Zoe

As a student, the ROH has a deal with some cinemas that you can buy 2 tickets for £10. However, a problem that I've faced on more than one occasion is that the staff at the cinema simply do not know about it (even if the cinema has been listed on the participating cinemas list). Has meant that I've spent about half an hour every time waiting for them to figure out how they can put it through their system having to speak to various managers. I did email the ROH telling them that they should make cinemas aware of this deal, but got no response...

I actually went to Manchester Met and lived in Hulme for my first year (2011/12) and can say I never experienced any danger. I lived near to the Asda there so would often walk down on my own and it was perfectly safe. I know they were developing the uni whilst I was there and the new areas were looking great. I wouldn't go out on my own at night, but then again I wouldn't do that in most places! Don't think there's anything to worry about. There's always bad stories that you hear at university, but you'll find that in any city. I absolutely loved Manchester

Saw last night with Laurretta Summerscales (replacing Tamara Rojo) and Matthew Golding. Whole production was wonderful. Laurretta shone, however it did seem like it took some time for the partnering to develop, but it was perfect by the pas de deux in Act 2, which I felt was beautiful. Matthew Golding I thought was very good and played the brooding hero role perfectly, however I think it would be very interesting to see him in a more dramatic role where he can really show off his emotions. Thought Joan Sebastian Zamora was very good as well as Ali, and the whole cast did very good. Parts of the scenery did make an awful noise during changes or when they sat of the bed, it did squeak a bit causing a bit of humour, which may have detracted from the show. There were also a number of people I heard complaining towards the end that the lighting was very bad (but I thought it was fine!). Such a shame that in the circle where I was sitting, it was only about half full. Can't comment on the rest of the theatre as I didn't look, but I can only presume that it was similarly just as empty. One reason for this may be as the main advertising spaces outside The Palace are taken up with posters for Let It Be, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (and I go past the theatre often and never saw big posters). Think this was a huge mistake on whoever handles the marketing side of things! Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Bit of a ridiculous ballet, but completely beautiful dancing.

According to this article (http://www.theguardian.com/money/blog/2014/jan/30/ticket-sellers-fees-up-front?CMP=twt_gu - I don't know how to add a link unfortunately) a the charges that are put on top of ticket prices are being reviewed, and ATG will make the appropriate changes by March. Though I think the only changes are that they show you the full price upfront before you go through the ordeal of finding out that your ticket is actually £10 more expensive or something. Guess this is a start though...

I don't think ballet is a sport clearly on the basis that, as many others said, there are winners and losers. Sure, somebody can have all the technical ability, but to excel at ballet, it is not just about that. When it comes down to it, ballet is purely subjective, meaning that there can never be one winner. In ballet competitions, the judges pick the best in their opinion.

I saw it last night and it was absolutely phenomenal. I went with all the other student ambassadors, and each of us left on such a high and were all blown away. Steven Mcrae definitely made the performance, and he delivered in every way possible. Akane Takada was also wonderful, however i couldn't help think by watching Laura Morera dance that she would've been perfectly suited to the role. As Kitri's friends, I found that Yasmine Naghdi completely stole the limelight from Romany Pajdak (who was also very good, but just not AS good), and the last mention I have to make is to Anna Rose O'Sullivan, who was quite charming and definitely one to watch. As never having seen Don Quixote live before, and knowing that the Royal Ballet has failed so many times in bringing it to the stage, I didn't have very high expectations, but I fell in love with it. Not only is it such a happy ballet, but I found the choreography breathtaking. I really hope that this production lasts a long time!

Seeing this tomorrow night (can't wait for Mcrae!), and I was just wondering if anybody knows what time the performance generally finishes at?

Meunier (sorry for my lack of response!), there isn't so much a "reward" of the work that I will be doing, except having meetings in the ROH where I get to go backstage, which is then followed by either an opera or ballet performance, which I'm perfectly happy with! There are some performances in which the entire amphitheater is opened up to students, where you can buy 2 tickets, but only one student card is necessary, so under these circumstances a senior could go with a student, however I think when only 20 of these tickets being debated become available, then taking a senior wouldn't be possible. You never know what developments might be made in the upcoming years though!

As a student ambassador for the ROH this year, they explained to us that although the student standby scheme (where tickets were released to students when a performance had approx 75+ tickets left) was working, due to the ROH becoming more popular, there were becoming less opportunities for this, and so to make the ROH more "student friendly" these 20 seats would be released. I personally think it's excellent, but I guess because I'm a student, I'm slightly biased...

As a child, I watched every ballet we had on video including Manon and Mayerling. And I mean, I was watching these at extremely young ages. I didn't understand any of the references, just looked like these men were throwing women around. I can understand not taking a child to a live performance (the gun shots made me jump and I'm 20!), but I think sexual scenes go completely over their heads

Just wanted to say that I saw the performance last night, and it was absolutely incredible. Their final pas de deux filled with extra kisses to each other and when they go off behind the screen at the end, they were hugging each other as a proper goodbye to it all. Was a joy to watch how appreciated they were by all the flowers and numerous curtain calls. Rest of the cast was also phenomenal of course, with note to Emma Maguire, Laura Morera and James Hay!

Very sad news to hear, but I wish them well for whatever they do now! SO happy that I have tickets for Mayerling on Wednesday. Even at this short notice, will there be 'proper' goodbye with flower throw etc?

After over a year of simply reading, decided to finally write something on here! When I was growing up, my Mum would record on tape any ballet productions and I would constantly watch them, and try and dance along. My favourite as a child was probably Viviana Durante and Zoltan Solymosi in Sleeping Beauty. Then when I was old enough (probably about 7), I remember being taken to a production of Swan Lake at Sadler's Wells, though the only thing I remember from the performance was that the prologue was performed (unlike my video of the RB from 1982) and a very tall man was sitting in front of me. Since then, seeing a performance has always been a treat, but I try to go to the ROH at least once a season. Can't wait to see Mayerling June 5th!!