jmhopton

For me it is probably a combination of ballet ,star and company. When I became very keen on ballet in 1990 after seeing the Kirov in Manchester and then Birminghmam I wanted to see them as much as possible. Then I became keen on Igor Zelensky and saw as many of his performances as I could (given we live in Lancashire!) both with the Kirov and guesting with the Royal ballet. We even started doing house exchanges in 1999 for 2 weeks in the summer so we could see whatever visiting Russian Company was in London and holiday with our dog who was too old to go in kennels! (We are doing the same this summer for part of the Bolshoi). Later I became more interested in individual ballets but because we can't see London companies too often I tend to select the casting for these ballets. So this Jan/Feb. I saw Alina and Marianella twice each in Onegin which is one of my favourite ballets. Both versions were sensational. I love seeing Osipova and Vasiliev and saw their Don Q twice this Easter and also her Giselle which I thought amazing and can't wait to see her in the Peter Wright version. Also booked to see Steven in the Royal's Don Q as I'm curious about the ballet and always enjoy seeing him (hoping for Osipova as a partner??) and also booked to see Osipova and Carlos in Romeo. This is a ballet I wouldn't normally book for so the choice of casting definately influenced my decision. By first day of public booking both performances were virtually sold out so I do think casting can have an effect on box office. it is interesting that Osipova and Vasiliev performances do sell quicker; their Flames of Paris possibly sold out during the Hochhauser advance week or very early in public booking. It is interesting that their performances sell out because unlike Carlos or Darcey I didn't think they were well known apart from ballet enthusiasts. Whether this is a good thing in that it may make other casts feel undervalued and people reluctant to book for other pefrormaces I don't know. if I lived in London I would go to a lot more performances and see a greater range of casting. I would love to be like the earlier fellow poster and follow a dancer through from Corps to principal but living at such a distance it isn't really possible. Joan

Has anyone seen the Bolshoi Onegin yet? it premiered last Friday or Saturday. According to their website they seem to have several strong casts, finishing with David Hallberg on the 21st. I wish they were dancing it here. Joan

I see the Odeon have now removed the Bolshoi Don Q from their schedules. Perhaps they were just getting it confused with the Royal Ballet production rather than scheduling both on the same day. Also Covent garden is still the only cinema currently scheduling the Macrae/Marquez repeat showing of La Fille. Surely Covent garden have enough ballet at the theatre without also showing the only repeat performance of la Fille? I would love to see this performance again in Blackpool or Preston.

Couldn't get online before 11.30 (work got in the way!) but didn't do too badly. Got one of my favourite row k amphi seats for Steven's Don Q on 5th October but his other Don Q was sold out in the amphi so had to settle for a slips. Got rather a shock when I tried for the Osipova Romeo on 7th Dec to be offered only 2 tickets in the amphi both standing at the back. Switched to the Nov 21st date and got a heady choice of 6 seats! Amazingly one was on the front row of the amphi; a few seats in but not too bad so I grabbed it though it is more than I usually pay. After that I tried the 7th Dec again only to find 2 rear amphi seats had become made available; perhaps someone had discarded them from their basket, so I got one of them. The whole experience was quick and painless with paying very quick as they already had my card details. My only quibbles are that it seemed to take quite a while to navigate from one performance to another (on this day especally you are very conscious of time ticking away), also I find the seating confusing with the booked seats being removed instead of just changing colour. When only a handful of seats are available it is impossible to 'place' where the available seats are and i always have to have the seating plan up and be going backwards and forwards between it and the seats available which takes time. Otherwise it was a reasonable experience. Joan

I see the Odeon Culture Plus is now showing details of possibly all the Royal Ballet cinema broadcasts though there seemed to be 2 entries each for Giselle and Sleeping Beauty. There is also a 3rd screening of the Bolshoi (Osipova/Vasiliev) Don Q scheduled for (would you believe!) 16th October the same date as the Royal Ballet's Live broadcast of Don Q. How's that for great scheduling!! I have emailed the Odeon pointing this out and asking for the recording to be moved. it's only scheduled for Muswell Hill at the moment and I don't think booking has opened. Do the Odeon never look at their own scheduling??? Joan

Also, the Odeon is showing a repeat screening of the Steven/Roberta La Fille on Monday August 5th. Unfortunately at the moment it is only at the Covent Garden cinema but I hope more will follow. I notice in the ROH financial statement it said it was the 5th highest grossing box office of the day so this probably merits getting it another screening though for me it would be the fabulous performance of everyone concerned especially Steven and Roberta.

I found it slightly odd when the spokesperson at the end of the article cited 'not touring' as a source of income loss. Previously the ROH position has always been that touring lost money and this is why it could not afford to tour the UK as other ballet/opera companies do. They'll have to make their minds up!! Joan

I am so shocked by this news. I had expected Johann to wind down his dancing career at least when it comes to full length classics but hoped he would stay in a choreagraphic and/or teaching role. I was really looking forward to seeing Alina start on a new aspect of her career parnered by Steven. I was so looking forward to seeing them in Don Q and Romeo. I remember seeing her light up the stage in the Royal's last rather drab production of Don Q with Angel Corella. They danced so well together. I am so pleased a saw a couple of her performances as Tatiana earlier this year. She gave a wonderful, heartbreaking performance even without Johann. it is terrible to think we may never see her dance the role again and equally terrible it was never captured on film. At least we have a few dvds to remind us of her greatness. I know it's never the same as a live performance but it's better than nothing. Joan

That's great. I'll be in touch nearer the time when we've booked seats. Joan

Lucky Australia having Bright Stream. I wish we were having Bright Stream or Pharoah's Daughter instead of so much Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. Joan

Many thanks to those who took the time and trouble to help me out with booking. After much thought I've booked the end 'pink' seats on the second row of the upper circle. While I'm there I can try out other seats and familiarise myself with the theatre for future visits. Janet I'd love to meet up with you on the Sat. matinee. It will be great to chat with a fellow northern ballet enthusiast. I didn't go with the front row of the stalls as my husband can't be that close to the orchestra. However, could meet up in the interval or afterwards. Are you thinking of seeing Sofia Ballet's Don Q in Manchester? I was debating about it. Or the Bolshoi? I've booked for Saturday Bayaderes and all Flames performances. Contact me if you may be attending. Joan

I want to book for the Taming of the Shrew Saturday matinee and evening but it's a long time sice I went to Sadlers Wells and I can't remember the seating very well. I remember the bar being a nuisance on the front row of the upper circle (I'm only five feet) but could anyone tell me is the second row of the upper circle ok or would it be better going for the third row? Also, what about those few seats to either side of the upper circle? Are they also obscured by the bar as they say? I like the idea of not being too hemmed in. Finally, the last row of the dress circle. It says you may not see all the sets from there but are they good seats? If you're in the amphi like I usually am at the ROH you often miss the top of the sets there too. Are there any better seats in these sorts of price ranges at Sadlers Wells? We don't like too many people in front of us so we often go for either a front row or over an entrance or back row where you can lean forward if necessary without disturbing anyone. Thanks very much. Joan

I was there too. it was a great performance; really wonderful. Seeing all the cast put their heart and soul into the ballet and perform the choreography so amazingly made me believe (perhaps for the first time) the Royal ballet can deliver a spectacular Don Q.

As the Onegin thread has been revived I've often wondered why Ed Watson has never been chosen to dance in the role. His acting/dancing credentials are impeccable and if anyone can conquer Prince Rudolf so spectacularly surely he should be cast for Onegin. I've always wondered if it was hair colouring but now it seems there have been other fair Onegins so why not Ed?

Tamara Rojo is featured in a new South Bank Show on SkyArts 1 at 9.30 pm Thursday May 9th. Presumably it will be repeated as most of these programmes are. it will be great to hear her talk about her new role and (hopefully) the new production of Le Corsaire. Joan

Just seen on the Odeon website what looks like a new recording of the Kirov Swan Lake in 3D! it is filmed to celebrate 275 years since Russian ballet began and stars Ekaterina Kondaurova. Doesn't say who the Prince is. The picture looks a bit like Daniil Korsuntsev but it may not be. It is being broadcast on June 6th but only (at the moment at least) in a small selection of cinemas. They are Cardiff, Dumfermeline, Kingston, Liverpool, Sheffield, Silverlink and Trafford Centre. Often more get added as time goes on. Apparently the production 'will include Hollywood, Russian and other international guest stars - and exclusive glamourous presentations, exclusively for the cinema audience'. The mind boggles!!! Joan

In the Dancematters section of May's Dancing Times Osipova comments on her move to the Royal Ballet that her decision was based on repertoire but also business 'In Britain all promises and conditions are put down on papaer - and not like what happens in Russia where everything is words'. So it may not be just the Mariinsky that is affected in this way. Joan

I don't think we can really say Ivan wouldn't fit in to the Royal Ballet without seeing him. (In the event it is all speculation at the moment as he has not committed himself to the Royal or any UK Company.) Ivan's situation reminds me very much of Irek's when he came here back in 1990. Both made their names in big Bolshoi productions, playing rather macho or character roles. Both left the Bolshoi because they wanted to expand their repertory and perform other more classical roles. Even their stature is rather similar. I'm sure I remember comments about the size of Irek's thighs and rather stocky build that the Bolshoi didn't think suitable for more classical roles. And then look what a brilliant classical dancer he became when he had the chance to prove himself! I think Irek was 30 when he came here and had a long and varied career. Ivan is only about 24 so he has plenty of time to mature and develop as a dancer.

A 'red run' is when the soloists take their bows in front of the curtain when the other dancers have gone. I think Deborah Bull in one of the performances she introduced (Carlos La Fille?) referred to it, presumably refering to the dancers 'running' through the red curtain folds. Joan

Apologies if this has already been spotted and posted elsewhere but just seen on the ROH website that the Ashton mixed bill, including the Polunin/Rojo Marguerite and Armand is being shown at cinemas on Monday 15th July. Other ballets include Voices of Spring, Monotones 1 and II, La Valse and Meditation from Thais. No venue details yet. Slightly disappointed as I hoped it would be shown on tv then I could record it but I suppose it may yet appear on tv or as a dvd. Joan

I too found Osipova amazing. Certainly one of the best interpretations I've seen. Though I loved seeing Vasiliev again I thought the evening belonged to her. She was very touching with her heart problems in act one though I don't think she was as obviously frail as she seemed to be in the Bolshoi. I seemed to remember in her Bolshoi performance Clement Crisp described her as the sickest Giselle he'd ever seen. I will await his comments on last nights performance with great interest. Huge applause and bravos for her second act variations. She literally didn't put a foot wrong and her port de bras were incredible. Completely different to her Swan lake which left me unmoved. Unfortunately I had to leave after Vasilievs solo so didn't get the hear the reception at the end of the performance but I expect it to be incredible. I was in the balcony which was only about three quarters full which surprised me. I thought it would have been a sell-out for this performance. joan

Many thanks for those who emailed me yesterday explaining about the advance booking. I was clicking on the Hochhauser link rather than the performance itself. Couldn't thank people yesterday as I was dashing off to see Osipova in Giselle! Managed to acquire 3 tickets each for Flames for myself and my husband (at vast expense!) and am trying today for Bayadere with no success so far. Blank screen when I clicked on 'select your own tickets'. Perhaps bettter luck later on. Joan

Where do you put the code in? I've clicked on the link and also tried going via ROH and have just gone straight to the Bolshoi page without being asked for a code. Consequently It's just saying Not on sale when I click on individual ballets. It's very frustrating, especaially as I'm on holiday and am dependent on library pcs. Joan

Just seen the Bolshoi Romeo and Juliet advertised on Odeon Culture Plus website. Live broadcast to be shown on 12th May. About a dozen cinemas listed including Blackpool, Manchester, Covent Garden and Taunton for Pat of Somerset! Been on the Bolshoi website but when you click on casting for that date it brings up casting for April 2012!! I seem to remember watching my old Bolshoi at the Bolshoi video with possibly Irek and Bessmertnova with Alexander Vetrov as a very powerful Tybalt and there was very little in the way of scenery or sets. I kept waiting for some to appear! Does anyone know if this 2010 revival has proper sets? Also, is Grigorovich still at the Bolshoi? I know he was taken on again as 'caretaker' to his own ballets when Burlaka started but haven't heard anything of him recently. Joan

Also, as well as the prices, the unimaginitive programming could put people off (It's certainly put me off). The idea of a 3 week tour in which 2 weeks are given over to Swan lake and Sleeping Beauty is I think a big mistake. I'm just going to book for Bayadere and Flames, whereas on recent tours I've been spoilt for choice with the programming. I know they need some big name ballets (especially in the current economic climate) to persuade people to part with big money for tickets but are there really enough Tchaikovsky enthusiasts to fill the ROH for 2 weeks? I won't be among them but I would have gone to see Pharoah's Daughter, Bright Stream, Esmerelda or Don Q. Joan