zxDaveM

I have a feeling that people will probably be looking to book Manon after Christmas is done and dusted. Unless it gets overlooked for Swan Lake at that time....

My mistake - for some unfathomable reason I was confusing it with Obsidian Tear. No, I don't know how either...

I do think Yugen has had 2 runs, but happy to be corrected if that not the case

I've found the London->Birmingham-> London routes pretty reliable, timetable wise (I used it last week). Marylebone to Moor St is a nicer journey, and Moor St only 5mins longer walk to the theatre (you pass one of the entrances to New St as you walk). Moor St also definitely easier to exit without getting lost!! It has far fewer platforms so easier to find your service on the way back (the best is when the service from Moor St on platform 3, so getting there earlyish gets you a nice seat - the through train from Snowhill on platform 1 is often a commuter service). Booking a service online 3-5 weeks in advance gets you cheaper tickets, though thanks to competition the routes are amongst the cheapest inter-city routes in the UK. I paid £8 Euston to New St and £14 Moor St to Marylebone on the way back last week

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui Let us hope that is one that's found its way to the 'forget me' pile...

yes for Strapless - no for Multiverse (so far - but that was one of the hugely unpopular ones, so with luck it has sunk without trace, probably aided by covid lockdowns)

Bazinga!

Site was down 15-20mins either side of 8am today (2nd Oct '23). I think Invision took it down to resolve some patchy response times to browsing/posting on the forum. As usual, no explanation was offered, beyond my own guess.

it's already a large caff and cocktail bar, with a theatre attached to the side

once at the page of cast sheets - bookmark it 🙂

I have to disagree. I had a couple of BS albums as a nipper (it was almost compulsory amongst my peers) though hardly a solid fan, veering more towards the prog-rock end of the rock scale. However, BS were/are utterly iconic, whereas those other Birmingham bands were just popular. In some ways I'd love to be more rock/pop music used for ballet scores, but as with anything unique that becomes popular, the spawned 'copycats' would kill off the golden goose (see multiple examples in film, music, TV etc)

yes - it started about 7.35 last night, ending about 9.55. And last night was a drinkies reception and speeches night as well As I was about 6mins early for my train connection, it was inevitably 5-6mins late leaving the station....

For new works, I get the impression that they get two runs within 18-24 months 'in the contract' (that is, the opening run, and then one in the next season or so). This is just me reading between the lines, and experiencing new works and their second runs. They have to be REALLY unpopular not to get that second run or the first run was to commemorate something (the Titian works back in 2012 for example). If they prove to be a hit (e.g. Alice in Wonderland, Woolf Works, Winter's Tale) then we get more than 2 runs. As for Nutcracker at Christmas - that's a gimme surely. Every year I intend to 'only go to a couple' - but once again this year, end up at loads, and cursing I'm missing out on some casts! In fact, I think I'm going to as many 'Nuts' as the other 3 main stage productions put together! That wasn't plan A for sure. But do agree it would be nice for a mixed bill to dilute the numbers a bit, and to add some variety...

Oh - and the programme at eight quid! (two thirds of which are cast/creatives biogs, ads, and begging)

I'm guessing quite a few of the dancers will double up on various roles. One of the joys a few years back, was seeing some of my favourite dancers turning up in the demi-soloist/solist roles in almost every performance I went to. Nowadays, as they are Principals, get to see them dance a lot, lot less sadly. Price of their fame and success to us punters.

Yes, one of my gripes was the music/singing presentation (the orchestra being mic'd up). A solo violin seemingly coming from above the first circle (me in the second circle) for example. My guess is that with the chorus at the back of the stage, they, and the orchestra, were mic'd in order that the sound could be mixed and so balanced. Didn't work for me to be honest - sounded like a CD through a so-so hifi system. The other gripe was the late start (again! - both shows I went to for Alvin Ailey also started 8-9 mins late), the extended intervals (c'mon 'great and good', quaff these freebie glasses of plonk a bit sharpish!) meant I missed my train I had hoped to be catching by 5 mins, which was irritating. Oh - and no cast sheets is still an irritation - a photo of one on the wall not the same (especially as they still say you can vote for the people's dancer on the back!!!) As for the actual dancing: well, as others have said a bit of a curate's egg of a bill. 'Theme' was beautiful to watch, without ever being exhaustingly thrilling as it can be. Still hugely enjoyable though. Can't say I enjoyed Les Noces much at all, despite all the frantic efforts going on, often to puzzling effect - especially with 'no wedding'! I really enjoyed Four Last Songs (especially the three last songs, so to speak). I really liked the way the couples varied the lifts and then drifted into beautiful diagonals, with each dancer casting gorgeous 'shapes' either in unison or uniquely. I found the overall effect quite moving. Seeing it again Tuesday, so hoping I'll get more out of Les Noces, but even if I don't will look forward to the other two works - all the more so if they run to time!

try in public booking in early October - you may be lucky

sounds like you're their perfect customer! 😉

it's easy enough to switch them off

think they last 30 days

Good question. When initially announced there was a 'filming' tag on the relevant page (so it went in the diary as such) - but that tag disappeared. BUT - the tag is back, so looks like it IS being streamed (crossed fingers)

Same costumes, very similar choreography (maybe even lifted straight from 'Untitled') - but definitely not the same music. As for the annoying cutaways, I suppose as Vogue a fashion mag, they felt it fair to show the fashionistas at their 'do'. Though hard to describe Brian Cox as a fashionista (the actor in this case - though I doubt the physicist is either!). Apart from him, I think I recognised 2 other 'famous' people....

keep an eye out nearer the time - they often release batches of tickets that aren't taken up by groups they are reserved for

its what the record function is for - you can then watch at leisure, or when they showing Andre Rieu (again!)

Yes, my hedge is alive with Ivy Miner Bees at the moment, as the ivy in full flower. Industrious wee critters, and harmless I also get a variety of miner bees in Spring, when the Leafcutter Bees take wee circular sections out of the leaves on my rose bushes!