jmhopton

Russian gala, courtesy of Don Q fan who told me about it. Vadim/Sarah Lamb doing the Manon bedroom pas de deux. Also the Tchaikovsly pas de deux which for me didn't take off quite as much as the WBD rehearsal, partly spoilt by poor filming. But at least I've seen him do it in performance. No idea how long it's available for. Lasts about 2 hours. Program: 1. “Scheherazade” duet of Golden Slave and Zobeide Dancers: Nadejda Batoeva and Konstantin Zverev- Principal dancers at the Mariinsky theatre. Choreography by M. Fokin, music by N. Rimsky-Korsakov 2. “The Dying Swan” Dancer: Nina Kaptcova- Prima-ballerina at the Bolshoi theatre in Moscow. Choreography by M. Fokin, music by C. Saint-Saëns 3. “Mémoires de la Belle Époque » Dancers: Claudio Cangialosi and Nicola Wills- Principal dancers at the Royal ballet of Flanders. Choreography by Claudio Cangialosi, music by Andrey Leshukov 4. « Sonata » Dancers: Silvia Azzoni and Olexandr Ryabko -Principal dancers at the Hamburg Ballett choreography by Uwe Scholz, music by S. Rachmaninoff 5. “Manon” Dancers: - Vadim Muntagirov and Sarah Lamb - Principal dancers at the Royal Opera House, London. Choreography by K. MacMillan, music by J. Massenet 6. “Vse ne tak” Dancer: Mikhail Loboukhin - Principal dancer at the Bolshoi theatre in Moscow. Choreography by M. Iwata, music by V. Visotsky 7. “End of Eternity” Dancers: Yumi Aizawa, Sasha Riva - Principal dancers at the Grand Théâtre de Genève. Choreography by Sasha Riva, music by Philip Glass 8. “Faun” Dancers: Claudio Cangialosi and Nicola Wills- Principal dancers at the Royal ballet of Flanders. Choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, music by C. Debussy 9. “Last Tango” Dancers: Nina Kaptcova and Mikhail Loboukhin- Principal dancers at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow. Choreography by Vyacheslav Gordeev. Music by A. Piazzolla 10. “Falling the art of flying” Dancers: Silvia Azzoni and Olexandr Ryabko -Principal dancers at the Hamburg Ballet, Germany. Choreography by Natalia Horecna. Music by J.S. Bach 11. « L'Histoire du soldat » Dancers: Yumi Aizawa, Sasha Riva and Simone Repele- Principal dancers at the Grand Théâtre de Genève. Choreography by Simone Repele. Music by T.G. Albinoni 12. “Le Parc” Dancers: Nadejda Batoeva and Konstantin Zverev- Principal dancers at the Mariinsky theatre. Choreography by Angelin Preljocaj. Music by W. A. 13. « Tschaikovsky Pas de deux » Dancers: - Vadim Muntagirov and Sarah Lamb - Principal dancers at the Royal Opera House, London. Choreography by George Balanchine. Music by P.I.Tchaikovsky 14. FINAL with all stars.

I think the BRB Lazuli Sky was £10. ENB have several streamed (previously recorded) performances for hire. Can't remember the prices of all of them but they vary according to length and subject. I bought their Le Corsaire with Vadim and Alina Cojacaru which was £7.99 and also the doc. about ENBS visit to Paris Opera House to perform it which cost £4.99. The main snag with ENB is you only get three days to watch them which seems a bit mean when you're paying. You think they could manage a week at least.

SkyArts are showing Giselle again Friday 20 Nov 7-9am. So it looks as it they're reverting to Friday again. Like the previous screening it says it's the Acosta/Osipova version but who knows?

What a tantalising clip of such a historic ballet. I'm sure the RB staged it not too long ago (10 years?). it would be great to see it again.

Thanks very much for this Janet. I'll definitely be watching this. I'm one of the ones who loved this production and prefer it to the more recent one. Brings back fond memories of the great Jeremy Kerridge as Renfield. I still have my plastic coffin with chocolate in it and box of 2 garlic bulbs from 1998 (though I've changed the garlic bulbs a few times!)

Just noticed a couple more ballet/ballet related programmes. 5 Select Freeview Friday 6th Nov. 1020am and 11.25 am A Nutcracker Christmas (short film) Jaded former ballerina Lily is forced to come to terms with the life - and love - she left behind when her niece Sadie, herself a ballet prodigy, is asked to take the starring role in The Philadelphia Ballet's production of Tchaikovsky's festive favourite The Nutcracker. However, the production is being directed by none other than Lily's old flame Mark. Festive romantic drama, starring Amy Acker, Sascha Radetsky and Sophia Lucia SkyArts Tuesday 10 Nov. 7am-9am Moulin Rouges ballet. Production of the ballet based on Baz Luhrmann's 2001 musical romantic drama, choreographed by Jorden Morris I've seen it before and quite liked it though I know it's not to everyone's taste.

Still no word of either of the upcoming performances being filmed, alas. I'd LOVE to see a filmed performance of the Tchaikovsky pas de deux if nothing else; whether Marianella/Vadim or Marcellino/Anna Rose. That was definitely one of the WBD highlights for me. I enjoyed the Company class but did it last longer than normal? I thought it was usually and hour whereas this time it was 90 minutes. Much as I enjoy Company class I think I would have preferred more rehearsals but I suppose you have to go with whatever they're doing. I too thought there were too many distant shots of the auditorium and I wished the dancers had something with their names on (or Brian refer to them by name more) so I didn't spend quite so much time trying to figure out who was who. Another highlight was Valentino's choreography. What an amazing piece and what talent he has. I must confess to much preferring his choreography to that of either Christopher Wheeldon or Wayne Macgregor. I thought his previous pas de deux The Sun is God was one of the best pas de deux I've seen and was rather disappointed it wasn't done for the Oct concert. It would have been great to highlight such home grown talent but I'm glad we're seeing his work now. I keep hoping that when finances permit he will be appointed resident choreographer as there is a current vacancy. That would be a great way of harnessing his undoubted talent and keeping him in the Company. It was also great to see Fernando Montano too and doing Dance of the Blessed Spirits. Wonderful to see him again and given a solo role which his talents deserve. All in all a great four hours and haven't even got round to seeing any of the other offerings yet. I never thought we'd get to see WBD this year and it's been a great treat and much needed antidote to the medical doom and gloom.

if the prince was Vadim I'd pay the £600 to take him home with me!

Yes I've received one too.

Ah, I didn't know about stories. I'll have to try this. They don't make it clear for the uninitiated. I wondered how people got so much information off Instagram when it seemed just a place to post photos or videos. You've opened up a whole new world for me oncnp! Thanks very much for this.

Thanks oncnp. I would have thought if they were only streaming one programme it would be WTGH as Elite Syncopation was streamed for the last concert. I don't think I'm very good with Instagram as the latest postings on Vadims account I can see are stills of him in Giselle. There is one of him rehearsing corsaire abroad but its a month or two ago. Is there anything on it about him rehearsing corsaire at the ROH? If it's as good as the performance of it he gave at the Fonteyn gala last year it will be incredible.

I did have a reply from a letter I wrote to Kevin O'Hare in which he said he hopes he may be able to stream one of the programmes. However time is going on if they want to publicise this. Don't they start next week? I was keeping everything crossed for a stream of Vadim doing the Tchaikovsky pas de deux whose rehearsals features in the WBD programme as I won't be able to make it to the ROH.

Had a reply to my letter from Kevin O'Hare today in which he says 'We hope that we might be able to stream one of the programmes coming up in November'. So hope yet. He also offered some insights on Carousel when I asked him if the RB had danced it before as it was originally staged for the National Theatre. 'Glad you enjoyed the Carousel piece. Yes, we had revived it for a gala here some years ago with Sarah Lamb and Carlos Acosta and then later that year I put it in a programme we took to New York. I was hoping to include it in the upcoming programmes again but it is a huge orchestration so unable to do it now we have restricted numbers in the pit.' So hope again that this piece will be revived when things are more normal. It would be a perfect gala piece, perhaps for the first night of the ROH opening with a full house and orchestra!

Thanks oncnp. Got it now. Promise not to mention any other dancers but was intrigued why Joseph Sissens did a brief introduction to the concert but didn't seem to be participating. Does anyone know? Tried Facebook and Instagram but couldn't see anything.

Yes, I too have really enjoyed revisiting DAAG which I preferred to The Cellist. Usually I tend to get a bit bored with ballets that have a succession of similar dances (I think Elite Syncopations is a bit too long) but I loved DAAG from the first time I saw it in the cinema. Especially love both Laura Moreras and Alex Campbells performance and wished in a way they'd reprised them for the concert. Anyway, DAAG is a great ballet and I'm looking forward to seeing it a few more times yet.

Thanks oncnp. I did look at her last 2 Instagram posts but didn't see anything. Haven't really grasped how it works yet!

Does anyone know anything about Beatrix Stix Brunel? Just realised she wasn't in the concert (couldn't see her name, anyway) and can't see anything recent on social media (though I'm not at all expert on it!)

Thanks very much for this Bluebird. Can't say I'm surprised but if it's been decided why not announce it on their own website? I did receive a reply from Alex Beard today (he's usually quite prompt at replying considering how busy he must be). He thanked me for my letter and was pleased I enjoyed the performance but he's letting Kevin reply to my queries so we'll have to see what he says about the streaming. I can't see why they wouldn't stream the programmes but if so why not say so when they're announced?

Yes I agree. I didn't really think there would be any promotions this year given the financial circumstances but it would be nice to be told this and had it official. Would also be nice to know about whether or not the Nov performances are going to be streamed. The problem is, if they're paid streams most people will have seen Elite Syncopations already. I assume casting will be much the same because of the bubble situation. Still, it will be worth paying just to see everything else. I did praise the live concert very highly and say what an emotional joy it is to see the RB back on stage again.

I have emailed both Alex Beard and Kevin O'Hare a week ago to ask if the Nov programmes are being streamed and also if there are going to be any RB promotions this year but haven't heard back yet.

I thought I had posted this review earlier but can't see it on the Forum. Mods please remove it if I'm duplicating myself (senility setting in early, alas!) Well! What a fabulous evening! It was very well planned and fabulously executed. No one would think only a few months ago all dancers were doing classes on Zoom in their living rooms and kitchens. it was as if they've never been off stage at all and as if these last few terrible months had never existed (if only!) Seems terrible to single out individual performances out of so much excellence but for me there were a few stand out performances. Best Discovery of the night. Sir Kenneth Macmillan's Carousel pas de deux danced so fabulously by Mayara and Matthew. I've never seen it before. Have the RB danced it before as it was created for the National Theatre? It was so passionately danced, and the choreography was so wonderful it just heightens the loss of Kenneth Macmillan if that was the last piece he created. So much nicer to remember him for that rather than Judas tree. Most joyous performance of the night. Definitely Marcelino and Anna Rose in La Fille. I really got quite emotional when the audience joined in clapping along to Anna Rose. This is what live theatre is all about, and then Marcelino joining in as well. Made me realise it's been too long since la Fille was staged and it's the sort of ballet we all want to see right now, to bring life, colour and, above all, FUN back to our lives. Best classical performance of the night. Of course, it had to be Marianela and Vadim, she of the infectious smile and amazing balances, and his split-level leaps and amazing turns and wonderful partnering. Wow!! Doncaster Dances. A brilliant short film on how dancing can change and inspire lives and a little-known part of the RB that people should know about. Finale. Inspired choice to have the colour and light-heartedness of Elite Syncopations - and so many dancers! it was really terrific. Melissa Hamilton was superb (why isn't she given more chances?) and great to see Fernando Montano again. I expect I'll be dipping in and out of the entire concert many times in the next month (maybe I'll even get to like Medusa!). The whole programme was a wonderful encapsulation of the strength and depth of the RB and their incredible, (definitely world beating!) repertoire and talent. It was so emotional to see them back on stage and with an audience which makes all the difference, and their enthusiastic response meant you hardly noticed they were so reduced. The stress on light-heartedness and love of dance was just what people wanted after six months of doom and gloom. It's inspired me to raid my dvds and watch many of these wonderful performances again as well as see the performance itself again and again.

I just watched it on iplayer thanks to the tip off from here. Elite Syncopation looked fabulous and loved the few words from Marianella and Vadim, especially when she referred to him as her 'work husband' on account of them being in the same bubble.

Went to see the Red Shoes at my local Vue cinema this afternoon and really enjoyed it, and the feeling of attending a performance again, albeit on the cinema screen rather than a live show. I'm not at all a fan of Matthew Bournes's productions and this is the first full length ballet of his I've enjoyed. Of course the storyline was terrific. The Red Shoes is one of my favourite films (could watch Anton Walbrook for ever though he so often play slightly creepy characters). I thought it great Matthew Bourne kept so close to the film scenario and used the score. Loved the sets and costumes and the scene on the beach at the Riviera (was it taken from Le Traine Bleu or just a pastiche of it?) The music hall scene near the end was really good too. The sand dance like the old Wilson, Kepple and Betty music hall act was terrific and had us all laughing at the cinema, though where was Betty? Adam Cooper was uncannily like Anton Walbrook though I wish he'd had more dancing to do. I thought Matthew could have given him a solo at least or perhaps a fantasy like dance with Vicky. The only snag was I kept thinking back to when I last saw Adam in a great classical role, as Onegin with the RB. he was possibly the best Onegin I've ever seen. Of course the two characters were rather similar. Anyway, a really good afternoon and I hope it will be on TV sometime as the BBC were involved. It would make a great Christmas ballet. Incidentally, still haven't seen the RB Giselle or Nutcracker on the Vue or Odeon calendars yet. has anyone else seen them advertised at all? I know it's early days yet, especially for the Nutcracker but Events are often advertised well in advance. I hope cinemas will take them as they're repeats though the Bolshoi seem to manage.

I vividly remember when the Forum was forced was forced to close for a short time. It was a nightmare. I felt so cut off and bereft. Not living near London I am almost totally reliant on the Forum for news, information and discussion and what a boon it has always been being easily able to find out so much about so many Companies and programmes. I log on most days and it's like returning to an old friend. Even in these difficult times there is always something to read and think and comment about and it is a great way to forget about other problems (especially the virus!) Worth every penny I can contribute! Many thanks to the mods for all their hard work and enthusiasm. It wouldn't happen without them and we're all so grateful.

Yes, the first thing that struck me from the Guardian article is it only mentioned three 'bubble couples' whereas Alexander and Claire make 4. I'm glad Alex at least is mentioned in the list of principals as I was rather disappointed he and Claire were omitted from the previous short concerts and was really hoping to see them this time.