chrischris

If you are referring to my original comment, facial expressions are not (usually) aspects of someone's physique which they cannot change. You can change them and they impact on characterisation, and criticism of this is valid. Physical characteristics are trickier, as others have mentioned, because it can get hurtful. but ballet is a visual art and sometimes someone's particular physicality doesn't suit a role.

Kish also out. Not sure who he has been replaced with.

Golding replaces Pennefather for DGV on the 17th and 24th May. Shame, that's his season over. Edit: Did Pennefather dance in the rehearsal yesterday?

Was there ever a time when you could smoke in theatres?

Well I certainly didn't mean to be offensive, and reading it back I cannot understand how anyone could find that comment offensive, but each to their own. I thought Golding was good in Serenade, but my enjoyment of him (in fact my observation of his dancing) was distracted by his facial expression, which I don't really know how to define. I think that is a perfectly valid observation to make. Conversely, I didn't notice Osipova's facial expressions at all, though if they impede other people in the audience from enjoying a performance then they should be perfectly entitled to say so. I sometimes feel fans of dancers probably have thinner skins than the dancers themselves. I'm glad it wasn't just me who struggled with Sweet Violets. I love the overall tone of it, and maybe it will be clearer on repeat viewing. Would loved to have seen Benjamin in DGV,and Bussell too.

Amazing photos Dave. I'll never understand how you lot can take such great photos and for them not to turn out blurry. it's a gift.

Went tonight. I've tried, I really have, but I just can't seem to warm to any Balanchine. Serenade was beautifully danced by the soloists, especially Nunez, the corps seemed a bit scrappy, but were good, but I just found it really dull. Was really distracted by Golding's weird grin/ pout/ teeth thing as well. I loved Sweet Violets last time around and enjoyed it this time but not as much as I though I would. It still lacks a clear narrative (to me, at least) and I felt it dragged a bit. DGV was stunning. My God Yanowsky is amazing. I know there has been talk on here of her retiring, but I hope that is years off. She was stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I realized tonight I need to book for her casts more often. All the other soloists were great, though I would say the women overshadowed the men, and the corps looked like they were enjoying themselves. I'm looking forward to seeing this next weekend with the less experienced cast, and i'm intrigued to see how they do. All in all, an interesting but patchy bill.

I believe they are doing R&J in Taiwan. I haven't heard anything about Russia.

DGV had been updated, and has been updated again, as per bluebird's post. Wonder whether this means changes to the R&J casts for the tour.

Just noticed that since the original posting of this news, casting for DGV has changed. Kish, Pennefather and Mendizabal have been replaced for some, but not all, of their performances. Seems a bit odd, but with all the injuries, they must have to re-jig casts. http://www.roh.org.uk/news/cast-changes-serenade-sweet-violets-dgv-mixed-programme

Does anyone know, generally, how many full dress rehearsals each cast has before they perform for an audience? For something like Romeo and Juliet, for example, where you have loads of different casts, I guess each cast has rehearsal time on the stage and then does a proper uninterrupted run through as well. Obviously a triple bill will be a little easier than a full length, but it must be a nightmare to coordinate, with the opera also needing stage time.

I haven't seen Gartside's interpretation but Watson did make me and a few other people in the auditorium laugh, but that was more the choreography than him.

I always think it's good when you hear of dancers taking sabbaticals or pursuing projects outside of ballet. So many athletes struggle when their careers come to an end, having something outside can only be a positive thing.

Thanks. Didn't notice that. Also just noticed Pennefather is still listed for DGV,so hopefully that is a sign he is back dancing but easing in to it.

Ok, cool. I was just curious whether it was surgery related etc and they would be out for months. Just noticed Cope has also been replaced. That's annoying. Was really looking forward to seeing her in SV.

Disappointed that Kish and Pennefather won't be dancing again this season. Does anybody know the nature of their injuries?

Saw it tonight and loved it. You can really see the Macmillan influences/ ripping off. Many parts reminded me of Mayerling, Manon and R&J.

I would like to see Nunez in Month, as I know it's the one ballet she has said repeatedly she wants to do, but I have a feeling it will be Osipova with Bonelli. I believe he used to dance this with Alina.

Ha ha I love the north. I've spent a lot of time living abroad but I do miss London if i'm away for too long.

But it's so dreary up north

I haven't heard anything about him leaving/ retiring. Hope it isn't true. Dancers like him are a real asset to a company, and he still seems pretty young.

I couldn't disagree more

What also irritates me as that, just when this completely unqualified politician settles in to their job and (you'd hope) develops an understanding of their department and role, they are moved somewhere else in a completely ridiculous and wholly politically motivated cabinet reshuffle. In what other walk of life would that ever happen?

Interesting that a lot of reviewers/ comments specifically mention Watson being a bit OTT.

Good, thank you.