Minder

The cart has to come down the steps towards the audience and orchestra with deliberately wobbly wheels. If I'd been Gavin Sutherland I'd be a bit worried but he seems to have a good sense of fun - at the orchestral rehearsal at Henry Wood Hall he said in the interval that at one of the venues (Bristol I think) there is no orchestra pit so if the lighting is wrong he casts a shadow over the stage. I went on Saturday evening and agree with Irmgard, particularly the last act. The Erina/Hernandez/Corrales combination on Thursday evening was equally effective but with very different characterisations.

I pre booked a £8 train ticket from London to Liverpool and the overnight coach back to see both Saturday shows and debuts, although Laurretta Summerscales had by then already done her first performance. I agree that Shiori Kase and Yonah Acosta were very assured and well suited to giving a very satisfying rendition of a production which to me tells the story better than most. The last act is certainly no let down. I doubt if Shiori could ever do real evil in Act III and was convincing as a more sly and deceitful swan. Senri Kou did stand out in her first pas de trios stamping her personality on it. And praise for Shevelle Dynott as a terrifying Rothbart - he seemed so quiet an hour earlier as he passed through the Friends backstage tour just at the time we were with the costumes, confirming how heavy his was to dance with!. They have decided only to do his face with make up and not with any other add-ons. I think it works very well. Alejando Virelles seemed a bit tired but it was the last show of the tour. Laurretta Summerscales in the evening was truly remarkable in one so young, for her solid technique including an arabesque on pointe as Odile with no wobbles for what seemed like ever and very natural acting and mime. She has the ability to command the stage and can't wait hopefully to catch a reprise in London.

I saw two of the younger casts last week - Shiori Kase/Yonah Acosta on 17th and Laurretta Summerscales/James Forbat on 19th. Both performances were very good and satisfying although very different Clara's. Shiori has an exceptionally good technique. She can hold balances and make it look easy with no advance preparations, she seems to be able to go backwards and stop almost off balance in the solo (sorry don't know what that's called) and she can spin like few others. It was a case of you've seen singles and doubles, I can do a triple in the middle and if you think that's good I'll finish with a quadruple - a few gasps in the Balcony. Yonah is a very good partner. Laurretta is more elegant and classical and she has an ability to project to the whole audience. I went to the class at Milton Keynes before the Corsaire, she was at the front and seemed to be practicing eye contact to the top of the theatre. Finally some praise for Anton Lukovkin as the Mouse King - gave the nutcrackers a good run for their money.

Many thanks Carol, we have never ever managed to get our hands on RB class before!

Last night (20 June) was the premiere of Kim Brandstrup's "Ceremony of Innocence" at Snape Maltings as part of the Aldeburgh Festival and Britten's centenary. As there are only 2 performances (second is tonight) I thought I would jot down a few thoughts. Brandstrup has already worked on Death in Venice for ENO and has loosely returned to the theme. The music is Britten's "Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge" which suits dance and drama. Edward Watson plays an anguished man seemingly obsessed with a young boy (Marcelino Sambe) to the disgust of the boy's mother (Mara Galeazzi). Meanwhile two young couples (Itziar Mendizabal/Alexander Campbell and Deidre Chapman/Johannes Stepanek) are full of the joys of life. I don't think there is a story as such but this is what I saw. It is a really well thought out piece which never flags in its 25 minutes or so and is actually helped by video projection of what looked like the inside of a confused mind then shadows of dancers (pre recorded cast members) and waves of water then at the end back to anguish. Snape has a brick wall at the back and needs something like this to avoid the dances merging with the brickwork. Marcelino Sambe was outstanding, not just in getting the character and some virtuoso dancing but also partnering and lifting Mara with confidence. He deserved the big first night cheer he got. With Mara's retirement it is a shame her acting and the work could never be reprised with the original cast, because it justifies further viewing. The evening was shared with Royal Ballet of Flanders with two works by Ashley Page - If Memory Serves (short and cheerful) and Courting the Senses (baroque to Purcell arranged by Britten; dark and interesting) - and one longer piece by Cameron McMillan called Dream Weaver. For me a bit long and repetitive but showing fluid movement and the quality of the Flanders' dancers. The Flanders pieces had already been created and performed recently in Belgium and at times the Snape brick wall syndrome was a distraction.

Just over 100 just online all performance dates. Time now 16.07 be quick!

Me thinks this is much Ado About Nothing!

Attention all Ballet co lunchers, tomorrow is the big day. TFL have the usual closures on underground system www.tfl.gov.uk Please cash is easier to sort out bill, all drinks paid on individual separate bills. Bluebirds directions pasted above, we walk from the Picadilly line Holborn Look forward to meeting new diners Tim B, Michelle R and Ian Macmillan and all the usual dudes!

Received and message returned several days ago, enjoy your gathering, Will notify you if any monies owing.

Last chance for lunch....need to know in the next day Monday evening at the latest? Will try to arrange for you, currently one place available! Best wishes Grey Rabbit. ps please post on this thread thanks

To all London diners. Thank you for your menu choices looking forward to meeting you all January 6 2013 13.00 for 13.30 Savoir Faire.

Hi Tim b, menu arrived ok, look forward to meeting you. Sent personal message you need to log in look top right page envelope will show red if you have message, just click

Last call for reservations and food orders for Ballet.co lunch Need to get in food orders ASAP so no longer have to check several times a day for changes! Lunch is pre order reservation only! Between Boxing day few days window only but no promise of places. Post applications on thread, last couple food orders Alison, Ann W and Tim B please mail.

No still Sunday January 6 2013 Savoir Faire London, 13.00 for 13.30

Sent personal messages to all prospective diners. Confirm date January 6 2013 13.00 for 13.30 Savoir Faire London. Need confirmations and menu choices please! Few spaces left pre book and menu pre order only. Post here or PM Monder If no message received please shout..

Hi Tim b, your name is on our list.(a little like the Mikado) Further details for London lunch in the next few days. Closing date December 1, deposits and menu choices about week later. Menu details and venue earlier on this thread. Eighteen diners so far room for a few more!

Current news is lunch will be 13.00 for 13.30 (1pm for 1.30) Numbers are creeping up the maximum 22/24 persons.

Hi Just to say booking for the lunch is via the website only! Please do not worry the restaurant. Waiting for confirmation from Irene re time and numbers. Menu posted item 11 higher on this thread.

Minder has email link for booking and menu choices. Then we will try and work out arrangements re deposits.either mail cheque or hand over @ROH performance. Last year we did all liasion with Savoir Faire re numbers etc. Will send out maps later. 10 minute walk from Underground Holborn station

Ballet co lunch all welcome subject to the following LUNCH IS PRE BOOK ONLY BY DECEMBER ONE MENU CHOICES BY DECEMBER 9 ALSO FIVE POUNDS DEPOSIT PER PERSON. THE BISTRO IS SMALL AND THE FOOD GOOD SO SORRY NO LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS. MINDER AND GR

Menu for lunch Sunday 6 January 2013 Christmas Lunch Menu * Christmas Dinner Menu 3 Courses Christmas Lunch Menu £18.90 + 10% service charge Starters Smoked Salmon and Parmesan Consomme Jerusalem Artichoke and Chestnut Soup topped with Smoked Paprika Oil and tapenade Croutons (V) Scallop and Prawn with Vermouth Cream Sauce in Puff Pastry Wild Mushrooms with Leeks, Shallots, Brandy and Grilled Goat's Cheese on Toasted Walnut Bread (V) Foie Gras pate with Pear and Saffron Chutney Avocado, Celeriac and Green Olive and Walnut Remoulade with Tomato and Sweet Chilli Dressing (V) Main Courses Roast Rib of Beef with Black Velvet and Horseradish Sauce Fillet of Sea bass with Lemon Poached Leeks and Shrimp-Lemon Butter Stuffed Demi Poussin with Spiced Butternut Squash Puree and Blackberry Syrup Slow Roasted Lamb Shank with a Gorgonzola Crust Blueberry and Molasses-Glazed pork Belly in Cider Sauce Tofu and Shiitake Mushroom Curry with Green Beans and Pineapple served with Rice (V) Roasted Pumpkin and Watercress Pesto Pie with Soured Cream in Basil and Walnut Pastry(V) Desserts Spiked Mango Sorbet with Caramelised Chillies Sticky Toffee Pudding Chocolate, Orange Liqueur Mousse Selection of Cheeses and Crackers £5 per person none refundable deposit to confirm the booking. The deposit will be deducted from the final bill.

Grey Rabbit has mulled it over and the only date she personally is available to organise this is Sunday 6 January 2013. There is a RB first time family welcome performance of Nutcracker at 2pm labelled "not for sale" - presume media promotion (Cuthbertson/Kish/L.Cope/Kay). The menus at our usual venue look yummy as ever at similar price to last year. if interested please post here ASAP

I made it to the first night and can hopefully remember something from a week ago. There were 4 premieres - Classical Symphony by Jenna Lee, Legends by Michael Corder, Threefold by George Williamson and Bright Young Things by Ernst Meisner. Ernst was also "Project Manager" and deserves much credit for helping bring together a full and balanced evening with some innovative back projections, excellent young musicians and much moving of a piano on stage. Other choreographers were Kristen McNally (Lonesome Gun), Rebecca Wilson (Joy), Andrew McNichol (Le Carnival des Verites), Wayne Eagling (Resolution) and Samantha Raine (Sixes and Sevens). Maybe everyone should wait a week before commenting but the things that stay in my mind are: - Hayley Forskitt leading a troupe of female gun slingers to the themes from westerns; it needed someone tall and blond to do it and can she replace the diminutive Alan Ladd in old western please. - the backdrop in Threefold which responded to the music and somehow added to the movement - the childhood lunacies of "Joy" with a cornish background and famous five type costumes. Ideal to start the second half and not extended until it became boring. - Resolution to Mahler songs is an awesome piece, sad and beautiful - Ernst's own piece was also an energetic and fun party finish with lots of red and black design and red lines on the backdrop drawing a scenario. But all the pieces were good and worth revisiting, even if a piano on stage is a bit of a groan for me - maybe the tightness of the Peacock bunker can't accommodate anything else but it is annoying when the dance goes behind the pianist.

I really enjoyed Sweet Violets as a piece of dance but thought it didn't quite work as theatre. As soon as the lights came up on the middle music hall section, I expected to be lulled into a happy bit with bright red dresses whirling round which would make whatever gruesome ending Liam had in store all the more horrific. However it seemed rather like Onegin wandering round the ball but we did know why Onegin was there. For me, have Sickert on the sidelines for a while and have more of the red dresses facing the audience, then I'd be happy - at least until the next murder!