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James and Ryo have both posted on social media that they are having surgery today.  James is having his knee cartilage 'cleaned up' and Ryo looks like he is having ankle surgery (just a guess as he hasn't specified).  James has confirmed that his season his over.  I wish them both well and hope that their surgeries are successful.  James is hoping to be back for a full 24/25 season.  I do hope so; he has been much missed this year (although he has managed a few appearances).  

There’s a lovely interview with Yasmine Naghdi in today’s Times, wherein she discusses (amongst other things) what it’s like to dance Swan Lake on a live broadcast, and the technical challenges of the role of Odette/Odile.  See today’s links…the article is there with a share token so is accessible to all.  She has also posted it on Instagram.

Just now, Richard LH said:

Sorry yes of course I should have said ROH. Perhaps a Mod could kindly change the title?

Done. 

32 minutes ago, Tango Dancer said:

I saw the BRB version of that in Brandon Lawrence's farewell performance last year.  It was lovely.  

Ditto.   

28 minutes ago, Missfrankiecat said:

Yes, Isabella has had a wonderful few weeks showing her versatility and character.  I always find her to be such a graceful, classical dancer and hope she will have further impressed the powers that be over the past weeks, so we see her in more leading roles.

I think she would make a wonderful Juliet so I hope that she is given the chance next season.  

2 hours ago, alison said:

I imagine it was an exception. After all, both dancers might have had other plans for a Saturday night.

Yes, but other dancers have dashed in when their nights were already underway and didn't get champagne.  Or given just a couple of hours' notice to substitute, and didn't get champagne.  I think it's a lovely gesture and I would like to think that going forward it would be accorded to other dancers who do the same thing.  

1 hour ago, Cayetana said:

I think you are right. Inoticed that too

 

Sad as it is, the injury added yet another larger to the poignancy of the piece. Of course I'm dejected hat door piano is injured

What a hard Art this is.

 

 

 

 

Door piano??!!  Autocorrect?!

19 minutes ago, Missfrankiecat said:

In @Rob S photo, Francesca looks genuinely surprised to receive it.  I agree it is a nice gesture to thank those who slot in at the last minute whatever plans they had to keep the show on the road.

Yes, absolutely deserved.  I'm just wondering if this is a new thing to thank last-minute subs on behalf of the RB?

Gosh, that sounds so disturbing.  I hope it didn't ruin everyone's night, including the ROH staff.  

Back to happier things....is that Kevin in the photo giving the champers to FH and MS?  If so, what a lovely gesture of thanks.  I wonder if other last-minute subs get given the same if it is a House gift?

Just now, Mary said:

Thanks for reminding me- I left black tights off my list and Siegfried's black tights against black floor are indeed very annoying and absurd when we all want to see his legs so much.

I have been griping about black tights in ballet for years.  I seem to remember that Nureyev tried to avoid them as often as possible as he wanted everyone to see his legs (but of course!).

2 minutes ago, capybara said:

 

Not the way I look at it.

The soliloquy between Acts 1&2 is gorgeous, his Act 3 variation can be spectacular. The rest is partnering an Odette or an Odile who completely obscures Siegfried from view for much of the time.

@Mary’s version (see above) would sort the dancing issue for me nicely. But not the ending 🤔

 

I agree.  I don't remember ever having seen a version of SL in the past 60 years where Siegfried has less to do than he does here!!

I remember seeing a version of SL many years ago (can't remember which company) where Siegfried's body is being carried out of the water (perhaps by Benno) as the curtains open to the prologue music.  At the end, therefore, he and Odette are united in death.

I don't believe in any kind of life after death, which is why I love the ending where there is eternal life after death.  It gives me hope, even though I believe it would never happen.  It is, after all, just a fairytale....and the music says to me that there is this redemption.  They have defeated evil, and their reward is to go to a better place together for all eternity.  I'll take that.  

8 minutes ago, Mary said:

 

Luckily for you all I am not going to get the chance....

More's the pity, as I think all of your suggestions are excellent!

3 hours ago, San Perregrino said:

A bit hard to do if you’ve been knocked unconscious. This Siegfried has shown us in previous scenes that he’s under his mother’s thumb and somewhat afraid of Von Rothbart at court. So having him taken out the action with a single blow sort of makes sense. 

Clearly I wasn’t referring to after he has been knocked unconscious.  That shouldn’t have happened in the first place.  

5 minutes ago, San Perregrino said:

That would be the obvious man triumphs over monster macho fight, the St George slays the dragon etc

Much more subtle is the girl power of the massed swans rising up in revenge for Odile’s death.

Perhaps Liam Scarlett foresaw that times were changing and so gave us this seemingly unconventional ending. 

I didn't say anywhere that he triumphs.  I just said that he should fight.  I would hope that with the imminent prospect of the death of someone you love, you would fight to try to avoid it happening, irrespective of whether you are male or female.  I did mention further upthread that I like the 'girl power' aspect of the swans getting their revenge on VR.  But I would like it more if Siegfried had put up a good fight, then gone over the rocks to join Odette, then let the swans finish off VR.  Nothing to do with 'macho' fights, all to do with fighting for someone you love.  

2 hours ago, Mary said:

No need to explain or aplogise for a less than positive review I hope- I am sure we all welcome honest responses,  no matter how critical  (so long, of course as they are appropriately worded.)

 

Plenty of us have commented on Act IV not really working.

 

 

I love things about Act IV:  the pdd, the beautiful swans, the way the swans slowly leave the stage during the pdd, the atmospheric lighting.  What I dislike about the act is that Siegfried is consigned to the floor for much of the last part.  He should be up, fighting VR !  Nor do I like the ending (my preference is for them both to die, then reunite in the apotheosis for eternity, as in Dowell's version), although I think I'm getting used to it.  

2 hours ago, RHowarth said:

Sambe in Different Drummer on Tuesday was still lodged in my mind, too, JohnS, and probably coloured my viewing of Swan Lake last night. 

 

A 6am start with a 3-year-old, a long train journey, a glass of wine before the show, and not yet having checked into my hotel (nor really knowing where it was) - these are all things that can impact! 

Or, you just might not have liked it simply because you didn't like it!  It's allowed!

1 hour ago, Irmgard said:

Alessandra Ferri will be performing in the June performances at the Metropolitan Opera House.  She told me about this back in November and she is listed on ABT's calendar of performances.

How wonderful that she will perform with ABT on that stage again!  

4 hours ago, Geoff said:

More news about the Arts Council and the Wigmore Hall, to quote from the current issue of Private Eye:

 

>>"The regime at ACE is horrific: an Orwellian culture of ideological zealotry that everyone wants to speak out against but daren't because there's too much to lose. ACE isn't interested in music, excellence, quality... only social engineering. In return for its money it burdens us with unfeasible amounts of reporting about diversity targets, inclusion goals, the number of trans people in the audience... all wrapped up in meaningless language." The Wigmore spent a third of its ACE grant on reporting. And though the grant is for offstage community work, ACE had used it to dictate matters on stage, triggering a relationship breakdown. 
 

This is appalling, but not surprising.  It's merely a reflection of where our society is right now.  Bravo Wigmore Hall for being so brave.

1 hour ago, LinMM said:

Because I wasn’t really that drawn into Danses Concertantes …didn’t dislike but just didn’t really grab me …I started focussing on a  “guess the dancer” game. For a couple of minutes thought Caspar Lench was the one in green but then realised it wasn’t him but couldn’t get who it actually was( Zucchetti I believe)  Anyway in the interval when I got the cast list up I hadn’t got one dancer correct ….not even Gasparini who danced with such charm!!! 
It’s only 9 months since my last big optician visit but think I may need new distance glasses already🙄
 

Should've gone to Specsavers....!  🤓

Probably for her TikTok or Instagram page...

Links – Thursday, 11 April 2024

Review – Australian Ballet, Carmen (Inger), Sydney Opera House, Jansson J. Antmann,Limelight

Review – Ballet Oregon, Mixed Bill, Portland, Amy Leona Havin,  Oregon Arts Watch

Review – Chou Kuan-Jou, Tomato, Taipei, Helen Davidson, The Guardian

Review – Ballet Embody, Dance Mosaic, Synergy Space, Maryland, Justin Rustle, MD Theatre Guide

Review – Astana Opera Ballet Company, Dreams Come True Gala, Aibarshyn Akhmetkali, The Astana Times

Preview – Northern Ballet, Three Short Ballets, Staff, Gramilano

Preview – Dance Theater of Harlem Celebrates 55^th Anniversary at City Center, NYC, Zita Allen, New Amsterdam News

Preview – Grand Kyiv Ballet, Giselle, Los Angeles, Staff, Beverly Press

Preview – Joffrey Ballet to Give Free Show in Chicago in June, Stephi Wild, Broadway World

Preview – International Ballet Company, Mixed Bill, Majorca, Majorca Daily Bulletin

Preview Video - South Carolina Ballet, The Elvis Ballet, Koger Center, Intisar Faulkner,  WISTV

Article - They Said Ballet Isn’t for Men, Anthony Madu, Newsweek

Article – Why Natalie Portman’s Portrayal in Black Swan Still Angers Dancers, Neville Naidoo, Movie Web

News – Sarasota Ballet’s New Season Announcement, Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herald Tribune

Feature – Adult Ballet Intensive Courses (USA), Lindsay Martell, Pointe Magazine

Feature – Study Shows Music and Dance Help Alleviate Parkinson’s Symptoms, Staff, Times of India

Finally, the feelgood bit at the end:

News/Video – Youcef Belouazani Wins Under 19 Irish Dancing World Championship, Belfast Live

Links – Wednesday, 10th April 2024

Review – ENB, Carmen, Sadler’s Wells, Camila Sayers, The Fan Carpet

Preview –  Ballet Black, Heroes, Theresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper

Preview – Miro Magloire’s Chamber Ballet Returns to Mark Morris Dance Center, Stephi Wild,  Broadway World

Preview – Los Angeles Ballet Will Honor Kris Bowers at 2024 Gala, Stephi Wild, Broadway World

Preview – Carolina Ballet to Present The Pirate and the Princess, Staff, Greenville Journal

Article – London City Ballet Returns After 30 Years, Georgia Luckhurst,  The Stage (paywall)

Interview – Nikisha Fogo of San Francisco Ballet, Senior Staff, The Daily Californian

News – Welsh Dancer to Represent GB at Cecchetti Competition,  Rhianne Talling, Yahoo News

Video – Closing the Generation Gap With Dance (Sadler’s Wells Company of Elders and ZooNation)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68732484

Great review Jan, thanks.  I can’t wait to see this in London at the end of May.  

Someone once described Bourne's works as "dancicals"  and for me that is the perfect description for them.