capybara Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 I have a feeling that quite a few of us saw the Hamilton/Kish rehearsal and, perhaps partly because of that, will not be going to their actual performances. Unfortunately, it is not appropriate to comment on rehearsals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 2 hours ago, ninamargaret said: Do Companies employ the equivalent of a producer to help dancers 'act' their roles or do we just have even more talented dancers than I thought we had? I believe Nicholas Hytner was bought in to do sessions when Winter's Tale was first out on - is this something that sometimes happens? IIRC, Hytner and some actors were brought in to help the dancers understand the text, because before they had struggled with it. I don't think there was any help given with their acting, as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macmillan Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 I may have mentioned this before in a similar context. Away back in the time of the ROH's 12-strong Opera Ballet, it was decided that the dancers should have acting lessons. So they duly turned up in the Crush Bar one morning to find that their tutor was John Gielgud, and I hear it all went very well. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthE Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, capybara said: I have a feeling that quite a few of us saw the Hamilton/Kish rehearsal and, perhaps partly because of that, will not be going to their actual performances. Unfortunately, it is not appropriate to comment on rehearsals. I haven’t seen either rehearsal or performance by this cast, and hope it isn’t inappropriate to pass comment as follows: Last night I spoke to a number of people who attended the rehearsal and, as a result, almost returned their tickets for yesterday’s matinee, but unanimously expressed their opinion that they were very glad they didn’t. More detailed comments were made, but those, I feel, would not be appropriate to share in the context of one of the subject matters being a rehearsal. Suffice to say that on the basis of the detailed reports I heard of yesterday’s matinee, I am seriously considering trying to get a ticket for the second Hamilton/Kish performance. Even though I’m general I am a fan of neither Hamilton nor Kish. Edited April 20, 2018 by RuthE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninamargaret Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 3 hours ago, alison said: IIRC, Hytner and some actors were brought in to help the dancers understand the text, because before they had struggled with it. I don't think there was any help given with their acting, as such. I remember the Insight when this was mentioned, and I agree that the main reason for his visit was, as you say, to help with the play itself which is certainly complex. But I feel sure that work of this kind is probably more helpful to the dancers, and that they don't need actual help with how to act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petunia Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 I was at the Hamilton / Kish Matinee as well as at the Hayward / Bonelli evening performance and I must say you Londoners are terribly spoiled (spoilt?). Yes, at the beginning Kish didn't convince me in his solo, also the music was much too slow but they were quite fabulous in the second bedroom scene (when she doesn't want to leave all the nice things behind), and Hamilton's dives in the second Act were thrilling. I think they both went for it, and they were building it up to the end. In my opinion Zucchetti is the best Lescaut, he was a proper villain, and dangerous even when funny. He also doesn't overplay the drunk scene. You always feel he's on the verge of getting really violent. He's more than a little scoundrel and a jester and therefore his death was truly shocking. Also Bennet Gartside was a veraciously disgusting GM and I enjoyed the performance very much! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 Sounds as though I may have gone to the wrong matinee on Thursday I do remember liking Hamilton's Manon a lot last time she danced it, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 Interestingly, neither Melissa Hamilton nor Nehemiah Kish is cast for The Nutcracker. Maybe they will dance in the parallel programme or.........? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 Not in the main roles, anyway. Hamilton did do the Rose Fairy (and possibly other things) last Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 My pic from a really enjoyable first ever trip to the Royal Opera House on Thursday evening 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanR Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 13 minutes ago, Rob S said: My pic from a really enjoyable first ever trip to the Royal Opera House on Thursday evening Fabulous photo, Rob. Hope you enjoyed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 (edited) Thank you, a few more...I'm happy with the composition but not the image quality from the iPhone, far too noisy Edited April 21, 2018 by Rob S 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Newcombe Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 2 hours ago, alison said: Not in the main roles, anyway. Hamilton did do the Rose Fairy (and possibly other things) last Christmas. She danced the Sugar Plum Fairy in January this year. A lot more zip than in her pre-sabbatical performances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Just a quick warning to anyone who might be planning to get about in London by Jubilee Line later today. It is currently out of action because of a power failure. I have no idea how long it will last, but because the whole line is out, there may be quite lengthy disruption later on. Just a quick warning for anybody who might be going to the ROH this evening, and were thinking of coming in early for some reason. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Thanks Fonty....very kind of you to warn us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Back from Lamb/Muntagirov Manon, with Hirano as Lescaut, Mendizabal as Lescaut's Mistress and Avis as Monsieur G.M. A magnificent, heartbreaking performance. Muntagirov danced throughout most beautifully, making the choreography breathe and grow and endowing every step with love, yearning, passion and purity whilst retaining a perfect classical line and conveying every nuance of the story with complete brilliance. Lamb was stunning too - this time, I understood Manon's behaviour and empathised with her situation almost from the outset. With Des Grieux, she suddenly became so aware of her power and sexuality that she thought she could control what was happening - that she could use Monsieur G.M. and then return to the ecstasy of being with Des Grieux. She was naïve rather than amoral; greedy rather than evil. And during his first solo, she devoured Des Grieux with her eyes as he leapt and turned and danced his love for her. Her behaviour with Monsieur G.M. was nothing but a dangerous game, that proved to be fatal. And Hirano - what an incredible Lescaut! This time, I did laugh at the drunken solo, and he made me interested in the character and dominated the stage with his presence. I found his death very shocking and tragic. A flawed character who overreached himself and paid the ultimate price; just like his sister. And Mendizabal was excellent as his Mistress, and very amusing in the pas de deux. I could hardly bear the end. How could this have happened, and to this Des Grieux?! Who wanted only to love and care for Manon, and who was instead betrayed and bereaved. And to Manon, this lovely young girl who misunderstood everything. Such a terrible, tragic waste. Really quite traumatic. And all conveyed through dance of the highest possible quality. 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Oh, bridiem, your review captures absolutely the wonder of tonight's performance. Thank you! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 I agree with every beautiful word you wrote, Bridie. A magnificent performance all round. Hirano was a revelation as Lescaut and after one performance already rates as one of the best I've seen. I really hope he gets a crack at Rudolf next season. Mendizabal was the perfect foil for him, and Avis made me shudder with his evil, sleazy GM. Lamb and Muntagirov turned in two stunning performances and took my breath away. All four of their pdd tore at different emotions and I felt wrung out at the end. I am so glad this was committed to film. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balletfanp Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 I can't really add much to the reviews above. This surely has to be Lamb's best role? That perfectly conveyed mix of innocence, knowingness, and cunning - plus wonderfully assured dancing. And Muntagirov was just heartbreakingly wonderful. The performance was so intense I felt almost battered at the end. Everyone was fantastic and the drunk dance was very funny but not overdone - just totally convincing (not that I would know anything about being drunk, of course! 😉). But Muntagirov's passion and beautiful lyrical dancing (the way he uses his hands and arms conveys so much emotion - how does he do it?) will stay with me for a long time. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Many thanks bridiem and others - you've certainly whetted my appetite for next week's cinema relay. The casting for the Autumn was published a couple of weeks ago and Hirano is dancing Rudolph so Sim should be pleased. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Wall Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Agree with all above about last night. Simply sublime .... and a very quick shout out for James Hay's exquisitely acted and danced Chief Beggar. The total package a gift 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petunia Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 What a lovely, lively review, bridiem! I've already bought my ticket for the cinema broadcast, can't wait! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Thanks JohnS....not sure how I missed that, especially as I had already looked at the casting for Mayerling! Either a senior moment or it just slipped my notice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 Not sure if anyone has posted this, but worth another look if they have. It's from a rehearsal of Manon's Act I pdd with Sarah and Vadim which was live-streamed on Facebook on the day of their performance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 Ugh. Another one of those blasted things on Facebook that you have to sign in for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 10 minutes ago, alison said: Ugh. Another one of those blasted things on Facebook that you have to sign in for I am not a member of Facebook and for something like this I just press the 'Not Now' button underneath 'sign-in'. Have just watched this (lovely!) with no problem. Hope that might help. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 Off to see Takada's Manon debut this evening, with Campbell debuting as Des Grieux. Can't wait ! It will be fascinating to see yet another interpretation of this seductive ballet.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 And not forgetting James Hay''s debut as Lescaut! Can't wait! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninamargaret Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 seeing this cast next week. Wish it was tonight!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 Unfortunately I'm having to miss the performance. I was just about to set off from Cumbria this morning when I noticed water dripping from the bathroom light! Emergency plumbing required and a tiny split identified in one of the cold water tanks. Good job I noticed or I might have come home to disaster but very disappointed to miss this cast and special debuts - I'd picked up a fabulous ticket just a couple of weeks ago which not surprisingly the Box Office have managed to resell. I shall look forward very much to reading your posts. Sadly I don't think I can get to the second performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 JohnS so sorry to hear this. I don't suppose it will help you to hear that you missed a fantastic debut performance by Takada and Campbell - just a brilliant, fortuitous partnership. Will try to be more cogent tomorrow ..... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 James Hay was a superb Lescaut... 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Wall Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 (edited) 1 minute ago, Mary said: James Hay was a superb Lescaut... Totally mesmerising. .... and, oh, how those eyes can snarl swarm, knot, wink, guffaw and presume ... all at one and the same time. Edited April 28, 2018 by Bruce Wall 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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