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jmhopton

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Everything posted by jmhopton

  1. Well I've booked my tickets to Giselle, only 2 for now, but might manage another matinee. This was only made possible by the advance casting so many thanks to Aaron and Irmgard. I'm also really impressed at the amount of matinées and matinee casts. A really good mix of casts and many big names such as Kajda and Frola. Also pleased that Irmgard said other casts were, 'waiting in the wings' for future performances. I was worried that a traditional Giselle would be abandoned in favour of the Akram Khan version so really pleased this isn't the case. Add to this a pensioner ticket discount (something that would be nice for the ROH to adopt), and a very positive experience all round. Well done Aaron and ENB. A great start to his first full programmed season and I hope he is rewarded by good houses and appreciative audiences.
  2. Have been loving the Ashton triple. Such a wonderful treat. Watched Month in the Country (again!) with my husband tonight and marvelled at the intricate footwork of Anna Rose O'Sullivan in her solo. It seemed absolutely killing but she made it look so easy. I bet all Vera's have a genuine collapse into the armchair after it though the audience didnt seem to applaud which was unusual. The filming seemed good, though I thought they possibly took the camera off Marianela a second before she found the lost keys. The acting and dancing from everyone was just so good; you just became absorbed in the story and didn't want it to end. Terry said after seeing such amazing choreography and storytelling, traditional classical ballets seemed rather dated by comparison and I could see what he meant. The genius of Frederick Ashton!
  3. I'm excited by the casting and how far in advance it is! For me, it's great so I can try to sort out a combination of Giselle and Manon visits before the ROH Friends booking opens. So I'm definitely going to book for the Frola matinee and also the matinee on the 18th Jan as I want to stop over on the 17th after (hopefully) seeing the Manon rehearsal and opening night. I might book more Giselles (would like to see the opening night cast) but am conscious I'm not really saving for the Ashton like I hoped and we've still got SL to book for; not that I anticipate going to many as it's not a ballet I'm really keen on. Might give Winter's Tale a miss for the same reason though it may depend on casting. If Vadim does Leontes....? However, what I really want to know is does the Coliseum or ENB have a refund/credit policy at all? I've had to cancel so many performances/holidays for different reasons recently I get a bit stressed if I'm booking for something where I can't get a refund or credit. That's why the ROH is so good. You can book with confidence knowing if you have to cancel you can get credit and there are always future performances coming up you want to attend. Can't really say that with either the Coliseum or ENB so I'm just curious if anything is in place. Just had another thought. I was thinking of booking the side front row of the upper circle. I generally like an aisle seat if possible. What are the very end seats A 1 and 48 like? can you see the whole stage? I can't see a seat view. I know I could move 4 or 5 seats further in for the same price but am just curious about the end seats. I've sat on the front row before so know all about the restricted leg room. Is there a rail that gets in the way?
  4. I notice now when you click on the streaming link on the ROH website you get a lovely photo of Marianela in Month in the Country. Hopefully not long now though I still think they should have filmed the Morera/Muntagirov Month. Their performances were breathtaking and we'll never get them again.
  5. Thanks Sim. That's good to hear. I love looking out for him. He has great stage presence and I love seeing what he brings to any role he takes on. Would be great seeing him in bigger roles; hopefully later in the season.
  6. Thanks oncnp. That's good news. Just done a quick search on the streaming site and the only 'coming soon' I could find was Scenes de Ballet with Vadim. Have you definitely seen a reference to the entire triple or are they releasing them singly?
  7. HURRAH! AT LAST!!!!! Now all I have to do is rejoin the streaming service (but not until it's definitely there). Is there still a discount for Friends or was that just for the launch?
  8. Hurrah for Cheltenham! Ballet returns to the Everyman 10-11 May. Must try and see it there. Peterborough 1st June.
  9. What I've said before, many times, OnePigeon. In a way it is happening slowly as the Ashton Foundation do their Masterclasses which are coached by people who knew his works well well, and filmed and collected them on their website. I've provided the general link to their website. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-VFxoZ0k5S4n8bU3LUB6kw/videos?view=0&sort=dd Their rehearsal of Blessed Spirits by Anthony Dowell, performed by Vadim, led to Vadim performing it on the ROH stage, and the Hamlet and Ophelia rehearsal done for the filmed doc. Links in the Chain may have lead to it being performed on the main stage next summer. They also did a rehearsal session on Les Rendezvous which is another ballet featured next summer. So, small steps but every little helps. I do find the report that animals may be being excluded backstage a bit worrying. Something I might ask Kevin about if I see him at the stage door next season. I suppose you could perform Fille without a pony. It would be a loss to the production but still possible. But I don't see how you could perform 2 Pigeons without pigeons unless you created some sort of electronic version. Bizarre and not at all in the spirit of Ashton. Two Pigeons is one of my favourite ballets as well.
  10. Yes,good point, briediem and one Vadim himself mentioned in an an interview during (I think) one of his many guests with Cape Town Ballet. He said he could get quite a few more shows with them than he gets at the ROH. However, if his Instagram account is anything to go by he does seem to be a workaholic, having spent most of his Sumner 'break' guesting with other companies all over the world, so even if he had more ROH shows than he currently gets it still probably wouldn't be enough to stop him guesting. However, I don't know if what he dances abroad really extends him artistically as it seems to be a mix of galas and traditional full length ballets. Also, it's interesting that even though he dances so much he seldom gets injured and I wonder if that is because (as someone previously suggested) he doesn't mix dancing styles by taking on very modern dance works with very different physical demands. However, to return to his dancing rep, it is ironic that the one company with the rep to stretch him technically and artistically and to potentially encourage him to dance more over here is the RB; if they would utilise it. They have a back catalogue second to none if only we could see more of it. So many Ashton and Macmillan short ballets that are in danger of becoming obsolete under the use them or lose them mantra. Also Balanchine, Robbins, de Valois, most of the Ballet Russes rep and probably many others I've not even heard of as I've never seen them. It's very frustrating. Comes to something when a ballet like Fille which you think is one of the RB signature ballets, hasn't been programmed for over 5 years. Surely they have to programme it for the Ashton Foundation celebrations? You can't have an Ashton celebration without Fille. I'm hoping Iain and Margaret Webb from Sarasota will pass on some of their extensive knowledge of the more obscure Ashton rep when they're over here next Sumner. Kevin invited them so perhaps he's not totally in thrall to the modern mantra he seems to favour.
  11. Yesssss!!!!!! Vadim and Fumi in a major role together at the ROH AT LAST. So pleased Kevin has finally got round to pairing them together. That's 2 performances I'll definitely be attending though I wish Vadim did more matinees. He had one for Cinderella but I couldn't remember a previous one. Also, pleasantly surprised to see Osipova with a matinee as I don't think she does many though I'll probably not attend as I'll see her at the cinema. Perhaps Kevin is getting the message that not everyone can afford an expensive London overnight as well as expensive ROH tickets. I still feel cheated that the matinee reduced prices (apparently aimed especially at those of us who can't get home after an evening performance) were withdrawn without notice, not to mention the packages withdrawn which again seems misguided as it encouraged people to attend multiple performances. But of course the ROH aren't really interested in people attending multiple performances, just new people through the door willing to pay inflated prices for the ROH 'experience', possibly never to be seen again, or at least not very often. Anyway, mustn't get sidetracked by that hobby horse. Might try and combine the Skeaping Giselle with seeing Naghdi/Bracewell Manon Jan 20th 7.30. I can see a Giselle matinee on the Saturday and another Sun 21st though it might depend on ENB casting. I would love to see Frola but can't see him doing a matinee. However, if he's dancing the evening of the 18th Jan I could combine that with Manon rehearsal. So much juggling and so much expense but I'm sure it will be worth it. Just hope Giselle casting is announced before Friends booking Sept 19th. Judging by what Aaron Watkin said hopefully it will be. Must try and see Hamilton/Richardson as don't get much chance to see Melissa in leading roles, though I wish it was a matinee. Like others slightly disappointed Hayward isn't paired with Campbell but Sambe will be interesting and at least we get to see Campbell as Lescault and they get a first night which is great. Hayward is definitely my 'go to' Manon but I'm open to being convinced by others. Slightly disappointed Magri isn't given a chance but she did get Don Q as did O'Sullivan whom I never saw as the Mistress but of course she does get the pas de deux with Lescault. So much for saving up for the Ashton!
  12. Ah, the website. Everything always ends up coming back to the website, whether it's booking, seating plans or even finding out basic information. Everything seemed easier on the old website with all the links at the bottom of the page for easy access to most enquiries.
  13. Also a terrific pas de six in Laurencia with Osipova. It was those 2 performances that made me extra keen to see him in Don Q, especially as I think he was also injured the last time it was performed (2019?) when he should have debuted. However, not to be. I wish him a good recovery and hopefully we'll see him in Manon next year.
  14. SCS are the same at £14 but the restricted view SC seats I like are £4 cheaper than Don Q, £63 instead of £67 so I don't really see the logic of that.
  15. Well, I decided to cancel my 2 Don Q performances on the 28th Oct. Mixture of cost, not so much the tickets for once but the £200 it would have cost for transport and accommodation (if I'm lucky!) I'm still going to 5 performances and will see Matthew/Mayara at the cinema and can always go twice as our local Odeon has started showing the encore performances as well. Also, I booked a matinee ticket for Nutcracker 1st Jan to see Annette Buvoli and Marianne so I just need to know about transport on Jan 1st. Do trains run a Bank Holiday service? I know National Express seem to be operating but I'd need to go from Chelt as the coaches from Preston are fairly non existent. Plenty of tickets left for this performance and I even managed a standing ticket. I noticed when I cancelled the evening performance (Takada/Acri) that it said there was filming. I wondered if it was a Japanese Company for Takada as sometimes in the past they have filmed her or Ryio. Shame about missing Acri. I was looking forward to seeing him but am conscious I don't know how many Manon's I will want to see and also know just how many Ashtons I want to see; far more than I can afford!!! The evening performance (Takada/Acri 28th Oct) I cancelled was a SCS if anyone is interested. £14 D46. Credit was instantly in my account. I'm impressed.
  16. Me too, art_enthusiast. Would also like to see Annette Buvoli as SPF but the only performance they're together is New Years Day when there is public transport but not very much. Seems to be Annette's only performance which is a shame. A lot of work for one performance, unless I've missed one. Its a matinee too which is good news for not needing to stay over but not so great for getting there on time. Might have to take the risk, though. Thanks very much for providing the information, capybara. Very good of you as it must have taken a lot of time and effort.
  17. Just a reminder that Balanchine's Nutcracker is on SkyArts Thurs 10th Aug, 1.15 AM! It is also now repeated SkyArts Tues 15th Aug 6.10am SkyArts Ballet L'Orent Rumpelstiltskin Sun 13th Aug 6am
  18. Yes, I mentioned the not showing of Ashton at the cinema in the original new season discussion. Especially as it's supposed to be the launch of a several year Ashton celebration you'd think a cinema relay would be a great way of publicising it to an international audience. They're broadcasting 2 Macmillan bills and some modern looking thing called Message in a Bottle but nothing of the varied and exciting looking programmes of the Founder Choreographer. I know they haven't even got round to streaming last years triple bill so perhaps there are copyright or rights issues, especially as they're owned by different people. But Ashton mixed bills have been broadcast before and transferred to dvds so I can't understand the problem. I did ask Kevin at the stage door once and he assured me it was 'in hand' and I think that was Feb!!!
  19. I've bought 7 Don Qs which is perhaps slightly more than intended but wanted to see Vadim in 2 performances and the other 4 casts are 2 Saturdays with 2 performances each to save on transport and accommodation and to see dancer combinations that sounded great like Osipova/Sambe, and intriguing, Takada/Acri. However, I have spent less on tickets and bought 4 SCS as I tried standing in Cinderella and found it OK so thought as seats are so expensive (I think my usual SC tickets are £67 each so the standing tickets represent quite a saving). In fact I cancelled so many performances earlier I just used my credit for them, and also used it to renew my Friends membership. The downside of booking Saturdays I found out afterwards was accommodation has just gone crazy on a Saturday night; £60-£80 a night for a single room has doubled so what I save on tickets I Iose on accommodation and don't get me started on train prices!
  20. A couple of times in the last month my upcoming events disappeared from my mailbox. The first time I emailed the friends and they sorted it. Then it happened again but they just reappeared eventually. Also, sometimes they appear on the computer but not when I login on my phone. The latter is a bit concerning for the actual event so I might print them out for the actual visit which I was really trying to avoid.
  21. Where are you looking to sit, Angela? There appears to be a good spread of availability for both, though no SC standing unless any are kept back for public booking. Like Bluebird says, seat map for 7th Nov is greyed out so no tickets can be purchased. Coupled with the mysterious email it must mean more than just a cinema broadcast, but what? I'm hopefully seeing Magri/Coralles in their earlier performance which is also down as being filmed for back up presumably, but does this mysterious behaviour mean a cast change? Special guests? I do hope not as I was looking forward to seeing them at the cinema with friends as well as at the ROH.
  22. Monday 7th Aug SkyArts 6.15am-8am Royal Ballet in Cuba Thursday 10th Aug SkyArts 1.15-3am Balanchines Nutcracker NYCB (obviously only insomniacs watch the Arts) Finally, and this is very strange. I thought it was a misprint; Carlos Acosta on the Parliament Channel! Tuesday 8th August 3.30-4am, part of a series entitles This Cultural Life. Mini doc on Carlos repeated at the more user friendly time of 4.30pm Sat 5th and also 12th Aug. Also 10.30am Sunday 6th Aug. Very appropriate, given his birthday celebrations.
  23. If it was me I'd definitely go for SC - if there are any left! Or even adjust which performance I attended to get the best SC seat. I'm sure a child would appreciate being so close to the action. I certainly do! Good luck
  24. Hi Tiptoesmama. Hope you and your daughter have a great time. I would never advise anyone taking small children to sit in the stalls unless they're on the end of a row or on the front row and then they may be too close with the height of the stage to see properly. Probably the only stalls seats would be the side blocks on row H as they have an exit in front of them, therefore a gap rather than people. But there are only a few of these and they tend to sell out quickly. I would try and go for the front row of the stalls circle. You are raised above the stalls and should have no one directly in front of you so sightlines shouldn't be an issue. However, I haven't sat in them myself (I usually sit in the third row as it's cheaper). It also depends how much you want to pay. There are several prices for the front row Nutcracker; £160, £153 and £145. Unfortunately, no child discounts. The more expensive ones are more central and you get a more comprehensive view of the stage. However, because of the horseshoe shaped size of the auditorium the more central you are the further away you are from the stage. The cheaper seats are nearer but you may miss a little bit of the side of the stage. It's always a balance between being close to the action and seeing all of the stage. The £153 seats should be fine on both counts if you want to be a bit nearer, but others may be able to be more informative as it's a while since I've seen the Nutcracker at the ROH. Usually see it at the cinema. Do you have a particular date in mind? It's just I've had a quick look at a couple of the matinees and because they're so close to Christmas a lot of the front row stalls circle and grand tier have sold out already. If you're waiting for public booking I'd get in quick and try and be flexible with your dates. Even second row of the SC should be OK and you can always borrow one of the ROH cushions or take your own. I've been on the backstage tour a couple of times and enjoyed it but the last time was a few years ago. Both times I went in the morning and had a brief glimpse of company class though I don't know if you went in the afternoon you might see rehearsals. It is only a few minutes but interesting. Your daughter might be interested in attending one of the onstage classes open to the public (check dates with website or box office) or the Nutcracker Insight Tues 21st Dec at 7.30. Or one of the Thurrock Tours of sets and costumes. This is just outside London and I don't think winter dates have been announced yet but again, check the box office or email customer services.
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