bangorballetboy

I thought it was quite well known that there's a largish ballet piece in the closing ceremony - Cindy Jourdain is the co-ordinator.

Click through for more details: Credits Choreography (Machina) Kim Brandstrup Choreography (Machina) Wayne McGregor Choreography (Trespass) Alastair Marriott Choreography (Trespass) Christopher Wheeldon Choreography (Diana & Actaeon) Liam Scarlett Choreography (Diana & Actaeon) Will Tuckett Choreography (Diana & Actaeon) Jonathan Watkins Music Jonathan Dove Music Nico Muhly Music Mark-Anthony Turnage Artist Chris Ofili Artist Conrad Shawcross Artist Mark Wallinger Librettist Alastair Middleton Lighting design Lucy Carter Performers Conductor Dominic Grier Conductor Thomas Seligman Conductor Barry Wordsworth Principal (Machina) Leanne Benjamin Principal (Machina) Tamara Rojo Principal (Machina) Carlos Acosta Principal (Machina) Edward Watson Principal (Trespass) Beatriz Stix-Brunell Principal (Trespass) Sarah Lamb Principal (Trespass) Melissa Hamilton Principal (Trespass) Nehemiah Kish Principal (Trespass) Steven McRae Principal (Diana & Actaeon) Marianela Nuñez Principal (Diana & Actaeon) Federico Bonelli Orchestra Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

How do you know there's an elephant in your fridge? Great big footprints in the butter.

Nothing to do with the Royal (other than some of their dancers appearing). This was a London Jewish Cultural Centre organised event.

We didn't get a cast change slip either but had spotted the changes of dancer. Thanks for the head-up on Hageli's choreography.

Indeed, he was a "doctor" in Pagodas on Wednesday.

I think Margaret was talking about "In Rehearsal" rather than FGRs.

But at least you get some nice music to listen to as you wait...

I think the figure is more like 40%, though it depends what one means by British (for example, Pietra Mello-Pittman has lived in the UK since she was 5)!

I had that problem. Try the "back" button and then check your basket. The seating plan had crashed but my tickets were still in the basket.

Agreed.

Well I've seen a number of tweets which suggest he has joined the Stanislavsky Ballet...

???? The RB have been doing that for years (and since before London Festival Ballet even existed).

9th and 27th

Or even to get out of the auditorium in some cases!

Harsh!

Thanks Alison. Wish I'd read this earlier!

Ah well, that's me done for!

I'm afraid most of the Marquez & McRae performance left me cold and unmoved. Not only were there times when Marquez couldn't manage the choreography (which sometimes happens when she's having a bad day), the lack of "Ashton" in their performance screamed at me. It was often like a Russian "look at me" show and there were a number of places where they weren't in time with each other or the music. I was, however, very impressed with McRae's solos (which are pure show-off territory anyhow) and Marquez's act 2 mime was simply delicious. I thought Ondiviela's Alain was superb. I had the benefit of a front row seat and could see every tiny detail of his performance and felt he captured the right balance of comedy & pathos. Perhaps some of this might not have travelled further into the auditorium? Mosley's Simone is kind and gently witty. Almost in time on the clog dance and precise everywhere else, his performance is very entertaining and warm. Another great performance from the corps, barring a minor hiccup with the maypole ribbons when someone grabbed the wrong one but, hey! Peregrine also on fine fettle. My final comment is on McRae's hair. I know Colas is a country boy but must he look like he's been dragged through a hedge backwards?

But the Met cinecasts are always Saturday evenings in the UK.

That depends on the players' contracts. For example, the ROH Orchestra are contracted to remain in the pit until the first orchestral curtain call (i.e. when the conductor and cast come forward to acknowledge them). The Ballet Ballet Sinfonia on the other hand (& IIRC) are contracted to remain until the second call.

Sergei who?

Somewhat off topic but I recall (in the very distant past) a romantic assignation on the stone steps in the Wimbledon Theatre (as it then was). Ah, memories...

An excellent thread, thanks Alison.

Thanks Bluebird. I've corrected my original post ('twas a transcription error by me).