zxDaveM

yes, lots of people have said the same thing - but ROH say they are catering for those that want both or so i've heard (Friends at least get that - a day for each type of fan, if not much else)

I was pretty lucky this time round - managed to get on in a reasonable time, got the tix i wanted for Titian, and any ol' thing for most everything else, but at least they were affordable tickets, which is cool.

I did go to see Ballets russes (programme 2) but don't feel able to comment on it as I don't feel in any shape or form expert enough to pass comment....except to say I loved it and was entranced by how precise the corps de ballet was. It was beautiful.

 

Sounds like you enjoyed it, and saying so is fair enough! :-)

I am curious as to how Carbon Life would be performed in the future. Can the songs be sung by anyone, given that Boy George and the others are not likely to be able to commit to future performances?

 

To my mind, the only irreplacable musician/singer would be Alison Mosshart (and not just because I'm a fan). Hers was the most 'interactive' (with the dancers, prowling about the back of the stage) and also the largest contribution, and with the most unique voice.

I think that the booster cushions are no longer available, but she should be fine without.

Yes, should be fine without, but they do still provide those sqeaky cushions should you need them

I was in C77 the other night (which is 'restricted' due to a pillar that you can easily see around). The view is fine, as the are only 2 rows in front of you, and the rake is quite good for those rows. Unless your offspring are v young (and so small) and there is a large person in front, should be fine

Some photos from the latest Royal Ballet triple bill - Polyphonia, Sweet Violets and Carbon Life:

Polyphonia - Sarah Lamb & Johannes Stepanek

© Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

Alexander Cambell and Bennet Gartside in Sweet Violets

© Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

Olivia Cowley & Edward Watson (with Alison Mosshart)

© Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

See more...

Dave Morgan's Royal Ballet triple bill, a set on Flickr

Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

Yasmine's solo - Wonderful!

That's not to say that Beatriz' solo was any less beautiful.

There were both superb weren't they. Hope they don't have to continually 'compete' for the same roles though - like to see more of both of them

 

The reviews this week of the Eifman and the RB triple bill all make me want to see both, to make my own mind up. Having reviews so polarised between loving and hating the triple bill just make this more the case.

Yes, indeed, definitely worth seeing the triple bill and make up your own mind. That it is polarising opinion, makes it vibrantly discussion worthy - so if you make it to a show, do post up what you thought, good or bad.

Put Symphony in C at the end of every triple!!! :-)

(and a viewing of that should be national curriculum!)

its ever thus, Aileen. My 'reviews' are always superficial (because I'm not a professional for a start), simply because I usually only ever comment on things I have really liked. Like you, I do sometimes wonder if the pro critics were at the same performance as me though - and as for errors, well, we all make them, but you'd think they'd check and recheck, before going to press, wouldn't you.

I think many of us read certain critics, not because we particularly ever agree with them, but enjoy their writing. Or, occasionally, you do find someone in tune with your own views, so tend to value their opinions more. There are some I would only ever be tempted to go see something they hated, as I'd probably enjoy it! :-)

 

Annamak: "From the second cast at the rehearsal I have to say Yasmine Naghdi danced the girls solo exquisitely, she's a must see.

 

I fully agree. Yasmine Naghdi (partnered with James Hay in "Polyphonia") really blew me away at the General yesterday with her exquisite dancing and her precise, wonderfully controlled technic. She "speaks" with her arms and the lines she creates are simply stunning (she had the same effect on me when I saw her dance McMillan's Concerto-2nd Movement in Birmingham, a few years ago). For a young dancer - who is "only" an Artist- she was in full command of the Stage. I couldn't take my eyes of her and I hope we soon get to see more of her. I'll be watching her cast again next week

I'll be thirding that! Its a shame her solo (when we saw her in the rehearsal that is) was so darkly lit, even in comparison to the rest of the piece, or I'd have gotten some super photos...

I could see that aspects of the costumes created some arresting images, particularly the skirts but I HATED the boots and the masks !

 

 

I generally hate masks full stop - but these seemd in keeping with the theme, so not totally horrid in my eyes. Better without them I'd agree. Loved the dodecahedral-like tutus though!

So tell us more - what did you think, Dave?

I'm more than probably in the tiny minority on this one - but I really loved the new McGregor, Carbon Life. Always had been hoping that someone would do ballet to rock, rather than bleeps and tweeps, or the more usual 'classical' music. Its more my sort of thing. The first song (behind the gauze) was fun - though impossible to photograph! - but the second song was just fab. Sorta like the opening of the Capulet Ball, but at the on trend nightclub and I am a big fan of Alison Mosshart (the singer), so result for me. Other parts i liked in it were the Sarah Lamb - Steven McRae duet, the Ed Watson and Olivia Cowley one, and Ed and Eric Underwood 'duet' in the black carbon crystalline outfits.

Perhaps expecting too much after the clips we saw on the RB YouTube day, I found the new Liam Scarlett piece a little disappointing. That's not to say I didn't like it, and perhaps subsequent viewings will burn it more into my soul. Really liked the opening and closing sequences (which we have seen on afore mentioned youtube viewings, and at the master class), and the 'in the wings' of the theatre sequence, but some of the other scenes seemed a bit muddled, or rushed through. Constrictions of the music (which was fab) I guess.

Polyphonia is a piece i really like anyway - even if a couple of the Ligeti sections are a bit frantically untuneful and lend the dancing the same frantic quality.

Its a bill i'm looking forward to seeing again several times

some pics,

 

 

 

See more...

Dave Morgan's Eifman Ballet, a set on Flickr

Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

more Eifman are in fact here:

See more...

Dave Morgan's Eifman Ballet, a set on Flickr

Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

Were the two new ballets truly as dispiriting from an artistic perspective as the Arts Desk review suggests?

no

some pics, more to follow....

Eifman Ballet at the Coliseum

© Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

Eifman Ballet at the Coliseum

© Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

Eifman Ballet at the Coliseum

© Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

See more...

Dave Morgan's Eifman Ballet, a set on Flickr

Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr

Edit: Link to gallery corrected.

Most of the repertoire of Rambert is abstract short works and when I go to see them at the Lowry the audience is largely young. How does that company attract a younger, and presumably newer, audience? I started going to see Contemporary dance first and then moved on to ballet. Has anyone else followed this route into ballet-watching?

No, I went the other way! :-)

Also purely my own 2p worth - I don't always equate 'new audience' with 'younger audience'. Using myself as an example, I moved on from rock gigs and festivals, to something slightly more sedate (and certainly drier), in my 40's. Perhaps they should be targeting the 35+ age group, rather than the 14+ age group, for that elusive 'new' audience... Yes, its great seeing younger people at the ballet - but a lot of those may have been brought by their parents, rather than their own volition

OK, this is the casting for the photo call. Its not set in stone, as there are often adjustments. This will be 'second cast' (ie not the cast on Thursday evening) - going to be an exciting day!

Polyphonia

Sarah Lamb, Johannes Stepanek, Yasmine Naghdi, James Hay, Yuhui Choe, Ludovic Ondiviela, Samantha Raine, Dawid Trzensimiech.

Sweet Violets

Emily Dimmock - Meaghan Grace Hinkis

Robert Wood – Thomas Whitehead

Mary-Jane Kelly – Laura Morera

Walter Sickert – Bennet Gartside

Annie E.Crook – Leanne Cope

Eddy – Ricardo Cervera

Marie – Marianela Nuñez

Lord Salisbury – Christopher Saunders

Little Dot – Emma Maguire

Jack – Alexander Campbell

Five Women – Jacqueline Clark, Fumi Kaneko, Elsa Godard, Romany Pajdak, Leticia Stock

Five Men – Kevin Emerton, James Hay, Ludovic Ondiviela, Jonathan Watkins, Valentino Zucchetti

Carbon Life

Marianela Nuñez, Ryoichi Hirano, Lauren Cuthbertson, Eric Underwood, Sarah Lamb, Steven McRae, Olivia Cowley, Edward Watson, Melissa Hamilton, Paul Kay, Claire Calvert, Tristan Dyer, Camille Bracher, Johannes Stepanek, Beatriz Stix-Brunell, Ludovic Ondiviela, Yasmine Naghdi, Jonathan Watkins

would they attend a triple bill though...

Does anyone know of newsagent chains stocking Dancing Times - WH Smith used to round here but they don't any more; or is it a case of subscribing?

Place am order with your local newsagent, and they can probably get it in for you. Then either deliver it with your daily paper, or keep it for you in the shop, if you don't get a delivery

 

For those of you who took advantage of the £10 tickets, you certainly got your money’s worth and then some!

 

I haven’t had time to read any press reviews yet so will be interested to see if any agree with me about Programme Two.

yes, almost guiltily for the tenner ticket - and very yes, about Prog 2. It was fab!

ZxDaveM, just for clarification, Daria did dance last night?

Yes, in Apollo, and most magnificently in 'Blanc'

oh - and therewas a lovely flower throw last night too, at the end of Suite en blanc! Dancers looked slightly bewildered, but delighted at the same time

Just had a quick look, and tomorrow's Links will carry at least 6 very enthusiastic reviews of Programme 2. What with that, and the cheap tickets now available, I'm much put out that circumstances prevent my getting to see it! (And it sounds as if Begoña is great in 'Apollo." Aaargh!)

Begona was absolutely scrumptious; and did two roles (last night and tonight she was an unexpected Terpsichore replacing Fernanda Oliveira, whereas the rehearsal (and opening night I assume) Calliope). And for just a tenner! My, my. Whilst this was great for my wallet, as I was in the Stalls tonight (Saturday that is) and Dress Circle before that, as others have said it is sad that such a TERRIFIC bill wasn't more popular.

I love Apollo, and I think the ENB casts i've seen perform it have certainly done it justice. For the vast majority though - it was 'Suite en blanc' that was the crowd pleaser - and I certainly can't blame them, as I loved it too! Especially the Sieste section, 'Cigarette', the pas de deux and 'Flute' - which was utterly marvellously danced tonight by Daria Klimentova (in both, accompanied by Vadim Muntagirov in the pas de deux). Jeux was also enjoyable, though I wasn't keen on the lighting, as the cast seemed to drift in and out of bright or dark (or black) patches. Loved the choregraphy though - and the joke at the end with the returned tennis ball.