penelopesimpson Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 Judging by the amount of seats still available, it would seem that I'm not the only one to dislike this ballet. An ambitious number of performances? Marketing might even be glad of the old faithful yet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Q Fan Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 Well I would have gone to see 5 shows but the prices priced me out so I am only seeing 1 just as they wanted..... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelopesimpson Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 I reckon if you hang on in there, there may be some offers in the wind. Nearly all the shows except the Nunez Muntagirov ones have more than 100 seats left. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blossom Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 I rather like Don Q but haven’t seen this production and am quite excited having watched the rehearsal from the last run where Acosta coaches Akane Takada and Vadream. I really like his philosophy about trying to make it more ‘real’ and human. I also have one cheap seat booking- line of view looks clear and thought it was the best ballet to take my boss to (and based on her budget)- she wants to give it a go before she goes on mat leave and I figured the male and female virtuosity solos would be quite compelling in addition to the more classical ‘expected’ dream sequence. Ideally I would have taken her to Manon but wanted to give her the majesty of the ROH vs Coliseum - and Macmillan’s R&J is sadly too close to her due date. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 I have been quite shocked to see that an Osipova performance of Don Q hasn't been an immediate sell-out: it is her signature role after all. All Don Qs are selling slowly, ditto the Scarlett/Ashton double bills. Have R&J, Frankenstein, etc. gone on sale yet and if so, how are they doing? Is the Opera also doing slow business? Any explanations? Is this Brexit jitters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Both were predictable as being slow sellers. I was surprised not to see them appearing in Get Into London Theatre The New Year Sale, but perhaps again that's the new normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 I like this production of Don Q (I think it plays to the RB's strengths) and I like Don Q in general. I don't know if this is because I first saw it (as a newbie ballet watcher) in Russia in 1986. It was at the Mariinsky Theatre with the Mariinsky Ballet and Kitri and Basilio were Altynai Assylmuratova and Faroukh Ruzimatov I have very fond memories of Christopher Gable's production for Northern Ballet too. Daniel de Andrade is still my definitive Basilio. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) 8 hours ago, Blossom said: quite excited having watched the rehearsal from the last run where Acosta coaches Akane Takada and Vadream. This is a beautiful, joyful ballet, with a good combination of humour, pathos, different dancing styles, memorable music, and vivid scenes. It has plenty of opportunities for the dancers to show off their technical expertise, flair, and characterisation, with various good roles to fill, not just Kitri and Basilio (the two principals) but Don Quixote himself, Sancho Panza, Dulcinea, Lorenzo, Gamache, Espada, Mercedes, Amour, and The Queen of the Dryads. I am looking forward very much to seeing Takada with Campbell (twice!) - they should be great together in this - as well as Nunez/Muntagirov, and Magri/Campbell. Also attending the Insight rehearsal - as mentioned by Blossom that was a lovely one in 2015 with Acosta and Takada/Muntagirov (link below) and I would love to see Acosta back again for the forthcoming Insight on 04 Feb (which is fully booked I'm afraid, but is to be filmed). So for any undecided, with still 5 weeks to opening night, I would say grab tickets whilst you can ! Edited January 11, 2019 by Richard LH 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balletfanp Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 I really enjoyed this production last time round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blossom Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 7 hours ago, alison said: Both were predictable as being slow sellers. I was surprised not to see them appearing in Get Into London Theatre The New Year Sale, but perhaps again that's the new normal? The sale only goes up to very early Feb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fashionista Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 8 hours ago, Darlex said: I have been quite shocked to see that an Osipova performance of Don Q hasn't been an immediate sell-out: it is her signature role after all. All Don Qs are selling slowly, ditto the Scarlett/Ashton double bills. Have R&J, Frankenstein, etc. gone on sale yet and if so, how are they doing? Is the Opera also doing slow business? Any explanations? Is this Brexit jitters? I think the ROH is outpricing themselves hence the slow take-up of tickets. R&J is usually a fast seller but plenty of seats still available - I booked as Friends+ and noticed that it is the chepaer seats that have sold. I really do believe the hike in prices is paying for the "Open Up" project - this is ironic as "Open Up" is certainly not taking place as expensive seats are keeping people away !!!! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 9 minutes ago, fashionista said: R&J is usually a fast seller but plenty of seats still available General booking does not open until 30th January and there are still 2½ months until first night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamk Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 There are a lot of performances - a whopping 17 ! I like Don Q but I don't like this production; IMO in trying to make it more real and human, Acosta has sadly managed to make it pretty tedious, it really drags in places, how can you do that to Don Q ? Only the debuts attracted me to buy tickets and now the most exciting of all - Corrales - is off 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JANICEP Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Do you know who is replacing him - as he is still listed for the 30th March?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Vadim Muntagirov is replacing him on the 30th! If you look in the RB casting thread in the Dance News area, there is discussion and information there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 3 hours ago, Blossom said: The sale only goes up to very early Feb. True, although that would still include Two Pigeons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthE Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 I've just posted a comment in response to the cast change notice to alert the website-updater that they haven't updated the production page for Don Q yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElleC Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Personally, I love Don Q. It's one of those joyful, just-sit-back-and-enjoy sort of ballets, and I thoroughly enjoy Acosta's production. I think it's great that we have a version here in the UK, without having to wait for one of the Russian companies to bring it on tour. I feel very sorry for poor Cesar Corrales, who is having a such bad luck with injuries. Hopefully he will make a full recovery and be back on stage soon. With regard to the various cast changes, I'm really happy with all of them. I'm sure Takada/Campbell will be wonderful, and it's nice to have a slightly different cast for the cinema relay. No-one could ever object to Vadim as a replacement, and as for William Bracewell (who has become a firm favourite), if his and Fumi's "White Couple" and their Nutcracker are anything to go by, they will be terrific. I have so much faith that I've just bought a ticket for their second performance (I already had the first!). 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelopesimpson Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 8 hours ago, annamk said: There are a lot of performances - a whopping 17 ! I like Don Q but I don't like this production; IMO in trying to make it more real and human, Acosta has sadly managed to make it pretty tedious, it really drags in places, how can you do that to Don Q ? Only the debuts attracted me to buy tickets and now the most exciting of all - Corrales - is off That's really the point I was making. When the Marinsky brought it to London in 2017 it was the slowest seller and 17 performances seems far too many to me. Okay, I know I am biased because I don't like DQ and I especially don't like the Acosta version but, the amount of shows plus the ticket price hike means ROH may catch a cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Can anyone advise how much would be missed for this production if sitting stalls circle right? I'm not sure whether to get one of the very few £60/£73 SC seats left for the performance I'm looking at going to or if I should cough up an extra £20 for a £93 stalls seat. Or, for that matter, wait & see if there are any offers or better setas returned nearer the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 It's difficult with this particular Don Q as the houses move around a bit. However, I have sat in Row A there and it's not been too bad. Some 'business' takes place out of sight but most of the dancing is visible, IIRC. Seat A100 is available for the Magri/Campbell matinee, I see. Go for it if that's the cast you want to see. (as I think it might be from what you said earlier). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Yes, 30th March matinee is the date I've been looking at (annoyingly, their other date has far more tickets available but I can't make it as ETO is at my local theatre the first week of April so I'm booked up already). Thank you very much for the advice. I've just booked A100. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Delighted for you, Dawnstar. That seat used not to be on the system but it has been loaded up now and is therefore popping up as unsold for a number of performances. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Thanks. I'm hoping I'll be in the liking it camp, as the production seems to divide opinion. How odd! I wonder how the system has managed to do that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Dawnstar said: Thanks. I'm hoping I'll be in the liking it camp, as the production seems to divide opinion. People have different likes and dislikes! Please look after A100 as I will need it for the last night, again Magri/ Campbell! I saw Takada/McRae from there, in Mayerling; it is a great position for being close to the action, at the expense of a little awkwardness in terms of keeping your head towards the right, and potentially missing a few things near the side of the stage -not that I missed anything in Mayerling that I recall. Edited January 11, 2019 by Richard LH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Dawnstar said: How odd! I wonder how the system has managed to do that? When the seats nearer the stage were available, A100 was grouped price-wise with those nearer the stage whereas A99 was grouped with another 5 further away. They seemed to have taken the first group seats 'off sale' while leaving the physical seat still there. Knowledgeable Stalls Circle standers sometimes used it and, also, Ushers would place people there. But, over several years, the ROH has lost £000s by not having that desirable seat on sale. Edited January 11, 2019 by capybara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 There is now just a space above the side of the orchestra pit beyond A100 where seats used to be; I understand the idea is to allow more space for the sound to escape to help avoid damaging the hearing of orchestra members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) 41 minutes ago, capybara said: When the seats nearer the stage were available, A100 was grouped price-wise with those nearer the stage whereas A99 was grouped with another 5 further away. They seemed to have taken the first group seats 'off sale' while leaving the physical seat still there. Knowledgeable Stalls Circle standers sometimes used it and, also, Ushers would place people there. But, over several years, the ROH has lost £000s by not having that desirable seat on sale. 34 minutes ago, Richard LH said: There is now just a space above the side of the orchestra pit beyond A100 where seats used to be; I understand the idea is to allow more space for the sound to escape to help avoid damaging the hearing of orchestra members. I know about the gap for the orchestra pit extension, as I almost always sit side stalls circle when seeing opera at the ROH. However you'd think they would have checked carefully which seats were still physically there when they made the change in the first place! I see that, having "rediscovered" A100, it's now been put in the same price group as A99-inwards so they're evidently trying to make up for the loss of revenue by now selling it at a higher price! 13 hours ago, fashionista said: R&J is usually a fast seller but plenty of seats still available - I booked as Friends+ and noticed that it is the chepaer seats that have sold. I'm not sure if I should view this as promising, in that there will hopefully still be seats left to buy on 30th, or worrying, in that I may not be able to afford any of them! Especially as I'm currently trying to decide which cast to see - Lamb/Muntagirov, Hamilton/Clarke, Hayward/Corrales or Nunez/Clarke. It's so much easier with ROH opera, when you have at most 2 casts to choose from. Edited January 11, 2019 by Dawnstar Added last quote & reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, Dawnstar said: I see that, having "rediscovered" A100, it's now been put in the same price group as A99-inwards so they're evidently trying to make up for the loss of revenue by now selling it at a higher price! I don't think A100 is a worse seat than A99-inwards, so I don't see any reason to price it cheaper. Regarding R & J, there are quite a number of cheaper seats available at present, and I expect there will still be a reasonable choice at kick-off on the 30th. Edited January 12, 2019 by Richard LH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewinelake Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Trying to work out which performance to see. I have a soft spot for Yasmine Naghdi, but the date that's most convenient has Akane Takada.... Both with Sambé. Any views to help us decide?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 1 hour ago, thewinelake said: Trying to work out which performance to see. I have a soft spot for Yasmine Naghdi, but the date that's most convenient has Akane Takada.... Both with Sambé. Any views to help us decide?! I thought Takada was dancing with Campbell and they do of course have the cinema relay which I’m sure will be great. Naghdi/Sambe also looks fabulous although I’m struggling to recall what they’ve danced together - no doubt I’ll kick myself when someone points out what I’ve forgotten! But I think you might be rather spoilt for choices here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xandra Newman Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Yasmine Naghdi danced Mistress in Manon, partnered by Marcelino Sambe. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 16 hours ago, thewinelake said: Trying to work out which performance to see. I have a soft spot for Yasmine Naghdi, but the date that's most convenient has Akane Takada.... Both with Sambé. Any views to help us decide?! Might it be relevant to point out that anything Osipova does is bound to be interesting? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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