jmhopton

My usual online TV schedule hasn't been working for a couple of weeks so I've had to rely on the Radio Times which only goes up to a week ahead. After a very quick look for next week (may not be definitive) I can only see SkyArts Tues 4th Jul 6-8am RB Rhapsody and Two Pigeons

Having Premium 1 and 2 Friends and Supporting Friends booking priorities all on the same day, just separated by an hour or two sounds like a recipe for disaster. Hope the technology has been really sorted by then. You think they could have spread it out a bit between then and the 11th when ordinary Friends starts. There should be at least an offer of a free programme for inconvenience caused, like they did a year or so ago.

Thanks Benjamin. Got my dates mixed. It was a long time ago! I remember it was at the beginning of Ross Strettons Directorship as I thought at the time it was the best thing about his Directorship! Also, he did something I don't think any RB Director at least has done since, and that is having one dancer (Alina Cojacaru) cast as both Tatiana and Olga on the same run. She was compellingly excellent in both roles. Such a shame she wasn't filmed in either role.

I too wish we could see more Cranko ballets here in the UK. I remember being blown away when I saw Onegin for the first time, when the RB first staged it, possibly in the late 90s. I think it was in Ross Strettons first season so presumably Anthony Dowell must have done all the commissioning and organised the ballet training. It is still my favourite ballet of all times (and the 'mirror ' pas de deux my favourite pas de deux of all times). Though I have seen many casts since those early casts, especially Tamara Rojo and Adam Cooper as Tatiana and Onegin, and Alina Cojacaru and Ivan Putrov as Olga and Lensky will always remain with me. Its always been a huge disappointment that Reid Anderson would never allow any of the RB casts to be filmed and preserved for posterity as they deserve to be. Perhaps if Vadim and Osipova reprieve the main roles they should have danced several years ago he may relent but I'm trying not to get too hopeful. The only time I've seen Stuttgart Ballet live was about 10 years ago when they came to Sadlers Wells and did Taming of the Shrew, and my husband and myself saw 2 performances and thoroughly enjoyed them. I thought the recent film with Jason Reilly really terrific. Brought back memories of seeing him in Onegin at the ROH quite a few years ago. Saw RBME for the first time as a stream during the pandemic and loved it. One of the few positive things to come out of the pandemic is the many streams different ballet companies made available to give their dancers an opportunity of performing, but also reach out to audiences starved of ballet and who may never have seen their particular ballet company. Several years ago had the pleasure of seeing Pineapple Poll performed by Birmingham ballet and really enjoyed it though perhaps not quite as much as the dramatic ballets. However, it's a pity its not performed more and seems to have vanished from the RB rep altogether. Its a shame great ballets, choreographed by an ex RB dancer get ignored when so many new ballets (many of whom I suspect don't have either the quality or longevity of Cranko), get promoted. Like Sim, I'm keeping everything crossed for a return of Onegin in the 2024/5 season.

Sounds a great idea, Emeralds and thanks for making it touring so us outliers can get to see it. While it sounds a great ballet (love the casting!) I can't say I'm enthusiastic about Wheeldon as I'm not a fan of any of his ballets. This one sounds great fun and I would certainly go, but I think I'm going to be reckless here and suggest a second ballet (money no object!) and that is David Bintley's new full length ballet for Sarasota Ballet, Comedy of Errors. This is part of a review. The world’s newest story ballet is a fun, funny, foible-filled and fantastic romp that erases all thoughts of war and despots, plague and politics, and replaces them with a sumptuous feast for the senses and sunny solace for the soul. If you weren’t there, I promise you are sorry. Sounds good to me and hopefully there'll be a suitable part for Laura as I don't really know the plot. One reason I was so pleased Sarasota were coming was I hoped they'd return and bring this ballet though it may be too expensive to tour the sets and costumes. I'd also love to see Laura star in Cranko's or Maillot's Taming of the Shrew.

Shows how little ballet there's been on TV lately as this thread had almost vanished from the first page! SkyArts RB Giselle (again!) 6am Friday June 23rd. Usual stock photo of Acosta/Osipova which usually means it's Nunez/Muntagirov, but who knows. SkyArts NYCB Balanchine's Nutcracker Tues 27th June 6.10-8am, filmed in 2011. For an Arts channel they never seem to schedule their most artistic content at a time people actually want to watch it.

Really enjoyed Vadim's talk at the Royal Ballet School, hosted by the London Ballet Circle last night. There was a large and appreciative audience, many of them buying his book to be signed. Lovely seeing several friends including Balletfanp. He was expertly guided through his story by Deborah Weiss, being sent to a very strict Ballet boarding school at Petm aged 10, then coming to the RB upper school (recommended by Sergei Polunin) after his Lausanne scholarship silver medal and not knowing a word of English. The difference in physical training, but also learning about different aspects of dance and fitness, such as contemporary dance, improvisation and pilates which were new to him. It was a fascinating talk and over far too quickly. There was certainly scope for a further talk, perhaps focusing on later in his career, his partnerships, special roles and international guesting. I've dipped into the book and it looks a fascinating read. He doesn't hold back or shy away from when things were difficult. He concluded by making a heartfelt speech thanking his audience who support him on the stage and elsewhere and who have made him so welcome in England 'my second home'. He says they make all the hard work, worthwhile. A lovely ending to a great evening.

Either the Gala or the mixed bill would have temped me to the ROH this summer. Sadly not even Laura Morera's final performance could tempt me to the ROH this summer. I've thought for a while it would be a good idea for the RB to do an annual gala as a fund raiser if they could manage it. One being given on tour and already prepared and rehearsed would have been ideal. If only it could be filmed.

Yes, really enjoyed this and made me appreciate Nunez even more. I especially liked the bit she did on momentum, highlighting the second Marianela finishes her fouettees, Vadim immediately starts his. This keeps the momentum going unlike some other versions, (Russian companies are terrible for this) where there is a pause, sometimes for several minutes while the ballerina milks the applause. Then by the time the male dancer starts his fouettes all the momentum has gone.

Never mind Wayne Mcgregor. STILL no sign of the Ashton triple!

Me too, Capybara. I couldn't believe it when I saw he was only an Artist. He is one of the best Espadas I've ever seen and I was going to start looking out for him, only for him to leave and move to Hong Kong ballet!

Yes Vasipova was one of my great all time balletgoing experiences, possibly only exceeded by Vadim's Mayerling. They were incredible together, all the more so as at that time (early 21st century) we hadn't had a lot of the virtuoso male dancing we now take for granted, with the possible exception of Acosta and Mukhamedov. Also the two of them had such fizz and charisma together. This is why I'm surprised the RB haven't filmed Osipova in Don Q as her name is synonymous with Kitri. Her performing it with Sambe would seem to be an ideal opportunity as they should be terrific. I'd rather hoped she would perform it with Coralles as they were so tremendous together in Laurencia. However, I do think he'll be wonderful with Magri, and really pleased they're both doing their main role cinema debuts together. Is it Naghdi/Ball debuts ogether as well? I thought Yasmine did it with Sambe last time and wasn't totally convinced by it because of the height difference. Will be great to see Naghdi/Ball together. Also pleased Luca Acri is getting a principal role at last. He was never really on my radar until Cinderella, but I loved his stepsister and saw him at the stage door looking really pleased with his flowers so will be good to see him in a major role. Hope there will be some standing tickets left by the time Friends booking opens. Do they hold any back for ordinary Friends or public booking or don't they bother now?

Am pleased there are several Saturday double performances of Don Q which is great for seeing a variety of casts while also cutting back on the travel and accommodation expenses. Still looks to be an expensive autumn, and spring won't be any better with Manon and Swan Lake. Don't know when I'm going to start saving for the Ashton next summer!

Me too MJW. That's exactly what I thought when I saw the Nutcracker casting.

Well, finally got to see Sleeping beauty at the cinema this afternoon after Tuesdays cancelled performance at the Preston Odeon. Even this performance wasn't free of technical problems as the picture ratio wasn't correct and Darcey and Petroc's heads were missing! So, another trip to the Technical Dept who fortunately managed to sort it before the performance started. The music was still too loud but I mentioned it twice and then gave up. Still, the performance was definitely worth putting up with the technical problems. Yasmine and Matthew were terrific as always, and Sissens and Gasparini's Bluebirds were incredible. I hope Isabella is promoted. She certainly deserves it, as does Annette Buvoli who was very eye-catching both as a fairy and one of Florestan's sisters. Incidentally, who ARE Florestan and his sisters? I Googled them and was still none the wiser. They don't appear to be fairytale characters so why invent them when there are perfectly good characters in the lineup such as Cinderella and her Prince and Beauty and the Beast who have nothing to do? Anyway, I looked out for David Donnelly as the Wolf and thought him terrific. Loved the strutting walk with which he makes his entrance. Haven't seen anyone else do that. Would have liked to have seen more by him, preferably without a mask so I know what he looks like. Thought Kristen terrific as always. Definitely my favourite Carabosse. Just wished they would get the stage fixed so she can vanish properly. Shame this season had the 2 main ballets that needed the stage to move; Mayerling and SB. Hopefully it will be fixed in the summer break. Finally, got home to this Unseen Matt cartoon which I thought very appropriate. Perhaps a mod could replace it with a link, if possible, if it's not right to show it but whenever I try and share Telegraph links they never work. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/newsletters/Matt/2023/May/MattunseenMay28.jpg Hi Joan. I have removed the image and replaced it with the link. When you paste something, click the 'display as a link' option instead of the 'leave embedded' option. I have also corrected a couple of names whilst I was in there! Sim x

Disappointing we're getting 2 Macmillan programmes at the cinema and possibly a 3rd showing of Winter's Tale, but none of the Ashton, especially as it would be a great way to launch the 5 year celebrations. Hopefully some of them will be streamed but given we haven't had last years triple yet it doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Someone in the cinema said they checked on Twitter and Preston isn't the only place it wasn't working. At least for once I was on my own and not with friends. Also, I have booked Sundays encore with a couple of friends so hopefully see it then. I'm sure it will be worth the wait!

Perhaps other cinemas had the same problem as the Preston Odeon which had to cancel tonight's Sleeping beauty live relay as they couldn't access the satellite, despite it working perfectly early in the day.

Can't find the 22/23 cinema thread but had my cinema ticket price refunded from Preston Odeon tonight as they couldn't get the satellite to work, despite it working earlier today. Fortunately, I'd already booked for Sunday's performance.

Agree with most of your selection Capybara, especially Annette Buvoli and Daichi Ikarashi (whom I've pencilled in as a principal sometime in the future. Wouldn't be surprised if Annette doesn't make principal eventually as well). Marco Masciari seems to be getting good roles for such a junior member of the Company. Definitely someone to watch, as are Leticia Dias and Isabella Gasparini. I think I'd also add Marianne Tsembenhoi who always catches my eye for the beauty of her dancing.

Just had an email from Sarasota Ballet about their Dance for All Day of Giving initiative which is today. if anyone is interested in accessing their website (didn't know if it was appropriate to post it and anyway my link is to my email account) They're running videos and asking for donations for six different areas of which the final one is Lectures, Tickets and Tours. Given that how many on the Forum are thrilled they are coming I thought some might be interested in donating, especially as they're having to raise a large sum just to come at all. You can specify which area/s you want your donation to go to. Someone has agreed to match fund any donations. I've already sent a small donation. I'd have liked it to be more but you know how things are at the moment... Hope nobody has already mentioned this but have been out of circulation with a tummy bug and haven't been able to check. Just coming round today !

I emailed Kevin to congratulate him on the Ashton programme and Sarasota visit, and to ask if there was any chance of one each of the Sarasota programmes and, more importantly, the gala being performed on the main stage, but was told it was logistically too complicated so we'll just have to hope there are enough seats for everyone.

If it's being filmed for streaming I just hope we don't have to wait as long as we have for the Ashton triple bil.

I emailed the Friends to see if autumn casting would be announced in the Friends magazine due out in the next 2 weeks. I was told it wouldn't be announced then but would be in the Friends newsletter when it has been confirmed. I think I've said this before, but it only seems a few years ago since autumn casting was announced with the new season announcement. I also asked about the Ashton stream (again!!!) and was just told to watch the new streaming information.

Well that's my birthday present to me sorted!!! Having seen the Instagram footage of him rehearsing/performing (?) Don Q in Trieste with Fumi he is definitely worth a cinema broadcast!! Haven't seen virtuosity like that since Vasiliev, and Vadim has the beautiful classical style as well as virtuosity which Vasiliev didn't always have. Would love to see him perform it with Fumi. Fingers crossed!!!