Sim

What a beautiful post, jmb.

I agree with much of the above. I knew, from other times I have seen him, that Vladimir Shklyarov would dance beautifully and be naturally passionate and intense, but wow…he took my breath away. The first pdd was indeed a bit tentative, but in a way that also reflected this young man falling in love, probably for the first time, not quite knowing what to do about it but show his joy. I love how he beamed through his first solo, so happy for having found this feeling deep inside him. This was different from the usual yearning type of solo that is portrayed here. This was pure joy. Yes, there were a few heavy landings, and a couple of slight wobbles, but as others have said about the 32 fouettees, who cares? He pierced my heart immediately, and the narrative made much more sense from then on in from Manon’s point of view. I could totally understand why she fell for him, and why she ends up sacrificing everything to be with him. Shklyarov started relaxing after the first couple of scenes, and just got better and better. I haven’t seen that depth of passion in this role for a long time. I just couldn’t believe this was a debut. He convincingly conveyed joy, love, anger, desperation and despair in equal measure, and by his final silent scream at the end, I was blown away. I am sure their next show will be even better. I liked Natalia Osipova’s interpretation of the role last time around, and this time I like it even more. She has brought more to it, and as Dave said above she is excellent at portraying Manon’s inner conflict and turmoil; when she feels those cold diamonds against her warm skin, you can almost see a shadow crossing her face. Throughout her pdt with Lescaut and GM, you can see that she is trying to be what those men want her to be, but her disgust is evident. She keeps touching her necklace to remind herself exactly why it is that she is doing this. The same in Act 2; I never got the feeling that she revels in her sexual allure….she tries, but her natural, default position is the young girl in love with a good man, who knows deep down that she is doing the wrong thing but, for a while, can’t quite help it. The final pdd in the swamp was a bit slow and not as technically risky as others I have seen, but again I didn’t mind because my heart was too busy bleeding for this tragic couple. I don’t always feel sorry for Manon at the end of the ballet, but last night I did. I thought Yasmine Naghdi’s Mistress was superb. Amazing technically, and a very nuanced, intelligent interpretation. I loved all those little extras; watching her through the binoculars, her reaction at the beginning of Act 1 when Manon first arrives and the men are all attracted to her was wonderful: she touched her hair, she smoothed her dress and glared….a bit like Larisch in Mayerling, this was a young usurper turning up and threatening her womanhood. Throughout, her contempt for Manon was plain to see, as was her contempt for the whole situation. Someone said to me last night that although they loved her dancing, they thought that she is naturally too much of a lady to get down and dirty with the whores. I quite liked this; it brought something different to the role, almost as if she shouldn’t really be there but circumstances have reduced her to a ‘lower’ state of being. During her Act 2 solo, at one point her arms were already turning into beautiful swans’ wings; I can’t wait for that debut! I’m afraid I wasn’t “feeling” Marcelino Sambe’s Lescaut. Yes, his dancing was excellent, but I just didn’t get much characterisation from him. Maybe it will come after a couple more performances. Gary Avis as M. GM and Bennett Gartside as the Gaoler were a pair of evil, nasty characters, and totally convincing. I am glad I am seeing many Manons because there is always so much going on in the background that it is impossible to get the whole at only one or two viewings. Things have definitely toned down over the years, but it is still so much fun to watch all the background shenanigans in Act 2. As a woman, I didn’t find anything offensive whatsoever. What I found was a total performance, where every single person on that stage had a story and a character, which is just what MacMillan wanted. I missed opening night so can’t compare last night with that, but I don’t think I would want to…..I find Manon one of the hardest ballets in which to make comparisons, as all the roles are so open to interpretation. Last night was, for me, a great start.

Bruce, my like was to do with Richard's comment about Yasmine!

A fabulous evening. Shklyarov's incredibly passionate performance will stay with me for a very long time. I am in love like a school girl. More tomorrow....sigh.

Can't wait to see these two in M&A....they are both such wonderful dance-actors that I'm sure it will be a very emotional rendering of the piece.

Welcome to the forum SirLensCap!

Gerald Fowler also says Act 2 has been "toned down.". I noticed that in the last run.

Interesting....whilst some people on this thread think that Act 2 goes too far and should be pruned or calmed down, Neil Norman in his review says that the ballet has been "anaesthetised" . Another example of how perceptions differ!

Hi balletsoccermom. We are discussing the Copeland video and subsequent social media storm on another thread; I think that is why Jan started this one as a separate issue!

Thanks Richard, Mary and Bridie. I loved her Manon last time around, and I can imagine it's even better now! So pleased you all enjoyed it so much.

Well they all have fab bodies but I don't want to be reminded of my grandmother's underwear when I am watching a ballet! 😂

I had a ticket but have a horrible flu-like virus so had to give my ticket away. My daughter just texted me to say that Hayward/Bonelli were amazing. So go on folks....anyone else want to make me feel even worse??!! 😂😳. I have to wait until their next performance to see them.

I asked a security guard about it and he said they stop at 7.30 when everyone is inside. I wonder if they will sue the ROH for noise damage?! 🙂

I meant inside the hall.

These disturbing demos have been going on for a few weeks, MAB. Luckily you can't hear it once you are inside.

From today's BBC News website. Have any of your children been faced with this situation? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43569149

I agree Lizzie. The article is clearly written by someone who knows nothing about ballet. They would have been much better to have left Misty to speak for herself.

I don't particularly want to watch dancers in underwear, whether it's trendy or fashionable or not.

I must say I am a bit dubious about this. I wonder if the ROH can/will appeal?

Thanks all. I thought it was a bit weird for them to be doing it twice in two days! 😱

Wow, Bonelli and Hayward dancing the full ballet two days in a row?!

It was Meghan Grace Hinkis interviewed on In Tune!

Thanks Jan. A lovely, and very sad, reminder of what we have lost and will always miss.

So do I. I would have humiliated him forthwith!!

Because they aren't really big at all.