Sim Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Wonderful, very moving performance from Iana Salenko tonight. She is a real lady, and portrayed Juliet as the aristocrat that she is. I understand why McRae loves dancing with her: she matches him technically, they look great together and most importantly there is chemistry and empathy between them. A super performance from them both. Alexander Campbell as Mercutio played the death scene such that I have only seen rarely. Sad, angry, tragic, a real sense of waste and of loss. Great stuff and he has confirmed his place as my favourite Mercutio. Great banter and very believable friendship between him, Romeo and Benvolio (Tristan Dyer), which really helps the plot. Lovely dancing from Marcellino Sambe in the Mandolin Dance, too. I wonder why at some performances the mandolin dancers have white paint on their faces but at some they don't? This is the first run that I have seen paintless faces and I like it! Vanartus, I think it's unfair of you to say that Iana has been subjected to 'jingoistic stick' on this forum. People have asked the valid question 'why does the RB have to bring in someone from outside the company to dance with McRae?' It is not to do with nationality nor even defence of the RB. People are just curious as to why a company the size of the RB has to look elsewhere for someone to partner McRae. For me, that question was answered tonight. It is a special partnership. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanartus Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 No it's not unfair to say what I did. There's a rather unsavoury "little England" tone that runs through some comments. They are free to say it. I am free to comment on it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Please give me some examples of 'little England' comments that are unsavoury because I have missed them. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 So, apparently, have I. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 People have asked the valid question 'why does the RB have to bring in someone from outside the company to dance with McRae?' It is not to do with nationality nor even defence of the RB. People are just curious as to why a company the size of the RB has to look elsewhere for someone to partner McRae. ^ This. After all, there are a few Juliets petite enough for him to partner in the company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 It's not just a question of size. There is a lot more to it than that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aileen Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 People would have been asking the same question if a British or British trained dancer had been repeatedly brought in from, say, BRB. It's nothing to do with nationality. I fully expect Salenko to be offered a full principal's contract within the year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 It's not just a question of size. There is a lot more to it than that. Clearly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 ^ This. After all, there are a few Juliets petite enough for him to partner in the company. Talking of petite Juliets, what has happened to Marquez? Is she still with the company? Also, the idea of bringing someone in as a specific partner for one of the other Principals seems at odds with the current policy of not having regular partnerships, and mixing and muddling the male and female Principals each season. I can understand that dancers from another company might do a few guest appearances with one of the Principals, there is nothing wrong with that, and it gives us a chance to see dancers we would not normally get a chance to see. But that is completely different to bringing in an outsider on a permanent contract. Will McRae be able to insist that he dances all his performances with Salenko? Or will this be another case of a dancer being terrific with one partner, but nothing particularly special with another? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Talking of petite Juliets, what has happened to Marquez? Is she still with the company? She is still down to dance Juliet on Dec 2nd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanartus Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Re Salenko/Macrae: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/the-royal-ballets-star-duo-reveal-how-theyve-become-the-best-pairing-in-years-a6711241.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 (edited) Also, the idea of bringing someone in as a specific partner for one of the other Principals seems at odds with the current policy of not having regular partnerships, and mixing and muddling the male and female Principals each season. It does, doesn't it? Aileen, I'm not convinced about the permanent contract. Only in that interview the other day Salenko indicated that she wasn't interested in moving. Edit: Thank you, Vanartus: "She says, with some wistfulness, “I would love to be in the Royal Ballet,” but adds that her family commitments in Berlin would make a wholesale move impossible." Edited November 4, 2015 by alison To add information 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billboyd Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 Will McRae be able to insist that he dances all his performances with Salenko? Or will this be another case of a dancer being terrific with one partner, but nothing particularly special with another? Do any dancers 'insist' on dancing with a particular partner? What do you mean by 'Or, will this be another case of......'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billboyd Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 Also, the idea of bringing someone in as a specific partner for one of the other Principals seems at odds with the current policy of not having regular partnerships, and mixing and muddling the male and female Principals each season. I can understand that dancers from another company might do a few guest appearances with one of the Principals, there is nothing wrong with that, and it gives us a chance to see dancers we would not normally get a chance to see. But that is completely different to bringing in an outsider on a permanent contract. Will McRae be able to insist that he dances all his performances with Salenko? Or will this be another case of a dancer being terrific with one partner, but nothing particularly special with another? These are matters for the Director of the Royal Ballet. I suggest you take them up with him. Speculation on the www is not good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I wasn't speculating, Billboyd, I was asking a question, based on the previous few posts about McRae and Salenko. Do any dancers 'insist' on dancing with a particular partner? What do you mean by 'Or, will this be another case of......'? Simply that some dancers are terrific together, but do not quite gel with others, however talented the individuals might be. I for one would be only too glad to see special partnerships developing, and cannot see anything wrong with two people who are obviously suited by physique and temperament being allowed to dance the bulk of their performances together. Going back to previous opinions expressed here, I would like to see this being encouraged within the company with the up and coming talent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Do any dancers 'insist' on dancing with a particular partner? Well, in one way or another, I'm sure some dancers have in the past, if they have enough clout. Or at least, shall we say, "express a very strong preference" for dancing with a certain partner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLOSS Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 (edited) Vanartus I think that a great deal of this discussion is fueled by knowledge that every year the Royal Ballet recruits a large number of very talented dancers into its ranks at the most junior level but over many years it has failed to make the most of the dancers that it has recruited whatever their country of origin. The current director has said that he wants to build the company from the bottom up and we have seen signs of that happening. At a time when there appears to be some effort being made to bring on some of the junior dancers and the director has said that casting details will be made available at a much later stage of the booking process than has been the case for some years because he wants to be able to take account of their performances during the course of the year it may have seemed to some that bringing Salenko in as a guest was an indication that he was backtracking a little. I think that this sort of discussion is inevitable when such a clearly stated policy may be perceived by some as being put into reverse.Over a period of nearly twenty years the company got out of the habit of developing its own dancers and creating its own stars and became over reliant on the chequebook to solve the problems that were caused by the closure of the house. the threat to the company's existence, and problems at the school. As the company's future is assured and the problems at the school were sorted out by the late director I think that many of those who have posted here may be expecting O'Hare to solve problems caused through illness or injury from within the ranks of the company. Most are simply interested in the director's casting decisions and choice of guest artists.. Edited November 4, 2015 by FLOSS 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billboyd Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 I think that many of those who have posted here may be expecting O'Hare to solve problems caused through illness or injury from within the ranks of the company. Most are simply interested in the director's casting decisions and choice of guest artists.. In which case...ask him. I simply find it a great pity that the day after a guest delivers a superb performance we are faced with the above posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 As the company's future is assured and the problems at the school were sorted out by the late director I think that many of those who have posted here may be expecting O'Hare to solve problems caused through illness or injury from within the ranks of the company. Most are simply interested in the director's casting decisions and choice of guest artists.. Not that injury or illness has anything to do with this particular casting decision - Iana Salenko replaced Osipova in Tchai Pas, but was always scheduled to dance Juliet. Bill, do bear in mind that we don't all have the Director's ear (phone number, email address, ...) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 In which case...ask him. I simply find it a great pity that the day after a guest delivers a superb performance we are faced with the above posts. Its a valid question Bill, irrespective of that guests performance (and as a guest whoever that may be, you'd expect a good showing or they wouldn't get asked back!). Its not the guest's performance in question but the need for that guest in the first place, if the ideal is to nurture emerging talent into the lead roles. Sometimes guests add a breath of fresh air, or act as a stop-gap, either way adding a bit of variety which may be welcome both sides of the orchestra pit. I suppose there is always the danger of someone being given a chance, not quite nailing it first time out and drawing a chorus of disapproval as to their suitability. Then a guest would be a safety net, until such time as the emerging youngsters are up to the job, so to speak. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aileen Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Bill, I find your stock response of 'ask / enquire of / complain to Kevin O'Hare' to legitimate questions and discussions quite tiresome and unproductive. What is the point of this forum if members can't express their opinions, ask questions and, within reasonable limits, speculate about matters pertaining to the ballet companies? 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Well, in one way or another, I'm sure some dancers have in the past, if they have enough clout. Or at least, shall we say, "express a very strong preference" for dancing with a certain partner? I am sure I remember reading that Guillem always wanted to be partnered by Cope? Although that may be because he was the only one tall enough. Now I think about it, he seemed to partner all the tall ladies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I am sure I remember reading that Guillem always wanted to be partnered by Cope? Although that may be because he was the only one tall enough. Now I think about it, he seemed to partner all the tall ladies. Aware this may be getting very off- topic but I am sure his height was not at all the only reason Guillem wanted to dance with the marvellous Cope who had terrific skills as a partner - and I think they are both on record as saying they had a great rapport- indeed I think the audiences and critics thought so too (I did) but I can't give the scholarly citations. Back to R and J, sorry.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Pigeons Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Out of interest, what was Judith Mackrell's list of great Juliets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl H Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 If the 2 people who have so far commented on last night's performance had given bad reviews of Iana Salenko I might understand why we were discussing who else should partner Steven McRae, but they didn't! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelopesimpson Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Bill, I find your stock response of 'ask / enquire of / complain to Kevin O'Hare' to legitimate questions and discussions quite tiresome and unproductive. What is the point of this forum if members can't express their opinions, ask questions and, within reasonable limits, speculate about matters pertaining to the ballet companies? Well said, Aileen. It is irritating and offputting. This is a discussion website. Reminds me of Liaison Dangereuse 'It's beyond my control!' 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 If the 2 people who have so far commented on last night's performance had given bad reviews of Iana Salenko I might understand why we were discussing who else should partner Steven McRae, but they didn't! The quality of Salenko's dancing is not the issue. The discussion relates to the broader theme which has been talked about before, regarding bringing in outside talent. If there was nobody else that could perform Juliet to McRae's Romeo, then I could understand the need to bring in a guest artist. But I don't think that is the case here. Also, McRae doesn't need lots of practise in the role, he has already danced it many times with several different partners. On the other hand, Naghdi and Ball apparently gave a terrific performance when they made their debuts in the roles. Why did they only get the one performance? (I think?) Why not give them two, to give themselves a chance to take advantage of getting over any first night nerves they may have had, and to relax into the roles? Now it may be that the reason is that the current rep means that dancers who could have danced more R & Js were tied up doing other things. Or it was felt that they might be overstretching themselves doing more than one performance. I don't quite see that myself, I would have thought they would have been eager to have another go, but that could be the case. Perhaps Billboyd could ask Mr O'Hare? 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Out of interest, what was Judith Mackrell's list of great Juliets? Lynn Seymour, Alessandra Ferri, Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 On the other hand, Naghdi and Ball apparently gave a terrific performance when they made their debuts in the roles. Why did they only get the one performance? (I think?) Why not give them two, to give themselves a chance to take advantage of getting over any first night nerves they may have had, and to relax into the roles? They did have the schools performance before their 'official' debut, plus the Friends rehearsal (neither of which I could get to sadly). Has to be said though, the official debut was pretty sensational! (so yes, I wish they could have done more too!) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Pigeons Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Lynn Seymour, Alessandra Ferri, Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova. Link Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nina G. Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Lynn Seymour, Alessandra Ferri, Alina Cojocaru, Natalia Osipova. Link Judith Mackrell did not attend the Ball/Naghdi performance of R&J as she herself stated in the "Comments" section. She added Hayward to the possible list of Juliets. Shame she didn't see Naghdi as Juliet! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Shame she didn't see Naghdi as Juliet! Yes, a real shame. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I third that. A real shame indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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