jmhopton

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!!!

This article in Hello caught my eye. Apparently the Princess of Wales and Princes Charlotte were allegedly at Cinderella yesterday evening though some audience footage posted on Instagram at the end of the article suggests it was possibly Takada's matinee judging by the curtain call. It was so fleeting it was difficult to see but it didn't look like Laura. The Instagram footage continues with several excited small children actually on the ROH stage, playing with the fairies illuminated wands. Apparently Princess Charlotte is very keen on ballet. A future supporter, perhaps? Mods, please remove the link if it is not applicable. https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/491485/princess-charlotte-birthday-treat-ballet-royal-opera-house/

I have mentioned filming the Japanese Laura/Vadim Month in the Country to Kevin as the London performances were so incredible. I was thinking of a Japanese company filming it as Fumi is part of the mixed bill and Vadim is very popular there. Clutching at straws I know but you can only ask. Also, why are Japan getting a Royal Celebration Concert and we're not?!

Thanks very much for this, Benjamin. Several two show Saturdays and one with a Fri as well. Very good for those us who have to travel.

Wonderful, Dawnstar, that's the way to do it! I buttonholed him myself, possibly on the same day, to ask him about last year's Ashton stream and was told it was in hand and hopefully not too long before it's on the streaming platform. Re the summer triple, isn't the dilemma more whether to go just because it's Morera's final performance at the ROH? The triple bill is what I call modern, with Macmillan, especially the one act Anastasia, rather walking a tightrope between classical and modern. It's certainly not a ballet that appeals to me enough to spend a large sum on transport and accommodation, not to mention ticket, even with it being Morera's final ROH performance. For me, her final performance will be as Cinderella next weekend and I'm sure I'll really enjoy it. Something I can't say for Anastasia. (Though I'm still clinging to the hope that somehow her Month in the Country in Japan will be filmed. That's my idea of a suitable send off for her.)

I rather like the 'it's a whim' gesture. I just find it quite amusing. What I don't like, and all the Albrecht's I've seen recently seem to do it, is that he possibly tries to make up for his affair with Giselle by being very attentive to Bathilde and ignoring Giselle (guilty conscience?) I keep hoping just one Albrecht will be a bit distant to Bathilde because he's just met someone he loves as opposed to an 'arranged' or dutiful marriage (it that's what it is) but none of them do. Perhaps it's something Peter Wright insists on, I don't know, but it always grates on me, and makes Albrecht's 2nd act declaration of love for Giselle that bit harder to understand. I know the transformation in his attitude really comes about because of Giselle's madness and death but it would have been nice to see even slight evidence of it before. I like the idea of the peasant pas de deux as an engaged couple but difficult to do in the RB version unless all three couples are getting engaged, which I suppose is possible.

No I didn't mind it either, Dawnstar. Never going to be a favourite but I didn't dislike it and thought there was some good choreography in it, especially between Frankenstein and his fiancee. Some good pas de deux there. I've seen far worse ballets on the ROH stage, though admittedly most were part of triple bills that I knew I wasn't going to enjoy but endured them because of something I wanted to see. At least Kevin's current trend of grouping modern ballets separately to traditional ones means I don't often have that particular dilemma very often these days.

Ah, yes, thanks oncnp. The obvious places are usually the right ones! I was so obsessed about the season announcement I thought performance dates must be there somewhere and I'd missed it. I never thought of the calendar! Hours of fun trawling through there then, though of course not a huge amount of use without casting. Still, it will give me some idea to work on and plan round. if only we had the old calendar back, with every performance laid out in date order, with it's own link. It was so basic and useful of course the the ROH tech people had to remove it. Now, if you don't know the date of a performance you're looking for you have to wade through pages of irrelevancies, but don't get me started on that again!

Am just catching up with the long ROH press release. In the Cinema and stream section they unfortunately don't give out a complete list of cinema broadcasts but just say it is the largest season ever, with 13 broadcasts. Ballet wise they just mention Swan lake and Nutcracker which were obvious anyway. I'm keeping everything crossed that at least one Ashton performance is filmed for cinema and hopefully the other streamed. The gala would be good for cinema and hopefully get some publicity for Sarasota as well as Ashton. Re streaming, it does say 24 more new productions will be added to the streaming offer. This is continuing the current 2 operas and ballets a month they currently do. I'm assuming that 'new' means new to streaming not necessarily new performances though it does specifically mention the new Cinderella will be a streaming offer at some point in the year though of course it has already been a cinema broadcast. Apparently the streaming will include works by Wayne Macgregor and Joseph Toonga (no comment!) Looking forward to the 'commemorative displays of beautiful historical costumes including a celebration of the centenary of Nicholas Georgiadis who designed sumptuous costumes for Kenneth MacMillan ballets including Manon and Mayerling'. Where is there an actual breakdown of days/dates of performances? People have commented on the few matinees, especially lack of Saturday Nutcracker matinees so it must be out there somewhere and I've just missed it. Matinees and linked performance days are so important when you're travelling long distances.

6 hours ago, FionaE said: I’d be delighted to Rhapsody again … but with new casts only. (Passage cut from quote from Paul Arrowsmith.) Daichi Ikarashi's insouciant performance almost convinced me otherwise. Next stop for him – please – would be the lead role in Ashton's Rhapsody, so that ballet may regain its nonchalant wit, long missing.” Yes please!!! Edited 6 hours ago by capybara Include me for Daichi in Rhapsody too! Perhaps even matador in Don Q? Especially as this will be after RB promotions and I'm sure he will be promoted. In fact, I can see him as a principal in the not too dim and distant future.

Not just ASLEF strikes, us northerners have to contend with 'essential' rail maintenance as well. I'm coming to see Morera's final Cinderella this Saturday and as it's a Bank Holiday there are no trains out of Euston on Sunday. So I'm having to get back to Preston via Kings Cross and Leeds. At least it will be different scenery!

I'm with Sim in that choreographers should be selected on merit and nothing to do with their gender. Also, I've said before that with the RB huge back catalogue and many recent creations it's time to take a breather for a while and celebrate what we've already got. Also, if the RB isn't spending thousands of pounds on new creations perhaps they can keep the seat prices down a bit or at least stop them rocketting even more (OK I tend to slip into a fantasy world every now and then!) Hate to think what even the restricted SC seats I usually try and get will cost for Swan lake. I think Kevin has commissioned many new works, seemingly far more than any other AD I can remember, and I personally am thrilled he's asked Sarasota Ballet to come next season. To me, that's worth far more than any new creation because it shows at last that an AD is promoting our greatest choreographer who to me is worth more than all the RB big name new choreographers put together.

Me too Lizbie! Am beyond excited that Sarasota Ballet are actually coming and bringing such a great Ashton programme with them. A lot of what they're doing featured in their lockdown livestream recordings and are terrific. Especially pleased with Facade as I can't remember the last time it was staged here and I don't know if I've ever seen Les Rendezvous at a theatre. Was disappointed that ENB didn't stream their student performance last year which featured it. I love Walk in a Paradise Garden as well. When I emailed Iain Webb asking if they could come he said they would need to be invited, so thank you Kevin O'Hare for inviting Sarasota and having such a great start to 5 years of Ashton celebrations. As the song goes 'Who could ask for anything more'??!! Of course am disappointed about Fille, but hopefully a prolonged Ashton celebration means that Fille will be programmed next year. Would be good for other UK Companies to get involved too like they did with the Macmillan celebrations a few years ago. Dare we hope for a repeat visit by Sarasota? Would be great to see them more often and possibly bring Kobborg's Sylphide as well so we'll be able to see the wonderful Danish sets and costumes. Also the full length David Bintley, Comedy of Errors would be wonderful to see as well as more Ashton of course. Like others I am slightly disappointed Rhapsody is programmed again so soon but understand it is part of the Rachmaninov celebrations as well as Ashton. And it is a fabulous ballet. Am keeping everything crossed for Vadim as Oberon as I don't know if he's danced it before. He was in Symphonic variations (I think) when it was programmed last. Also it would be great if one of the Ashton programmes were filmed for cinema and the other ones/s streamed both for all us devoted Astonians and to raise awareness of Ashton as a genius choreographer and the UKs founder choreographer (as well as the RBs). Like others, I'm hugely disappointed with no Onegin (hopefully next year) and no Jerome Robbins (would love to see Dances at a Gathering again) and others I've not seen. Look forward to seeing Don Q (though prefer BRBs production). Am not really interested in Winter's Tale or Dante (returning too soon ), though might see one performance of Dante just to see if I missed anything by not liking the recording. Am pleased to see Manon with some new principals. Would have liked to see something at Christmas to offset the inevitable Nutcracker. Seems a shame to just have the one programme. They used to programme a triple at the same time which would have been good but obviously don't want to distract the paying public by having alternatives to what is probably a hugely expensive Christmas ballet evening. Anyway, on the whole am happier than I thought I would be this time yesterday. Roll on next summer. Can't come soon enough!! Must start saving now as I intend to attend every Ashton performance!!

Well, quite a varied list. For male dancer, difficult to choose between Brandon Lawrence and Bracewell (don't really know the others) but I think Brandon just about edges it for me because of his terrific Don Q, whether as Basil or the matador and his wonderful stage presence in anything. Similarly, best female dancer for me is touch and go between Laura Morera (who should have been nominated for outstanding performance for her Natalia Petrovna in Month in the Country) and Francesca Hayward who is incredible in anything she does. I'm very surprised that RB Daichi Ikarashi and Marianne Tsembenhoi weren't mentioned as emerging dancers. Of course, the Outstanding Male Classical Performance has to be Vadim as Prince Rudolf in Mayerling. The most incredible and moving performance I've seen in a classical ballet - ever!

Interesting mix of the new and the traditional. I do love NBs Romeo. It's my favourite staging (Lez Brotherston?) Tiler Peck and Benjamin Ella choreography as well. Two shows for Christmas, both family friendly is a great idea too. Will be very interested to see where they tour too. Fingers crossed for Grand Theatre Blackpool like they used to do. or the Everman, Cheltenham. I think Federico is to be congratulated for a varied and interesting sounding programme. Let's hope Kevin O'Hare can do the same.

Lovely posting OnePigeon and sums up my feelings exactly. Yes, David Bintley would have been great person to stage this ballet and what a pity he didn't. However, thinking of it, now Bonelli is in charge of Northern Ballet there may be hope he might consider it as I can't see either Carlos or the new ENB AD being interested. Sadly, don't think it's Kevin's sort of ballet either though I'd love to be proved wrong. What is it with modern ADs that they don't seem to like fun ballets (apart from Don Q) with beautiful sets and costumes and tuneful music. Perhaps not 'relevant' enough for the Arts Council? They did say they prioritised relevance over excellence which I think is truly shocking.

Sadly, can't see any of them staging it Emeralds, much as I'd like one of them to do so. I thought ages ago (before Tamara) that ENB were rumoured to be thinking of staging it but when I later asked Tamara about this she said it was too old fashioned, and unfortunately, that sums up the attitude of many ADs today. They can commision way out ballets such as Like Water for Chocolate and The Creature, but give them an established ballet with traditional music and most of them shudder and refuse (or at least that's what it seems like). Although it's a twentieth century ballet the music is nineteenth century and that and the traditional costumes seem to put off modern ADs which is an awful shame as I'm sure if any ADs were looking for a new crowd pleaser this would be it. I could see any of the 3 English Companies being able to field casts galore, no problem, (don't know enough about Scottish ballet) but sadly the trend seems to be for modern ballets or classics. Just hope the RB have some good acting or 'heritage' (ASHTON!) ballets in their new programme and don't just rely on endless swan lakes and Nutcrackers with possibly Don Q (another 19th century ballet) as well.

I've been fantasising for years about a company bringing Merry Widow over here but I don't know if it will happen as Sadlers Wells is the obvious venue and they do mainly modern ballet. Having said that, Stuttgart came about 10 years ago and did Taming of the Shrew. Merry Widow is the one favourite ballet I've never seen live and I would love to see it. Have several recordings; Canadian and 2 Australian ones, but my favourite is the Argentinian one with Marianela. She is so wonderful in the title role.

Yes both BRB and the old and the new RB productions could do with at least 2 full circuits of the stage. You can't take it all in with just one circuit and with all the work that goes into it, it's definitely worth seeing it for a bit longer. Prolongs the magic too.

I too was at that first performance with Ivan Vasiliev at the Coliseum and I've never seen anticipation or a performance like it. Audible gasps going round the auditorium and the shouting and cheering at the end like I've never heard before or since. One man nearly fell out of his box as he was jumping up and down screaming. Possibly the nearest thing to early Nureyev performances. Together they were dynamite and even today she is my number one Kitri and I'll be keeping everything crossed for Coralles as he's possibly the nearest the RB have to Vasiliev and to creating that amazing partnership magic.

Yes, me too, Scheherezade. The BRB vision scene is an especial favourite with those beautiful fronds creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Far superior to the RB hideous, garish tropical flowers

Sun 30th April BBC4 8pm Dance Passion Liverpool: Find the Feeling. A day in the life of the city through a series of dances, as soloists, choreographers and troupes - both amateur and professional - use pavements and landmarks as their stage, performing everything from high-energy Afrodance and beautiful ballet to energetic hopak and vibrant vogueing Tues 2nd May SkyArts 6am Australian Ballet Merry Widow. Doesn't say which recording this is but I suspect it may the be the latest that was at the cinema 2 or 3 years ago. Whichever version, it's worth watching.

Not wanting to seem cynical but if it outsells the above it is probably on the strength of Carlos Acosta's name as he is someone many non regular ballet goers have heard of and usually like. Having said that I do enjoy Don Q (though I don't like the moveable sets which always look dangerous) and will probably book several casts. Wasn't Coralles due to dance it last time then he was injured and didn't? Would love to see him dance it, especially if he was partnering Osipova like they did in the Nureyev gala Laurentia. That was stunning and I'm sure Don Q will be even more so.

Not especially to do with the ROH next season but I didn't know where else to put it and it didn't seem worth starting a new thread. I've been thinking for a while of trying to renew my ROH Friends subscription with the gift certificates I've accumulated from performances cancelled or changed. However, I thought I would have to phone and I didn't know whether to contact Friends or box office so kept putting it off. Anyway, today I signed in and went to renew membership and there was the opportunity to do it online, just follow the prompts and decide which certificates you wanted to use. Any that were only partially used you had the remainder credited to your account as if you were using them to buy tickets. It was very easy and straightforward and saved me using my bank account, so I thought sharing this info. might help those who were also considering doing this.

Not on tour as such but I couldn't find a closer Matthew Bourne match. Apparently this Sleeping Beauty is being shown at the cinema Wed 28th June and Sunday July 2nd as part of the ballets 10th anniversary celebrations.