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zxDaveM

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  1. zxDaveM
    I'm sure my word in Monica's ear paid dividends, seeing both Yasmine and Beatriz promoted!! (Actually, they were probably already decided when I had that word - just joshing LOL )
  2. zxDaveM
    I had lots of problems. Clicking on some links just produced the page "sorry there is a fault, would you like to report it" (clicking the back button and trying again usually resolved after 2-3 goes). The time left on the basket seemed fairly random, and I managed to time out, losing nearly all my decent tickets. So did in smaller batches - but once the basket decided to lop off the 2 most recent additions, which meant the totals didn't match during the payment process - so it canceled the lot, which was infuriating. And because I'd gotten myself in a tiswas, and the notification mails not forthcoming, wasn't sure whether or not I have now double booked for some shows, whilst missing out on some I meant to book! Mind you, not many tickets left in my fave spots anyway (which is predictable really). So watch out, I'll be on te lookout for spares!! :-)
  3. zxDaveM
    No, I couldn't make any of the shows either, sadly - so if anyone went, a few words of what they thought would be most welcome
  4. zxDaveM
    A new company, driven by Karen Pilkington-Miksa, featuring and nurturing new, young talent, in dancers, choreographers, designers, composers and musicians, convened at the Peacock Theatre recently, for a stellar mixed bill (which included a few guest stars, especially on the Thursday gala show). Here are a couple of tasters: New English Ballet Theatre, perform Jenna Lee's Classical Symphony' © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr New English Ballet Theatre (NEBT) in George Wiliamson's 'Threefold' © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr See more... Set on Flickr - NEBT 'Synergies' Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr
  5. zxDaveM
    Thanks - most helpful
  6. zxDaveM
    I have been enjoying this triple bill enormously, having been lucky enough to see them all. In Birthday Offering I just love the 7 variations for the female dancers - stand outs for me were both the ones Sarah Lamb did (is there nothing that young woman can't do!), Yuhui Choe being as cute as sixpence, and Marianela Nunez precision and sparkle. In the big pdd, Tamara Rojo/Federico Bonelli just gleamed in yellow. Month in the Country was a ballet it took me a while to warm to, but now it must be up there amongst my faves. A perfect distillation of 4 weeks in 44 minutes. Some of the music is just sublime (such as when the boy is 'flying' his kite around the room; or for the big pdd). As Ian said above, Zenaida Yanowski's showing was remarkable, well supported by the ever improving Rupert Pennefather; Alina Cojocaru's was utterly compelling in a different way, very subtle and reigned in - yet at the end of her pdd with Federico Bonelli, with head back in a laws-of-biology defying back-bend, her arm dropped to her side in submission to her yearning - I all but shed a tear. Think you needed to be close up, or zoned in with binoculars to catch it though. As for Les Noces - I really can't do it justice. Superb! Last night the whole cast was on fire, seemingly dancing as one. The arm twist, and drop on the 'clang' towards the end, after the bride and groom retire to the bedchamber, as the tableau 'reset' (for the next wedding?) haunts me even as I type.
  7. zxDaveM
    when do these programs tranmit? Anyone know (time/day of the week)
  8. zxDaveM
    thanks DQF. It was a lovely shoot - nice bright light! :-)
  9. zxDaveM
    Here are some photos from the dress rehearsal - the 'other' cast. Birthday Offering - Thiago Soares & Marianela Nuñez © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr A Month in the Country - Alina Cojocaru & Federico Bonelli © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Les Noces - bride's friends at the wedding feast © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr See more... Set on Flickr RB's mixed bill for early July, 2012 Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr
  10. zxDaveM
    back, and in tip-top form!
  11. zxDaveM
    seems fine now...
  12. zxDaveM
    Good point, and one I hope they do take on board.
  13. zxDaveM
    Thanks Aileen. As for Ivan - think he's just friends with some of the dancers there (my guess!)
  14. zxDaveM
    On Wednesday, 27th June, I was lucky enough to attend ENB's Summer Party at the Orangery, in Kensington Palace's Gardens. We had some dancing, and English sparkly wine, celebrity's donated swan themed paintings to auction - the first 6 lots were done on the night in a live auction - the rest can still be bid for here: http://www.givinglots.co.uk/event/ENBSwanArt Here are some photos of the fun: A swan in the Orangery (Elena Glurdjidze dancing the Dying Swan, in the Lagerfeld/Chanel tutu) © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr co-hosts Wayne Eagling and the lovely Lauren Laverne (the guest auctioneer) © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Max Westwell and Jia Zhang (White Swan pdd) © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr See more... Set on Flickr of ENB's Summer Party Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr
  15. zxDaveM
    ...and some lovely Bill Cooper photos too!
  16. zxDaveM
    Yes, I heard that too - though not all dancers in every piece of course. :-) Most will only be appearing in the one, though some have parts in 2 of the pieces (don't know the who, or in which, sadly)
  17. zxDaveM
    Kings were: North - Andre Uspenski; East - Johanne Stepanek; West - Jonathan Watkins; South - Brian Maloney (replacing injured Ricardo Cervera) Ms Stix-Brunell was again fearlessly impressive last night, even when a prop blindfold couldn't be tied around her eyes, making the Act 2 duet perplexing to those unfamiliar with the plot, she still managed to convey a sense of unseeing the Salamander Prince so he could take the form of her true Prince. And her dancing was just beautiful.
  18. zxDaveM
    Johan's Madge was, as you'd expect, hugely detailed, charismatic and riveting to watch. The character is very hard to pin down and define, and definitely dislikeable for what she is now - witch, yes; 'baddie', most probably; hard done-by, quite possibly. None of the above - another possibility. His playing of her was as a rejected soul from normal society, vengeful, spiteful - but ultimately wracked with doubt, even grief, for the circumstance she set in motion. You really have to know what you're doing to give such a performance. Sarah Lamb was again a Sylph by nature, creating an almost magnetic force around herself which her James (Dawid Trzensimiech) all but bounces her away whenever he tried to approach, as if he were the same polarity. Meaghan Grace Hinkis is a lovely Effie, all enthusiasm and yearning. Valentino Zucchetti a dynamic and ardent Gurn. In the 2nd act, the lead sylphs were a lovely pair in Yasmine Nagdhi and Beatriz Stix-Brunell, two young dancers definitely worth watching out or, in whatever they are cast in.
  19. zxDaveM
    and so on to last night, where we again had Johan Kobborg as James, but this time with partner Alina Cojocaru. Whilst my personal fave Sylph is Sarah Lamb, watching Alina and Johan dance together (in whatever they are performing), even when they don't touch, is like watching one mind in two bodies, and last night no exception. Glorious stuff. Its really sad to think that this may have been the only time we get to see them dance this ballet together - a tragedy in itself. Madge was glorious portayed by the one and only Kristen McNally (is there ANYthing that young woman can't do!!), Effie by the delicious Emma-Jane Maguire, and Gurn by Jose Martin - who we must surmise have been dancing his last show for the RB, as he was pushed to the forefront at curtain call time by the rest of an appreciative and cheering cast. The aperitif of Ballo della Regina was utterly fabulously danced by Marianela Nunez and Nehemiah Kish, as they now realy seem to be relishing and having great fun with the choreography. I do hope they keep this piece in the rep! :-) As I do with La Sylphide - and that they give it more oomph publicity wise next time! People really should see it - it is truly a glorious ballet in my opinion.
  20. zxDaveM
    As I understand it, there was a deliberate decision NOT to do the flash of white this run. Perhaps the staging team thought it brought in too many distractions, but that's just my guess.
  21. zxDaveM
    Prince of the Pagodas is definitely growing on me. Having watched a VHS video a good few years back (not long after getting into ballet), I don't think I ever made it into Act 2 (those darn 'baboons'!!) - but watched it again before the run started, at first to get a feel for it for the dress rehearsal photo call - but found myself actually quite enjoying the pdds and solos. I suppose for me, its my typical response to a MacMillan 3-acter; love the big pdds, struggle with the full stage sections. Both the dress rehearsal, and the opening night were marvelous - Sarah Lamb/Federico Bonelli and Marianela Nunez/Nehemiah Kish were all on tip-top form. However, last night seeing Beatriz Stix-Brunell and Ryoichi Hirano dancing the lead roles, brought the extra dazzle of freshness and youth to the roles. Beatriz was simply Darcey reincarnated - it really looked as if the role made on her, a seemingly nerveless command of the stage, which for a debut in such a demanding role, was nothing short of astonishing. We thought a star is born after 'Alice' - this confirms it. Her myriad of bouquets at the end were well warranted. Not only was her dancing exceptional, but also her acting nuances - concern for her doddery father or the Salamander Prince, the expressions of joy when things worked out for a happy ending, were spot on. Itziar Mendizibal (another Spanish villainess!) was lusciously wicked as Epine, seeming to relish the chewing up of the 'Kings' trying to court her, also added a fizzle to the evening. Almost goes without saying with Barry Wordsworth in the pit, the orchestra have been playing wonderfully, the Balinese style percussive music (especially for the Salamander Prince's appearances) has been intoxicating - I was one of the doubters for the score at first, but its now getting under my skin. Will look forward to seeing it again, with any of the casts - but will be looking forward to seeing more of Ms Stix-Brunell in particular (in whatever role).
  22. zxDaveM
    I finally got to see Johan Kobborg dancing James the other night - and was certainly not disappointed. I really like Johan's dancing whatever he's doing, so had been somewhat bereft when he couldn't do previous runs through injury. This made up for all that. Good as many of the other James' have been, you can see their root source of their performances in the master. The speedy, dazzling feet, the seemingly effortless grace, he appears born to the role. Which of course he is! The Sylph was Sarah Lamb, who is also my favourite Sylph - her whole physical being, from the pale, blonde complexion, to the slight and slender frame, embody the term 'sylph-like'. Her dancing is sublime, and the expressions of glee, of sadness, and the mischievous glint in her eye as she steals James away, are nigh on perfect to my mind - and no one does 'happy Sylph' quite like Sarah! Effie was another debut, for Meaghan Grace Hinkis, who gave us another wonderful performance. Her sad little face at the end of Act 1 as she realised James had run out of the wedding, almost made me get up on the stage to give her a hug! The gorgeous section in Act 2 where all the Syphs dance for Dance, was superbly led by Claire Calvert (with some lovely dancing as lead Sylphs by Yasmine Naghdi (another young dancer seemingly going places) and Elizabeth Harrod). Genesia Rosato was a flawless Madge, all malevolence and spite, and yet somehow giving us a sense of brokeness. Her forlorn expression over James body as the curtain fell, kept the audience in a spellbound silence for a moment or two, as the tradegy was absorbed. As you may have guessed, this is a ballet I simply love, and seeing it danced this well, an utter joy. The sets are just perfect, the orchestra played well (under Daniel Capps) making for a near perfect out. Oh, and having the delightful aperitif of Ballo della Regina (with a marvelous Laura Morera and Federico Bonelli in the leads) certainly helped the evening off to a flying start. Joy, joy!
  23. zxDaveM
    The two companies collaborated to create 'Against Time'. A fun piece, and an entertaining evening now on tour... (see ENB website) Alison McWhinney and Leroy Dias dos Santos (of ENB and Flawless) © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Gem Choi as Pierrot Doll © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Detention! © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr See more... Set on Flickr of Flawless/ENB's Against Time Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr
  24. zxDaveM
    Lauren Cuthbertson sadly hasn't done any of her Ballo della Regina shows this week, so could miss Pagodas too...
  25. zxDaveM
    Whilst wishing no ill on others, it would be a stunningly brilliant move to see Beatriz Stix-Brunell get the nod, should any of the original cast not be able to dance the lead role. Just my opinion of course...
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