my phone. I had heard every programme is being either streamed or shown at the cinema. Filming dates have been announced for Romeo, Sambe/O'Sullivan Jan 28, Dante 21st October, Ashton Insight (streamed) 27th October, Giselle Naghdi/Ball 10th Nov, Nutcracker 6th Dec, Takada/Coralles.

The ROH reply to my query to Customer Services about lack of a seat view when booking seats. A new purchase path is being created for the website and during this time the seat view is not available but will return later in the year with a new seat map alongside it. Please accept our apologies for this inconvenience. What is a purchase path? A a new seat purchasing package? Is a seat map a seating plan? if so, what's wrong with the old one which I always found clear and easy to use (once you got the size right). Why is it that technical queries have to be answered in jargon? Still, at least I got a reply.

I think it was the publisher who said the ROH shop would reopen in September and would stock the book. I hope to get a copy when I'm there in Oct.

Great to see Kobborg is back at the ROH. Perhaps sometime in the future we may see his production of La Sylphide again. Its been so long practically all the roles will be debuts; wonderful!

Unfortunately I can't see many bookshops stocking it (their loss). I think even Waterstones said they would get it from the publisher, meaning you had to order it. However the ROH shop is stocking it when it reopens in September and if you're a Friend, presumably you can get your 10% off.

I realised later in the evening when I revisited the ROH ticket sales that when I clicked Select and it started egg timing away I needed to click Select again and it then allowed me to select the seat and put it in my basket. I wish I'd thought of that at 9am instead of panicking! The seat view was also a bit hit and miss, sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

Not really. Too busy trying to get the technology to work to savour the WOW moment of actually booking tickets after so long. Though I had already done it for the summer concerts so wasn't actually a first. Might be a good strategy for next time LinMM. Though this time wouldn't have been so bad if my computer hadn't kept egg timing instead of letting me select tickets. It's never done that before. Yes, they have filmed the Insight days in the past zxDaveM (tried to edit my post but it won't let me copy your quote here) They are free too though unfortunately they've never filmed the interviews. Pity as I'd love to have seen Hayward and Sambe but can't justify an overnight London stay in addition to the performance overnights.

Well, eventually succeeded in booking for Romeo, Giselle and Nutcracker but it was a very stressful experience. Whenever I login and see it says you've got an hour to book I think great, but once you've selected a ticket it seems it defaults to 30 minutes which when you've got 5 or 6 tickets to buy and your equipment starts malfunctioning isn't very long! To start with I got through to the website within a minute of logging on at 9am which was great. Then I went to select my first ticket and it just kept egg timing away as soon as I selected it before I could even put it in my basket. Tried logging out and logging in again but just the same. Felt my stress levels rising and tried my phone which I prefer not to use as selection is quite fiddly on a small screen. Something came up for £122; certainly not within my price range!! I went to get this biro I was given which has a rubber top to it for mobile phone use and this seemed to work not too bad. At least there was no egg timing and once you'd got the size of your seat dot OK I managed to book what I wanted. However, by that time I'd only 5 minutes left to purchase and had problems with my seat certificate number which meant revisiting the original email (nearly 18 months ago when I cancelled Swan Lake). Though I did get a nice surprise as I realised I actually had 2 gift certificates which was great. Then PayPal was problematic, then I had a message saying I needed to contact the box office which I ignored and put my card details in. Finally it went through!!!!!!! The ROH confirmation email came quickly too. I do think they need to give you a bit longer, though fortunately once I'd started to pay the system seems to recognise this and gave me extra time which is just as well as I ended up taking well over 30 minutes. I'm now going to lie down in a darkened room!

Read the link and it makes the book sound terrific. Definitely a 'must have' though I might wait and get it from the ROH shop with my Friends discount when I'm there for the ballet later on (providing there are any affordable tickets tomorrow!)

I emailed and asked when casting would be available for Raymonda and was told it would probably be October and to sign up for email newsletters (which I already am).