Sim

21 minutes ago, Fonty said:

When watching the video, did anyone else feel like shouting at Mr O'Hare, asking why, if he held Campbell in such high regard, he cast him much less frequently than other male principals??

I felt like that sitting in the theatre on Friday night.  I actually felt very annoyed.

2 hours ago, capybara said:

Vadim Muntagirov’s IG story today (10th March) is worth a look. Mutual respect in spades.

They are really going to miss each other.  

I was at the Saturday matinee.  I really didn't like Rotunda.  Bland, boring, uninventive and unoriginal.  I quite liked the Peck piece that Australian Ballet performed here last August, but this just didn't hold my attention at all.  The costumes were hideous and the music dull and repetitive.  I am glad it was first;  had I stayed until the end and was served this I would have been very annoyed.

Duo Concertant was very well danced, as one would expect from this company, but it was as much a live concert as a piece of dance, and it was way too short.  This was almost a cursory nod to their founding choreographer before they could get on with the rest of it, and I felt cheated.  

Much to my surprise, because I couldn't stand the Tanowitz that the RB did last season, I liked Gustave .  When the curtain rose to reveal four tall ladies in long red costumes, I thought 'uh oh, the Hand Maid's Tale.'  But no.  I thought the costumes here were interesting and the choreography quite clever and really well danced.  Not sure about the moving piano, but maybe it signified opposites or the circle of life or something.  Who knows?!  What I WOULD like to know is who (if anyone) Gustave Le Gray is!

Love Letter (on shuffle) - I liked this much more than I was expecting to.  It was nice to see a costume that was actually a costume, that brought some fun and colour to the stage.  The choreography had quite a lot of classical ballet steps in it, but I agree with others that perhaps hip hop and classical ballet don't blend too well.  If I ever, ever, even think of going to a piece of dance using James Blake's music again, please tie me to a chair.  It is whiney, sameish, and here played way too loudly.  A real assault on the ears.  I am sure I would have liked this much more if it had been choreographed to different music.

NYCB was the company that first hooked me into ballet.  When I was a little four year-old girl, my mother took me to see The Nutcracker, which she then did every year.  I loved it, and when I was older started seeing them in many more things.  My parents were at the premiere of Jewels (I was too young at the time).  So, seeing this company again after such a long time should have been an emotional and exhilarating experience for me.  Instead, 'meh' was about the most positive thing I could come up with.  To be back in London after such a long absence, and to serve up this programme, was a real disappointment for me.  Why not do a Balanchine that shows us more of the company than two dancers?  Why not bring a Robbins?  I had an American lady sitting next to me and she was also really disappointed.  Of course it is always wonderful to see these great dancers, but this programme did nothing to show them at their best, and what they are really capable of.  But hey, I am obviously not the target audience for this kind of show at Sadler's Wells.  

32 minutes ago, Mary said:

Very interested to hear your thoughts!

Tomorrow!  😁

4 hours ago, PeterS said:

If anyone is looking I’ve just returned my ticket for tomorrow’s matinee to the box office. 

If I had one, I would be doing the same. 

Can someone please tell me how long the programme actually lasts?  On the SW website it says 2h15m including two 20-minute intervals.  On the email I got reminding me to turn up today, it says the programme lasts 1h50m including one interval.  Which is it to be??  Thanks!  

So beautiful and joyous.  What a lovely way to start the day.  Thank you!

Just now, Linnzi5 said:

So did I. As I couldn't see anyone so I left. So I'm really sorry not to see everyone  Last night was wonderful. Very special. Lots of wonderful things to say but I'm still processing it all! Lovely speech from Alex.  

I saw you going down the little staircase and called your name but you didn't hear through the noise...I was sitting in the middle so couldn't dash out to grab you.  Next time.  x

Just now, bridiem said:

 

I think that's about the only direction in which I didn't look! That's a pity. Yes, I hope next time @Richard LH 😊

If the usual table is given over to formal dining, then we sit wherever we can, usually to the right of the little stairs (as you are looking at them in the FH) either in that corner by the door that leads out onto the terrace, or next to it.  Do come and say hello next time.  @Richard LH, thanks for finding us; it was great to see you again! 

And how lovely to see Akane on the stage again!  

Beautifully put, @bridiem   A very special night, one in which we were reminded of just what it is we are losing with Alex’s departure.  I am so glad I was there, and as you say, so glad and grateful to have watched his RB career from start to finish. I wish him the very best for the future, and thank him from the bottom of my heart for all the joy he has given me over the years. ❤️😢

26 minutes ago, Richard LH said:

Apologies, I think I have been at fault here.

Thank you Richard, but no apology necessary here. 

2 hours ago, JohnS said:

I’m sorry you missed out @LinMM. All a bit of a rush at 10:00 and very fortunate to have got such a good ticket. Stalls can be a bit hit and miss but the aisle seats (normally 6 and 26/27) are exceptional.

They should be, for those prices!!  

Hi all.  I have hidden a few posts (after a report) that refer to RB couples and ex-couples dancing together.  No real breaches of AUP, just trying to nip it in the bud so no further discussion ensues.  Thank you.  

53 minutes ago, Missfrankiecat said:

I hear you.  I aways think of Corrales as being relatively short.  I've found the article (it was the Telegraph last Oct, not a women's mag but it was a fashion shoot!).  Here's what was said about heights:

 

"I’m curious to know how she and her 27-year-old Cuban-Canadian beau navigate the pressures of living and working together? ‘Well, you know, I don’t think we dance together as much as we could, because actually it all depends on heights.’ (Corrales is 5ft 11in, Frankie 5ft 2in.) ‘Some real-life ballet couples end up dancing with each other all the time. I think we dance together for just the right amount, so that we can enjoy what we do, but it’s not all season long!’ "

 

I'd link but I have the idea we're not supposed to on here.

Perfectly fine to link to a bona fide article, although the Telegraph is behind a paywall.

5 minutes ago, bridiem said:

 

Have been looking at Instagram. I'm all upset now. 😪

Ditto. 

2 hours ago, bridiem said:

Of course if circumstances were different Alexander Campbell could/should be doing Rhapsody. Just saying. 

And Oberon. 

OK, starter for 10.

I really enjoyed last night's performance, as much as for the relief of seeing CC back onstage as anything else.  It is a good ballet for him to make his return as technically it is not demanding for the man.  Understandably, I felt that he was a bit tentative and was holding back.  He was certainly not the powerhouse I have come to know and love, but I could see it lurking beneath the surface and I am sure it will be back.  His dark and broody looks complemented the internal misery of Siegfried being forced into marriage and having to assume the role of king.  

Speaking of dark and broody....as per the above, wow, what a debut from Lukas as Von Rothbart.  He was menacing but enticing, evil but sexy, elegant but scuzzy.  He walked the walk, indeed almost glided across the floor.  Wonderful use of his eyes and his tall presence onstage.  I found it a struggle to take my binoculars away from him.  As I said above, I would have happily tripped over to the dark side last night...

I liked Mayara's swan.  I think she is naturally more of an Odile than an Odette, but having said that I found that although her dancing was wonderful in both roles she wasn't evil or duplicitous enough as Odile.  She was a smiling seductress which I totally get, but I like my Odiles to show much more malice aforethought.  However, that's just my own opinion.  The fouettes were marvellous and she got a good cheer, well deserved.  Her Odette was deeply felt and her expressive face left no doubt as to how she was feeling.

Although Cesar and Mayara danced well together, I didn't feel a deep chemistry there.  Maybe in their next performance they will relax a bit more and that will come.

Joon-Hyuk Jun was a wonderful Benno.  It was this role last time out that made me notice him, and this time he was even better.  His jumps are so high, his landings so soft, his turns pinpoint perfect...but this time, added to all that, he really made something of the character.  Big bravo, Benno!

The corps delivered beauty throughout:  gorgeous arms and expressive heads, perfect synchronisation and a very moving performance from them.  The night before International Women's' Day they really imparted the notion of a gang of girls protecting each other.  Lovely.

I also found much of the music played too slowly for my liking, but maybe it's the dancers' liking so there we are.  

Disappointingly, there were no weird shadows in the sky to look at in the final moments!  I do love the designs of all the acts, and the lighting is the correct shade of moonlight and moody in the lake scenes.  

Having danced the lead role the night before, it was great to see Nela in the audience supporting her colleagues.

So a very good start to my upcoming visits to the lake.  Welcome back, Cesar.

Ooooo Lukas as Von Rothbart.  Tonight I could imagine myself going over to the dark side!  😅

He seems to be becoming quite the character dancer.   

Interesting to read such varied opinions already!  I have to wait until Saturday matinee to see for myself.  

56 minutes ago, Dawnstar said:

 

I wonder why the schedule wasn't arranged so as to have a performance of Manon tonight then? Given there are 2 performances this week it presumably should have been possible.

 

Thanks @Lizbie1, though I'm not sure if it's logic or pedantry!

I was also wondering that.  Instead of two SLs in a row, why not have SL last night, Manon tonight to celebrate the 50th, and the second SL tomorrow night?  Very weird.  

5 minutes ago, Lindsay said:

Yes, you have an interesting perspective there.  In my view, a lot of credit for the change over the last decade must go to Gailene Stock for hugely raising the standards at RBS.  She brought through most of the current principal 'class' under her tenure, including Hayward, Bracewell, Ball, Naghdi, Clarke and O'Sullivan (plus Sissens on the principal-in-waiting side) who all attended White Lodge.  I think mixing that strong 'homegrown' pipeline with the introduction of technically brilliant dancers in the Upper School (Sambe, Magri, Acri, Richardson etc.) has borne considerable fruit for the company. 

 

It would be very interesting if one were now to take a similar break to imagine what the company might look like in 2035 (!), with the school having shifted the balance to a much larger proportion of international prizewinners...

I agree wholeheartedly regarding how much this improvement started with Ms Stock and her vision for the school.  An absolute tragedy that we lost her so young.  But she has left a wonderful legacy....for now, at least.  Credit also to Kevin for concentrating on dancers from the school.  

Returned to BO.

Oh dear....now I'm going to be looking out for this through my binocs tonight!  Maybe they will have sorted it out by then, but I kind of hope not!  😂