nottsballetlover

It seems didn't get round (at the time) to posting my thoughts on the 2 performances I saw of NB's Beauty and the Beast when they came to Nottingham in early November. They were both superb and I love this production but I recall the cast with Miki Akuta as Beauty and Mlindi Kulashe as Beast as being particularly fabulous. They are both dancers I have really loved watching recently; Mlindi is both a fantastic dancer and powerfully dramatic actor. I was wavering on going to Leeds and having to negotiate packed trains around Christmas but when NB put the casts up yesterday any resistance crumbled! I'm braving the trains on Friday 23 Dec for a chance to see the Akuta/Kulashe partnership again! Beauty and the Beast is a gorgeous and interesting production, suitable for the whole family and a welcome break from all the Nuts at Christmas. I really love the music score as it contains one of my all time favourite pieces, which is the organ concerto by Saint Saens and NB Sinfonia really do the score justice! Roll on Friday

PS. Tip on seating. The Christmas tree in this version is on the left as you look at the stage. To see the transformation at its best, in stalls, be on the right!!

Meant to write up my thoughts on Red Shows sooner but better late that never! I saw both shows at The Lowry last Saturday, so saw both Ashley Shaw & Cordelia Braithwaite as Vicky. Both superb as is the whole cast. At The Lowry there was an orchestra which was fab. Not sure if they will have this at smaller venues on the tour. So, very clever production and lovely choreography. As with all Matthew Bourne's works, there is a LOT going on on stage so at times, it's hard to know where to look. I'm so glad I saw it twice in one day. I enjoyed it much more the second time around!! I was emotionally moved throughout, thought the story telling was excellent, some funny bits, some very moving bits. I know this show will grow and grow. Sir Matthew was in the audience, pen and notebook in hand. I was lucky to be able to have a chat to one of the leading dancers who was in the audience in the evening, having danced the matinee. He said it is still very much a work in progress and all the dancers are refining and developing their characters with each show. Overall I thought sets amazing, choreography fantastic, dancing superb, storytelling powerful. Fabulous show! Roll on Birmingham, Nottm & Leicester where I see it again!

Saw my second BRB Nutcracker this afternoon. Wish I could have seen every performance of this exceptional production. I had a bad seat first time but today was in front row stalls. The magic was incredible. I felt very weepy for some strange reason! Maybe it was the sheer joy of the performance! (or my hormones!!). Clara was beautifully danced by Laura Day. Superb. Cesar Morales was a perfect partner for both her and SPF Miki Mizutani who lit up the stage with her radiance. The whole performance was gorgeous. The other day I watched the Peter Wright version for RB on Sky Arts. For me his BRB version is so much better. I love all the dances in Act 2, especially the Arabian & Flowers. I especially love this version for its Snowflakes dance. Live singers, fabulous. But I really love the male 'consorts' in this. They really lift that particular number. Anyway, buzzing happily after this show.Pure joy.

I saw both performances of The Red Shoes at The Lowry yesterday. Absolutely loved it! Will write more when I am home but it's definitely a Matthew Bourne winner for me!

I was at the opening matinee yesterday and it was utterly magical. I was enthralled throughout by this, for me, the best version of The Nutcracker! The dancing was superb, especially the perfect prince William Bracewell and the bubbling, joyful Clara of Miki Mizutami. Such a gorgeous, entrancing production. All the characters come across so well and the effects are incredible. I still come over all goose pimpled when Clara flies across the stage on the goose!! And the transformation scene is jaw dropping! All the dancers were on such sparkling form that there would be too many to mention. The performance had such a buzz I felt really emotional and like a child again, full of joy! Great playing of the score by RB Sinfonia under the baton of guest conductor Nicolette Fraillon. This production is truly a great gift from Sir Peter Wright, many happy returns to him! Christmas has well and truly arrived and I'd better book now for next year!

I'm so pleased early reports on Red Shoes are so positive. I love Bourne so risked it and booked multiple shows in several venues months ago. His shows sell out so fast!! Anyway, looking forward to double Red Shoes at Lowry on 3 Dec for my first viewing at this show

Hi Katherine. I live in Nottingham and don't drive so use the trains a lot! The London to Nottingham East Midlands Trains service is very reliable, usually bang on time. As LinMM said,any delays or disruption tends to be on weekends, especially Sundays.

What a wonderfully fitting tribute. Jonathan is much missed but forever in my heart as the most special swan. Lovely to have a wonderful dance project in his home town of Northampton in his memory.

My word. Today takes theatre in-seat dining to a new level. Young lady sat next to me in front row at Bristol Hippodrome calmly tucked into smoked salmon salad. The smell of smoked fish was overwhelming. She then proceeded to crack open bag a smelly bag of popcorn. At this point I gave her a withering glare.... popcorn ceased. Aghhh.....

Just a few additional thoughts on last night's Taming of the Shrew. I have time to spare ahead of today's matinee! I think maybe because it was Elisha's last performance, the whole company was on dazzling form. Stunning performances by Iain Mackay, Jenna Roberts, Brandon Lawrence, Chi Cao & Rory Mackay. They all projected immense humour and emotion into a sadly only half full theatre. Also a brilliant performance as both innkeeper and priest by Valenin Olovyannikov. He has grown on me immensely as a really superb dancer/actor over the last season; his Tybalt was the most chilling I've seen in recent years and last night he also showed he can do the humorous roles! Special mention for RB Sinfonia also last night in probably the most bizarre positioning for an orchestra in a ballet I have ever seen. Bristol Hippodrome appears to have no pit?! The orchestra was therefore oddly arranged on the steps that would normally house seating in the rows A to F. For myself and others in the front seating in row G, this gave me an unprecedented view of their world, usually 'down there'!!!! I could literally read the scores, and the players sitting nearby (trombone and percussionist) were very chatty to us all in the interval! They tweeted that for once they could actually sit back and watch the show when not playing. And boy were they glued to this most amazing, special performance!! Nice touch by the orchestra to throw flowers for Elisha at the end. Odd theatre really. Reeks of mould, seems stuck in the 19th century. Except the bar prices, which are higher than ROH!! But I've really enjoyed my mini trip to Bristol, even though it has stretched my limits on 'reasonable travelling distance' from Nottingham. Had some time to explore the harbour this morning on a rare rain free day and lots of beautiful buildings to see. I did walk it to Hippo from train station. Ok walk but needed to keep asking the way as Bristol lacks maps!! Off to TOTS matinee shortly. Then home! Last ballet for me now until 1 October . Weep!!

I'm so pleased I made it to Bristol to see Elisha's last performance. Hammered the credit card with train + overnight stay but worth every penny. I'm currently having a drink by Bristol harbour musing on what a special night it was. Orchestra threw flowers, all the company and orchestra sparkled to give her a very special last show. Brandon Lawrence just tweeted to me that there was not a dry eye in the company by the end of the evening. I wish Elisha all best wishes for her future career. I will miss her dancing.

Words fail. Just saw Taming in Bristol with Elisha Willis dancing her last ever show with BRB. Rapturous applause, mini flower throw, me and quite a few others standing to show our appreciation for this very special dancer. Brava Elisha. Her final ppd was perfection and so moving. Very emotional. All good wishes to Elisha for the future.

I had such a busy week at work, I just didn't get round until now to commenting on BRB's wonderful Shakespeare triple bill. Like Janet, I saw both shows on the Thursday. Both were dazzling casts in what for me was probably the most perfect triple bill I'very seen in many years in terms of how much I enjoyed all 3 pieces and how they were all so different in style but linked so cleverly by the common Shakespeare theme. Bravo BRB: you wow me again and again!

I was at Ballet Black's last performance this season of their Triple Bill. In my home town,great audience, in a small scale venue that made it a very intimate and powerful performance. I don't know why I haven't seen them before but they are are really good! I'll skate over the Pita piece because I found the music excruciating. I couldn't focus on the dance. Sorry! But the next 2 pieces were superb. Chris Marney's To Begin Begin is so beautifully lyrical. The choreography just flowed naturally. It was gorgeous to watch. The final piece is Chris Hampson's Storyville. Really good piece, great narrative. So impressed by the superb 8 dancers that make up this very exciting company. Bravo!

Ditto. Hope it's back soon. I saw the same Torres/Bateman cast on Saturday night that Janet has described above. It was emotionally gripping,really powerful. Superb production by NB!

I worked in Prague 2000 to 2002 and saw Czech National Ballet about 3 times a week! I think it was in 2001 Makarova came in to bring them the Maryinsky version. It was stunning and I was lucky enough to be at the premiere when Makarova came on to do a curtain call.

Cavycapers. Regarding the ticket sales. Yes they are shockingly low. I've been watching this in last few days so hope they will pick up. Similar to my home town of Nottingham, once BRB arrives in town and does local TV & radio, sales pick up. So hope this happens.

Cavycapers & Alison. Thx do much for your info. I've booked Prem Inn Haymarket. Will take on board your advice on walking, although I do love a fast walk!! Many thanks

Bristol all booked for Elisha's last performance with BRB!

Happily have arrived safely in Leicester with time to spare. Thank you trains! It was a sparkling, superb performance by BRB this afternoon in Birmingham. I find the storyline of Shrew uncomfortable in terms of how it portrays relationships, but am prepared to ignore that and focus on the incredible dancing. Cranko's choreography really is sensational, especially the pdd & lifts. Iain Mackay and Elisha Willis were dazzlingly vibrant as Patricio & Katerina. Jenna Roberts and Brandon Lawrence stunning as the other main pair plus Chi and Rory Mackay brilliantly entertaining as the other 2 suitors. Superb dancing all round. Very tempted to take a trip to Bristol to see the same cast on Friday 1 July. I think that may br Elisha's last performance before she retires from BRB. She was sensational today and such a rapport with Iain Mackay, they were a dream pairing today. I've not been to Bristol before but currently due to low ticket sales for BRB's shows van much have my pick of tickets! I so hope sales pick up because I would hate for people to miss out on seeing this Cranko ballet danced so well and to see Elisha before she retires. If anyone has any advice on Bristol Hippo, hotels near, can you walk to it from station please let me know. Need to get onto hotel sites tonight once I'm back home from Jane Eyre in Leicester.

Fabulous photos! Have just arrived in Brum for today's matinee of Shrew. If trains go to plan, I will follow this with NB Jane Eyre in Leicester tonight. Please trains! Be good to me

Lauretta Sommerscales was superb this afternoon! As was whole show. Will write more tomorrow as it's been a long hot day in London! Dozing on train back to Nottingham Worth it though!

Congratulations and many good wishes to Chris Marney in his new role. Hope he continues to perform: I saw him in Bourne's Sleeping Beauty last Saturday as Lilac & he was superb!

Saw Bourne's SB last weekend in Nottingham. For me it gets better with each viewing & glad I've booked one more in Sheffield. Sat right at front which made it possible to see every eyelid flicker! Stand out performer for me was Liam Mower as Carabosse/Caradoc. Utterly mesmerizing, superbly danced and acted. It's been wonderful to watch Liam grow as a performer and take on leading roles in Bourne's works over last few years. I first saw him as The Prince in Swan Lake and he was incredible. Then he took on Ed Scissorhands equally brilliantly. He has always melted my heart in thise roles but with Carabosse, he did mean & terrifying extremely well too!!