nottsballetlover

Interesting topic.... I'm travelling down to Bristol from Nottingham this Saturday to see both matinee and evening shows of BRB's Coppelia, which will BRB's last this season. I fell in love with Bristol and its Hippodrome when I went last year to see the most amazing farewell performance in Taming of the Shrew by Elisha Willis. I get SO excited that there is no orchestra pit so RB Symphonia has to set up on the first few rows of the stalls! It's just fab!! I noted last year the poor ticket sales and now, looking at next year's schedule, it seems this year will be the last in a while that BRB bring a full length ballet for a whole week to Bristol. They tried it in Nottingham too and it didn't work & they abandoned it, but at leat we still get the mid scale.... But anyway, I'm digressing. ATG theatre charges: I try not to notice these but now it's been mentioned on this forum, I've now checked my Coppelia tickets for Bristol. The face price of my front row stalls seats has a nearly 20% charge on top of it for whatever it says is what they charge (for what exactly I know not...). Mega ouch!!!! I didn't notice at the time I booked but I'm such a BRB fan I had to book. That level of fees will certainly put people off booking and that is such a shame. It does kind of feel like a con. When I book with this particular theatre group, I feel uncomfortable with the added charges and in fact 'unsafe' when I am booking with them. Coupled with the fact they don't send out tickets immediately, sometime not until months after you have booked, making you stress that your booking didn't in fact go through...! It concerns me deeply that a theatre owner would rather have a half empty theatre than offer up cheap tickets to fill up the house; I know some theatres do this and offer up seats to school groups and charities, when they have lots of empty seats. Or at least have a local mailing list and offer discounts: I'm a friend of my local theatre in Nottingham and if the seats aren't selling for a particular show, they email everyone on their mailing list offering 2 for 1 or half price. I can't understand why this particular theatre group won't do offers! Anyway, whatever the ticket sales in Bristol, I'm sure BRB will have a warm reception! Last year they certainly did and I think ticket sales picked up last minute after local publicity drive. I know these shows will be fab! Obviously, it has already been announced that William Bracewell is moving to RB next year. It appears from cast list published on BRB website that he will dance as Call to Arms Lead in Saturday's evening's Coppelia in Bristol. So, without me saying anything that isn't already in the public domain.....that will be the last time we can get to see him with BRB. I wish him so many good wishes and happiness with RB but very much looking forward to that BRB show on Saturday!

I saw the Ballet Black triple last Thursday in Nottingham and really enjoyed it. Every single one of the dancers in this small company contributes and as a whole, they produce superb dancing in fascinating short pieces. I adored the first piece by Michael Corder, set to beautiful piano pieces by Debussy. The movement created on the 2 couples was lyrical, flowing and gorgeous to watch. I was less taken with the second piece, Captured; although the choreography was good, I really struggle to sit through anything involving Shostakovitch!! So for me, Lopez Ochoa's version of Red Riding Hood was a sensational way to end the triple - jazzy and funny in parts, mix of sexy and scary as Janet said. And wow! Clever balloons! I guess they were on some kind of weighted magnets! Glad none of them accidentally burst Janet! Such a great evening, so glad Nottingham is on Black Black's tour schedule, and using our smaller theatre, the Playhouse, which has a very intimate feel, perfect for a small company such as Ballet Black.

As I said above, I was at the matinee yesterday of this varied triple bill from BRB. I absolutely thought Arcadia by Ruth Brill was in fact quite brill! It was a fabulous combination of the superb music and sax playing by John Harle, and lovely and quite sensual choreography, which really showed off Brandon Lawrence's wonderful talent. Corder's La Baiser I was not too sure about. Superb dancing from the whole cast but I was a bit bored really. I'd already seen Pineapple Poll twice when it came to Nottingham in May with 2 other pieces. It's so fun and uplifting, so great way to end a show. Very good value this triple, with my front row stalls seat only costing £28 I think. As BMC mentioned above, very thin audience, which is a shame as there was something to suit most people in the audience with this triple and such good ticket prices!

Just seen Arcadia in the BRB triple n Brum. I loved it! More later! Got to find existing review thread...

Coppelia was lovely yesterday matinee. Samara Downs gorgeous, Mattias Dingman equally so. Joy. Roll on my mini break to Bristol.

I first saw An American Paris in London in the previews in March. With an elderly friend who insisted we sat quite far back in the stalls. Oh heavens, £70 for a seat far back in row P and with somebody's head in front of me. Grrrr. Happy to report, I went back last week to see Robbie Fairchild in the starring role just before he hoofs it back to his home in USA.! It was sensational. Loved it. Yay, sat in front row and paid just under £30 for the ticket. Yes, you get some of the dancer's feet cut off but it's just fab sitting there imho. Oh it's just a fantastic show. Leanne Cope: so beautiful and just fantastically perfect in that role of Lise. Front row is ace. I just couldn't stop singing for about 4 days after the show; was doing Stairway To Paradise. Haydn Oakley is utterly fab at this.

Oooh, meant to write up my thought on this sooner but my viewings of this ballet got entangled with me getting hideous toothache followed closely by traumatic extraction!! Only now am I able to see the light of day with clarity (as in not zonked on on pain killers) .....but I must point out I still went to see ballet at the height of my tooth issues, and ballet helped!! Ballet numbs pain: fact. So, I've seen Boy in Striped Pyjamas 3 x now; once in Doncaster and twice in Leicester. I've seen both the leading casts. It is of course, a very difficult topic and narrative but bravo to Northern Ballet for taking it on. Brave move but it's not going to be for everyone. I found the story telling through the dance was touching, sensitive and emotional. I first saw the film version on a long haul flight and sobbed so much at the end, an air steward came over to me and asked if I needed a drink, which I did.... In this Northern Ballet version, I was touched to the heart by the beautiful portrayal of Bruno and Shmuel by Matthew Koon/ Kevin Poeung and Luke Francis/ Filippo de Vilio. I felt the choreography by Daniel de Andrade was gorgeously lyrical and for the 2 child characters particularly, really spoke the narrative. Then there was the utterly chilling, menacing and evil character of Kotler: performed stunningly by Sean Bates and Dale Francis. Really fine and powerful performances by all the supporting casts. I am just in awe at how good Northern Ballet's dancers are at communicating such drama, they are exceptional; at this. For me, this whole production produced unbelievably powerful and moving performances by all the cast. Really admirable. Not an easy watch though. As Janet says above, I would not have chosen it as a ballet. But I absolutely applaud the dancers in their performances in this. Stunning dancing and acting. Watching this really broke my heart. A few words though about the 'music'. Hated it, discordant sounds. I found a way to tune it out during shows 2 and 3 I saw. Just awful imo. My personal views - I do like notes that form some kind of tune as opposed to some kind of disharmonious mess. The soundtrack for Boy in Striped Pyjamas was for me excruciating sounds put together in no particular order. For me, the only way I got through 3 performances was because of the dancing. No excuses - just because it's a horrible and tragic story line doesn't mean the music has to be awful. After all, the music for Schindler's List is one of the most beautiful scores ever written (John Williams) and justifiably won many awards. The music for this production would be the main reason I can't watch multiple performances. As I said, I saw 3 just to see the different casts but I would not pay to see any more, as good as the dancing is.

It is indeed a 'draw' for BRB! ? I booked 2 Bristol+ 1 Brum & happy to be seeing 3 great casts including Gittens&Singleton!

Janet: wonderful to hear your feelings about the Javier Torres performance. I'm destined not to see him as Casanova even as tomorrow I see performance number 7 of this most amazing production. Just keep missing him but both Guiliano Contadini & Joseph Taylor are both superb in the role. I have rarely felt so gripped and involved in a production. Repeat viewings just make me want more. Remarkable achievement by all at NB & Kenny Tindall. I went to post show talk today at Lowry; David Nixon said it is the most expensive production NB has ever done but money was no object to support the genius choreographic talent that is Kenny Tindall! I concur with your sentiment entirely Janet; I will feel bereft once this Casanova run is over! Bring it back soon NB & for heaven's sake, film it!!!

Gosh Don Q Fan. I do so hope you love it as much as I do! I've seen 5 performances so far; I need more shows and can't get it out of my head! I was going to write a review but others above have said mostly everything I want to say. And if I try to discuss NB Casanova, I don't think I can be very rational or coherent!! Just a couple of thoughts...I've been madly into live ballet for many years but never in my life have I been so gripped emotionally by a new production as much as I have been by NB's Casanova. IMO everything about this production collides into the most amazing output: choreography, dancers, costumes, musical score, storybook, emotion.....everything. I just love this production and so hope it gets filmed. It's been by far the most exciting new production I have ever seen. Bravi to all those involved in this daring new production. For me, it's utterly sensational.

Just been to Rambert triple in Nottingham. Wow!! Enjoyed both Flight and Hydragyrum: dancing gorgeous. But what I was really there for was Ghost Dances, which I last saw way back in its original run in 1981. Gosh, so emotional. The power of the piece had a profound impact on me when I first saw it as a teenager back then. I went on to become passionate about south American history, politics and music, which will never leave me. Rambert tonight and their musicians delivered something that for me was exceptionally moving and powerful in Ghost Dances. I was moved to tears and Rambert got a standing ovation, which in Nottingham is rare. So so moving. Utterly exceptional work. Bravi Rambert for reviving it. It's even better than I remember. Utterly spellbinding and just emotionally intense. Now need another ticket!!

Saw the show last Saturday matinee. Thought it was s'wonderful !! Loved the music, staging, singing, choreography. Came out on a real high. All cast superb but need to mention I saw Ashley Day as Jerry. He will be doing some shows each week before taking over from Robbie Fairchild. I haven't seen Mr Fairchild in this so comparing not possible. However, going in as a total neutral, I thought Ashley Day was a superb musical theatre all rounder, as in good at everything!!! I've booked to see Fairchild in June. On Sat I was in row P. Not perfect...Tall person in front!! Great show though. Ballet elements just glorious, Wheeldon has done wonders!

Ok, just seen cinema relay of Dancer. Utterly sensational live performance by Sergei of Take Me to Church. Packed cinema here in Nottingham burst into applause after it. The film was incredible. So moving. Just portrayed Polunin as such a talent. Not a bad boy at all. Just an exceptionally gifted dancer.

Where should we post about the premiere of Dancer? Got confused by various forums! Just been to the cinema relay and have so much to say!

Congratulations to all the winners. Particularly pleased about Chase Johnsey!

I saw Ballet Theatre UK's Romeo and Juliet last night in Chesterfield. It was a really enjoyable performance with excellent dancing from the whole cast and clever choreography to accommodate small stages, including fantastic pdd for the star crossed lovers and a large dancing part for Lady Capulet. Simple scenery and taped music of course but great costumes and the emotion really shone through from all the dancers; I was really drawn into the story and shed a few tears at the end. They even managed a full-on sword fight which was excellently accomplished: I always get nervous with swords when there is no orchestra pit in between me and the stage, ever since, many years ago I had a sword land right in the (thankfully empty) seat next to me in the front row after it slipped out of the dancer's hand!! So, I'm really happy to have seen this company for the first time and I'm am really impressed with the standard of the dancing and overall production. I've already booked several more of their shows this season including another R&J tonight in Leicester and also for their Giselle and Alice in the next few months. Chesterfield is one of those places I'd never actually been to until last night, just passed through on a train north. Shame as it is clearly fantastic with lots of medieval buildings. Their delightfully named Pomegranate Theatre is a gorgeous small theatre, with friendly staff, cheap bar, great sight lines from my seat in Row H stalls and literally round the corner from the train station. Plus I got some photos of the famous crooked spire all lit up at night which looked so pretty. So a great night out and Ballet Theatre UK are definitely worth seeing if coming to a venue near you!! I'm looking forward to another R&J tonight in Leicester.

Lovely and fair review Trog. I've booked to see their Swan Lake in Nottingham next month! Look forward to it.

New dates for Red Shoes just announced, including Liverpool, Sheffield and another week in Birmingham!!

Sorry I meant to post it but only got mentioned just before Xmas and I was away for that with no wi-fi for a while. However, plenty of tix!!

Hi Janet. Happy New Year! I think it was a New Adventures FB/Twitter post, although not 100% sure. Anyway, link for that extra week is here: http://www.thelowry.com/event/the-red-shoes1

2016 was an exciting ballet-going year for me, full of great things! It was the year I really shifted from going to shows in London because much as I love the RB, it's just so difficult and expensive for me, once you factor in the (ever increasing) train fares etc. Thanks to this forum and especially Janet McNulty, I have ventured to many new (to me) theatres in 2016 including Bradford, Leeds, Milton Keynes and Bristol. As a non driver, all surprisingly easy to get to on the train!! Top highlights for me included the last performance by BRB's Elisha Willis in The Taming of the Shrew in Bristol in June. Pure brilliance. Far to go geographically for me from Nottingham but a lovely theatre and lots to visit as well in the city, plus a very good hotel deal!! (booked to go to Bristol again for BRB next year!) Other highlights were pretty much everything by BRB, in particular watching certain dancers really shine such as Brandon Lawrence, William Bracewell and too many others to mention. I've also really started to properly get to know Northern Ballet and their current dancers and productions. I adored their version of Swan Lake and their Jane Eyre was utterly superb and so moving. Ballet Black with their fabulous triple bill was also a highlight. 2016 was the first time I'd seen them and most definitely not the last! And of course Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty was touring in 2016. I saw it about 3 times and it was brilliantly magical and moving. Then, Red Shoes opened in the autumn and I saw it in its second week. For me, it was a 2016 highlight seeing it for the first time but I know it's going to keep getting better as the dancers and Sir Matthew keep working on it so I'll maybe save that one for the 2017 round up! I don't much like to talk about 'the worst' because even if one does not enjoy a particular performance, the dancers, choreographer etc all put so much work in. But yes, RB's Frankenstein has very much put me off ever again spending money on something new at ROH......Will stick to cinema or wait until reviews come out!

Quite right. Keep checking for returns as it is pretty much sold out for the whole run. However, for those able to get to Salford Lowry, they have added in an extra week there in July and currently, there are plenty of good tickets available. Also they may add in further extra venues; I have seen a tweet by Matthew Bourne indicating a certain venue being added in June but I won't say more until officially confirmed! I'm starting to feel guilty I have tickets to a total of 8 performances. I feel greedy....!! And lucky in this case

Double ditto on the Matthew Bourne Sleeping Beauty! I also enjoyed the dance sections on the Vienna Concert earlier today; I loved how they showed clips of the dancing to Blue Danube through the decades!

Incredibly sad. One of my music heroes. RIP.

Firstly my sincere apologies for a terrible mistake I made in my post #10 above. My brain is clearly failing me. It was in fact the wonderful Ayami Miyata who danced Beauty in the performance I was talking about while Miki Akuta danced one of the fairies. I can't believe how I could make such an unforgivable mistake. No more reviews naming dancers from me......can't trust my poor brain . So sorry. So anyway. I booked to see Beauty today to see again that same wonderful Beast/Beauty partnership. Went all the way to Leeds, 2 hrs on train and while having a pre show drink in pub had the sad email from Leeds Grand saying the performance was cancelled. As Alice said above, it was high winds causing structural damage to the roof of the theatre. Obviously, safety has to be an absolute priority for any theatre but of course both performers and audience must be very disappointed. Very sad. Oh well, at least nobody was hurt. Long train journey though!.. I won't risk re booking Beauty again but look forward to Casanova in March.