jmhopton

I certainly agree about Morera being underused for both cinema performances and also performances in general. I believe she was scheduled to do the cinema broadcast of Two Pigeons but was replaced by Fumi Kaneko because she was injured. I was more annoyed that her and Bonelli's Mayerling wasn't filmed as they were superb in the roles and may never dance them again.

Thanks Richard. Very useful.

I thought it a bit misleading that the cinema publicity did have Naghdi/Ball in the photo of the Sleeping Beauty. Perhaps Kevin O'hare originally intended their cast to be filmed and then changed his mind for some reason. As Aurora is supposed to be a teenager it would seem to make sense to film this casting or even the Hayward/Campbell cast which I thought sublime when I was lucky enough to see their one performance when it was done previously. Incidentally I haven't seen any publicity in the Odeon cinema listing for the RB Nutcracker. I don't see why they should not screen it when Nutcracker is so popular and I'm sure most people attending will not know or care whether it is a repeat. Also they don't seem to have a problem with screening Bolshoi repeats. Are any other cinemas showing it? I couldn't see it mentioned at Vue either which is my other local cinema.

Yes my original was a PDF but as I had such a bother to transfer it to the Forum I changed it to a Word doc but still had bother so that's why I just ended up copying it in full. How did you do it JNC? My technical skills aren't that great! Like you JNC I don't know why it can't be easily available on the wonderful new website. I tried again searching for it several times under every permutation I can think of and still can't find it. So I emailed them again to thank them for getting back to me so promptly and for the information but asking for a URL so I can access it every season without having to email but I haven't heard back yet. I'll keep you posted!

I tried repeatedly to do this using the 'choose files' option as I have done before but for some reason it didn't come up in my documents list when I searched from the forum even though it did seem to be there. I also tried the paperclip option but didn't really know how it worked; how to drag a document file from my hard drive to the Forum.

Tried and failed to get the very accessible winter casting format put out by the Royal Ballet for the autumn period so I emailed the website customer services (website.customerservices.roh.org.uk if anyone wants it) and they very helpfully sent it to me as an attachment. Tried for an hour to copy it here as an attachment and failed (they sent it as a read-only document and a pdf which I had to change to Word) so here is the complete thing. Moderators please remove it if it is too space consuming or feel free to re-format it. I've printed it off for myself. it's great for booking even though I haven't fully booked for autumn yet! Casting for Royal Ballet performances 18 January – 16 May 2020 MAIN STAGE Onegin Choreography John Cranko Music Kurt-Heinz Stolze after Pyotr Il’yich Tchiakovsky Generous philanthropic support from Mrs Aline Foriel-Destezet (Production Principal), Sir Lloyd and Lady Dorfman, Lindsay and Sarah Tomlinson, the Paul Ferguson Memorial Fund, Peter Lloyd, the Friends of Covent Garden and the American Friends of Covent Garden Saturday 18 January at 1.30pm Cuthbertson*, Soares#, Hinkis, Donnelly*, Mock* (Tatiana, Onegin, Olga, Lensky, Prince Gremin) Saturday 18 January at 7pm Osipova, Muntagirov*, Hayward*, Ball, Avis Tuesday 21 January at 7.30pm Nuñez, Hirano*, Takada, Edmonds, Clarke* Friday 24 January at 7.30pm Naghdi*, Bonelli, O’Sullivan*, Sissens*, Gartside Friday 7 February at 7.30pm Osipova, Muntagirov, Hayward, Ball, Avis Saturday 8 February at 7.30pm Nuñez, Hirano, Takada, Edmonds, Clarke Wednesday 12 February at 7.30pm Osipova, Muntagirov, Hayward, Ball, Avis Friday 21 February at 7.30pm Naghdi, Bonelli, O’Sullivan, Sissens, Gartside Saturday 22 February at 7pm Cuthbertson, Soares, Hinkis, Donnelly, Mock Monday 24 February at 7.30pm Naghdi, Bonelli, O’Sullivan, Sissens, Gartside Thursday 27 February at 7.30pm Nuñez, Hirano, Takada, Edmonds, Clarke Saturday 29 February at 7.30pm Cuthbertson, Soares, Hinkis, Donnelly, Mock *Role debut with The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House #Guest artist /continued MAIN STAGE New Cathy Marston New Liam Scarlett Choreography Cathy Marston | Music Philip Feeney Choreography Liam Scarlett Generous philanthropic support from The Taylor Family Foundation New Cathy Marston – Generous philanthropic support from Sue Butcher and the Young Philanthropists New Liam Scarlett – Generous philanthropic support from Victoria Robey ꢀꢁꢂ and Rachael Stearns Liam Scarlett’s role as Artist in Residence is generously supported by Ricki Gail and Robert Conway Monday 17 February at 7.30pm New Cathy Marston: Cuthbertson*, Ball*, Richardson* New Liam Scarlett: Nuñez*, Morera*, McRae*, Bracewell* Tuesday 18 February at 7.30pm New Cathy Marston: Cuthbertson, Ball, Richardson New Liam Scarlett: Nuñez, Morera, McRae, Bracewell Tuesday 25 February at 7.30pm† New Cathy Marston: Cuthbertson, Ball, Richardson New Liam Scarlett: Nuñez, Morera, McRae, Bracewell Friday 28 February at 7.30pm New Cathy Marston: Stix-Brunell*, Corrales*, Sambé* New Liam Scarlett: tba Monday 2 March at 7.30pm New Cathy Marston: Cuthbertson, Ball, Richardson New Liam Scarlett: Nuñez, Morera, McRae, Bracewell Wednesday 4 March at 7.30pm New Cathy Marston: Stix-Brunell, Corrales, Sambé New Liam Scarlett: tba *Role debut with The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House †Live cinema relay /continued MAIN STAGE Swan Lake Choreography Liam Scarlett after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov Music Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky Thursday 5 March at 7pm Nuñez, Muntagirov (Odette/Odile, Prince Siegfried) Friday 6 March at 12 noon Takada, McRae Tuesday 10 March at 7.30pm Takada, McRae Wednesday 11 March at 7.30pm Osipova, Hallberg*# Thursday 12 March at 7.30pm Nuñez, Muntagirov Wednesday 18 March at 7.30pm Osipova, Hallberg Friday 20 March at 7.30pm Takada, McRae Sunday 22 March at 4pm Cuthbertson, Bracewell Wednesday 25th March at 7.30pm Osipova, Hallberg Thursday 26th March at 7.30pm Cuthbertson, Bracewell Saturday 28 March at 7.30pm Hayward*, Corrales* Tuesday 31 March at 7.30pm Lamb, Hirano Wednesday 1 April at 7.30pm† Cuthbertson, Bracewell Wednesday 8 April at 7.30pm Hayward, Corrales Monday 13 April at 1.30pm Lamb, Hirano Monday 13 April at 7.30pm Kaneko, Bonelli Wednesday 15 April at 7.30pm Magri*, Sambé* Wednesday 22 April at 7.30pm Lamb, Hirano Tuesday 28 April at 7.30pm Naghdi, Ball Friday 1 May at 7.30pm Nuñez, Muntagirov Saturday 9 May at 7.30pm Naghdi, Ball Saturday 16 May at 1.30pm Naghdi, Ball Saturday 16 May at 7.30pm Nuñez, Muntagirov *Role debut with The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House #Principal guest artist †Live cinema relay The Royal Ballet Winter Ballet Casting 2020 (2).docx

Yes I tried booking a package today. I wanted the total ballet package as that gives the best discount and for the first time ever I want to attend all the ballets in a season. I've got used to stalls circle recently and hoped the discount would offset the fact that the cheaper bench stalls circle seats weren't on offer. However one look at the prices for Sleeping Beauty and Manon had me rapidly switching to the amphi package! I just booked one package with three seats on front row of the amphi and hope I can pick up some of the cheaper stalls circle tickets when public booking opens next week.

When I first saw the Onegin castings I just saw Osipova/Muntagirov/Hayward/Ball and then Naghdi/Bonelli/Hayward/Sissens and I thought WOW what fabulous casting (especially seeing Joseph Sissens in a really great role; it was terrible he wasn't made soloist). Then I looked a bit further and also the Swan lake casts and thought 'Where is Campbell'? Why isn't he being given a leading role in at least one of the major winter ballets? Ball would be good as Onegin too though I understand there are so many great RB dancers it is difficult to give everyone the roles and chances they deserve. Also Sambe doesn't feature too much or Bracewell or Reece Clark or James Hay. Pity Hayward isn't being given a chance of Tatiana. When The RB first acquired Onegin Alina danced both Olga and Tatiana. It would be good if that flexibility could be applied to some of the Winter casts and even the autumn ones. I would love to see Vadim in Enigma variations; possibly more than Raymonda. I do think he will be terrific in Onegin; can't wait.

Haven't seen anything balletwise in next weeks Radio Times but they did publish my third ballet letter to them in which I praised the recent ballets shown on SkyArts and said it was a pity ballet and opera was not better represented on terrestrial tv especially as the BBC Director General was the previous Chief Executive of the ROH. The letter is headed Heavenly Footwork (their heading not mine!) and is rather tucked away at the bottom of the third feedback page.

I was accessing it from my computer. Come to think of it it's happened several times from there. I've just tried accessing it now from my iPhone and the link worked fine so it I'll access links from my phone from now on.

Thanks very much for posting this MJW as I couldn't read it on the Links without subscribing.

Fabulous video clips and it makes me wish the Bolshoi had brought it this time to alternate with all those Spartacus'. It also makes me wish we could see it again with the RB. Think of all those debuts ; Hayward /Campbell, O'Sullivan/Sambe, Naghdi /Ball, not to mention Vadim.

Yes sorry about this. I forgot to mention it is a POB production. Interesting to see how it compares to Ashton's The Dream. I've always tended to prefer the latter shorter version as it just seems so much more magical somehow but will be interested to see a longer version.

SkyArts are showing Balanchine's Midsummer Nights Dream as a new ballet to them though possibly the one filmed for broadcast two years ago. No casting details on sky box or Radio Times. It is shown on Sunday 21st July at 9.10am to 11am. Can't see a repeat up to Friday of next week which is when the Radio Times ends.

I thought he used to be senior ballet master but he wasn't when I checked which made me think it must be a new post after all. I didn't see he was now rehearsal director. Does Christopher Carr still do any rehearsing? I used to enjoy his insight rehearsals though Christopher Saunders and Gary Avis are great too.

Do you need to stay in London overnight JNC? I find the trouble with last minute tickets is then I have to pay even more inflated prices for transport and accommodation. If I leave matinee booking until later I'm concerned I won't get the seats I want as they tend to sell pretty fast for others like me who don't want to add hotel costs to their already large ROH bill.

My 'hopes' for the autumn season (haven't been able to book yet as am not a Friend so waiting for public packages or public booking) Manon Lamb/Muntagirov (primarily because of the very unexpected but welcome matinee which means I don't need to pay for an overnight stay.) Hayward/Cambell/Corrales/Magri. An exceptional dream team with potentially 2 very exciting debuts and also a matinee. Morera/Bonelli. Bit of soul searching financially for this. Would love to see them as have never seen Morera in this role and suspect this might be my last chance. (Didn't Bonelli do it in the cinema broadcast with Nunez a few years ago?) Wednesday not a good day evening staywise for me as can only get my 'cheap' hotel at the weekend but might have to go anyway. Would love to see Osipova and certainly would after the Hayward matinee if she wasn't paired with Hallberg whose partnering I was really concerned about just in the R and Juliet Fonteyn gala pas de deux. Now if it was Shklyarov you couldn't have kept me away! Concerto triple The cinema broadcast gives a really excellent cast and is great to see a triple being filmed. However... The Saturday 12 o'clock matinee on Nov 2nd also seems to have a must-see cast' and great it's a matinee. Also the cast for Wed evening 18th Dec. Sleeping Beauty Not a great fan of this and annoyed the cinema broadcast isn't the Naghdi/Ball cast featuring in the promotions as this would have spared me the expense of a ROH visit. Cuthbertson has already had a filmed performance with Polunin. If it couldn't have been Naghdi/Ball because they've had a filmed Romeo and J why couldn't if have been the Hayward/Campbell cast? To me they gave the standout performance last time it was performed and as they only managed the one I was so lucky to have seen it. Hayward/Campbell O'Sullivan/Hay Probably Naghdi/Ball Coppelia Don't really like the ballet and even watching the wonderful Australian Ballet version recently broadcast on SkyArts didn't really make a convert of me. For me the second act drags on interminably and have never been a huge fan of the third act so to see a ballet when all the interesting dance you want to see comes in the first act is a bit of a letdown. However, I've had similar thoughts about several RB ballets in the last few years and have ended up being captivated by individual performances so I'm hoping they'll perform their magic again. Incidentally Franz is a role I've never visualised Vadim dancing let alone in the cinema broadcast so I'll be interested to see what he makes of it. I would have preferred to see one of the younger couples at the cinema in such a young persons ballet but I suppose it's the only filmed full length ballet he could star in as he's already been filmed for Beauty and Swan Lake. O'Sullivan/Sambe Naghdi/Ball Magri/Coralles Hayward/McRae I selected these four as they are all huge favourites with me and I can see all of them on just 2 days with the wonders of casting and Saturday matinees.I would love to see Campbell/Morera as well but it would have to be a matinee and as their only matinee is Dec 23rd I don't know how practical that would be. When I told my brother I'd 'pared down' my Autumn RB performances to 12 he thought that was hilarious! The main worry is the expense, as for me it's not just the ticket price but transport and accommodation as well. Also I'm trying not to think about all the Onegins I'll probably want to see after Christmas! Has anyone any experience of declaring themselves bankrupt?!

I think Friday Rush is different as we were both discussing tickets kept back before public booking opens though I was certainly surprised to hear no tickets were kept back for public booking as I'm sure I've read several times on this Forum that a certain percentage of tickets were kept back for public booking. Like Onemouse above I would find it impossible to find the packages page on the new ROH website but I have now bookmarked it courtesy of a post from the Forum. It is http://www.roh.org.uk/help/package-faqs You can click on whichever of the FAQs is applicable to what you want to know eg booking dates etc.

I forgot earlier to offer congratulations to Gary Avis and Samantha Raine on their promotions to Chief Ballet Master and Chief Ballet Mistress. Really well deserved and a great idea from Kevin O'Hare as the new posts seemed to have been created for them (they are not in the current list of RB staff). Like the posts of Principal Character Artists which Kevin also created it is a great way of rewarding excellence and showing how important the roll of rehearsing, coaching and acting is to the RB productions.

Sorry I was posting from my phone and have obviously spelt it wrong initially and now it defaults to it automatically. The curse of predictive text!

I was confused about the packages information given on the ROH FAQs and emailed the ROH Customer Services today. I did get a very prompt reply. Here are my queries and their reply. "I just have a query re booking a ballet package. As I'm not a ROH Friend I realise the package booking doesn't apply until the 1st August. I am interested in attending all the ballets in the autumn period. However, how many tickets can I book? The website says A flexible package allows you to build your own series of performances according to the dates that suit you, letting you choose the seats for each performance. Can I book multiple dates for the same production? #Our packages are configured to offer a selection of productions and so you cannot buy multiple performances for a production within one package. The first quotation seems to contradict the second. Does that mean I cannot book more than one performance per ballet per package. So if I wanted to book 3 performances per ballet would I have to book 3 packages? Also as I book side stalls circles what seats are available in the packages? On your website it says only higher priced stalls circle seats are available for package booking but people who have actually booked said most stalls circle seats are available. Finally do you keep some side stalls circle seats in reserve for when public booking opens?" Their reply was "Please be advised that you can book up to a total of 9 tickets per performance within a Package. The number of tickets has to be exactly the same for every performance within the package. You can only have one performance of a particular ballet/opera production within a single package (i.e. you cannot double/triple up on the same ballet production within the same package). If for example you wanted to see a performance of Manon twice then you would need to book at least two different packages. The seats offered in the Stalls Circle will include all but the very lowest price categories (i.e. the bench seats, restricted view and standing positions). We have slightly relaxed the restriction on only being able to book the top two price categories for the forthcoming season, however I cannot guarantee that this will be the case for every season going forward. We do not hold back any seats in the main auditorium for public booking". So it looks like you can book up to 9 tickets per performance but not multiple single tickets for different nights of the same production (which is what I want). So if I want to book 3 tickets for all 4 ballets I will have to book 3 packages. Also I was rather surprised no tickets were kept back for public booking. I thought a certain percentage was kept back and that was one reason I decided not to opt for becoming a ROH Friend.

Especially pleased about Gasparini, O'Sullivan and Padjek but disappointed about no promotion for either Joseph Sissons or Francisco Serrano, especially as Joseph has been recently nominated for the Breakthrough award from SkyArts.

I take it Winter casting isn't in the new magazine. Any idea when it might be available? I'm thinking especially of Onegin.

Yes Moulin Rouge debuts on SkyArts on Sunday 14 July at 7pm. Lasts two hours. It is also repeated Monday 15 at 2.10am and Tuesday 16 at 4pm. Interesting that Joseph Sissons was nominated in the Breakthrough category in the SkyArts Awards though unfortunately he didn't win.

Going slightly off topic here but looked at the first page of the Royal Ballet 2019/20 season on Ballet Alert and was truly heartened to see how many Americans commented about how disappointed they were with the lack of Ashton. One even said Kevin O'hare had done a splendid job nurturing wonderful dancers but didn't give them wonderful rep. to dance. Others said Ashton should be the core of the RB rep. and doing just one piece on the main stage was not sufficient for dancers to really get into the Ashton style. Also by staging Ashton at the Linbury it gives the impression Ashton isn't really important to the Company or capable of attracting a wide audience. Another encapsulated my thought by saying she hoped there would be more Ashton for this season as an additional Fonteyn tribute.