zxDaveM

Looks like it's Tuesdays at 10.35pm (unless you're viewing in Wales, in which case it's on at 11.05pm).

http://www.radiotime...me/dqsh/imagine

 

edited to add that it looks like the Titian episode will be scheduled for Tuesday 24th July.

Thanks - most helpful

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.

when do these programs tranmit? Anyone know (time/day of the week)

thanks DQF. It was a lovely shoot - nice bright light! :-)

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

I'm delighted to hear confirmation that Zenaida is back - so the prospect of seeing her on Wednesday, together with 'Les Noces,' a ballet of special distinction for me, is compelling.

back, and in tip-top form!

seems fine now...

 

However there was one serious error in my view. There was not one male ballet dancer. I longed for someone like Acosta or McRae to sail over the top of Flawless and show that its not just girls who perform Ballet and that male ballet dancers are pretty impressive too. The only time Ballet was performed by Flawless was to send it up- although they were funny it was sending a message to a young audience that only girls do Ballet ,boys do street.

 

Good point, and one I hope they do take on board.

It's nice to see the photographs, Dave. The Orangery is the most beautiful place (I've had morning coffee there!). It's interesting to see Ivan Putrov there. I wonder whether he is planning to do something with ENB.

Thanks Aileen. As for Ivan - think he's just friends with some of the dancers there (my guess!)

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

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Set on Flickr of ENB's Summer Party

Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

 

A review by Jann Parry.

...and some lovely Bill Cooper photos too!

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that ALL Company dancers were involved and all would perform in Metamorphosis?

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)

Linda, who danced the four kings last night? We have tickets for next Wednesday, same cast, but don't know who the kings will be. I do wish the ROH would announce more than just the lead dancers!

 

Thanks

 

Anne

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.

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.

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.

Jane: Many thanks, and good advice for the future, as I'd been trying to gain access via DanceTabs, to no avail. In any event, I see that there was, indeed, a discussion on that flash of white, and on all kind of other incidentals, too. (116 posts in two threads!)

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.

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).

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!

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

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Set on Flickr of Flawless/ENB's Against Time

Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

If that's the case, I am wondering... who is not able to dance this role and will be "replaced"?

Lauren Cuthbertson sadly hasn't done any of her Ballo della Regina shows this week, so could miss Pagodas too...

The evening consisted of:

 

3) a rehearsal of the final act pdd with Jonny Cope teaching Beatriz Stix-Brunell the steps along with Ryoichi Hirano who was already familiar with the piece. [Although nothing was said, there was a feeling in the air that one if not both of them could well feature as the second cast.]

 

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...

I love La Sylphide, and like other posters, am very surprised its not completely sold out (especially with the delicious aperitif of Ballo della Regina). Perhaps the lack of marketing for it (I didn't see any posters or anything - when compared to Pagodas anyway, which seems to be everywhere I look), perhaps the ticket pricing pitched a little high? Whatever, I'm certainly very glad to be seeing it myself. Johna Kobborg has spread the joy around when he did the casting, providing us with an interesting mix of debuts and experience, often at the same performance. Can't say any of the dancers have let him down, that's for sure. Looking forward, we still have Sarah Lamb as The Sylph (who I really like last time), and of course, I will FINALLY get to see Johan himself dancing James, which I hve been anticipating since the castings were first announced, many months ago.

Steven looks really good in these photographs with his red hair and crimson kilt and jacket. Unfortunately, I won't be seeing him, but I'm very happy to see Johan in the role with Alina.

You can't go wrong with that combo! :-)

Lovely photographs, Dave. I'm seeing it in June. I'd like to see a second cast if I can get a good deal on a ticket.

Thanks Aileen - Ballo was a joy to photograph, and is a joy to watch. La Sylphide one of my faves, its a glorious ballet - i'm sure whichever cast you see, you'll have a marvelous evening

Royal Ballet's double bill for May 2012 - Ballo della regina/La Sylphide - starts this evening.

Here are a couple of pics to whet the appetite. :-)

Royal Ballet - La Sylphide (Steven McRae as James, with Alina Cojocaru as The Sylph

© Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

Royal Ballet - Ballo della regina (Marianela Nunez and Nehemiah Kish

© Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

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Set on Flickr of The Royal Ballet's double bill

Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr