Rob S Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 15 minutes ago, MJW said: A whole shop-full of glitter! Well, yesterday's and todays!! I hope he remembers on Wednesday!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmhopton Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 Ive just done a reply to the Mark Monahan Telegraph review. The more I read it the angrier I got about it. I hope I kept to the rules and don't get deleted. I finished with saying I'm glad I've just ended my online subscription if this is the level of ballet reviews in the Telegraph and I'm sure readers would get a much better impression of the performance by reading the Times review. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJW Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 57 minutes ago, jmhopton said: Ive just done a reply to the Mark Monahan Telegraph review. The more I read it the angrier I got about it. I hope I kept to the rules and don't get deleted. I finished with saying I'm glad I've just ended my online subscription if this is the level of ballet reviews in the Telegraph and I'm sure readers would get a much better impression of the performance by reading the Times review. Just read your comment on the T'graph's comment section - I agree entirely. I'm afraid the paper has been going down hill for some time. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmhopton Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 1 hour ago, MJW said: Just read your comment on the T'graph's comment section - I agree entirely. I'm afraid the paper has been going down hill for some time. Thanks MJW. I thought afterwards I'd overdone it. It's good to know it's not just me who feels strongly that the ROH should not be rubbished for trying to protect its workforce and visitors, and to create an environment where people can feel comfortable returning to the theatre. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 10 hours ago, jmhopton said: Ive just done a reply to the Mark Monahan Telegraph review. The more I read it the angrier I got about it. I hope I kept to the rules and don't get deleted. I finished with saying I'm glad I've just ended my online subscription if this is the level of ballet reviews in the Telegraph and I'm sure readers would get a much better impression of the performance by reading the Times review. Thank you, jmhopton. I agree very much with your comments under the review and I've just posted a comment of my own. What a mean-spirited review it was! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmhopton Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 (edited) Thanks bridiem. I thought of a lot more as soon as I'd posted it such as yes, ballet dancers are super fit but they still don't want to risk getting a disease that can leave them with long term breathing problems, not to mention the problems with transmission and widespread isolating that can result from even one dancer catching the virus. It just came over as an incredible petulant, self-centred review as if the performance was all about his enjoyment (or lack of it) and very little if any recognition of all the hard work and planning gone into making it possible at all. I could go on for ever but as soon as I do I find myself getting angry again. Sloooow down and deep breathing..... Think of the wonderful performance that gave pleasure to so many and not one idiot reviewer. Edited December 13, 2020 by jmhopton add information 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 I've just read your comments Joan and agree with every word. I think everyone knows that I am not a fan of this production but A LIVE BALLET in a theatre WITH AN AUDIENCE is something to be celebrated and the carping of the critic is beyond the pale. Bravo Royal Ballet and I envy everyone who is able to go to ROH and see this production. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 I must admit I agree with Janet, not my favourite production. But it is wonderful that they have managed to get it on stage at all! One of the things I have always disliked are the sparkly wigs the SPF and her Cavalier wear. Marco Sambé mentioned them during the Black History Month Insight. When speaking of Afro hair he said that he couldn't see himself being cast in this role in Nutcracker as he couldn't wear the wig. So I am curious to see what will happen! Here is an earlier production which has much to recommend it. Park wear's a beautiful tiara reminscent of a Kokoshnik and Nureyev is bare headed. Merle Park and Nureyev 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmhopton Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 Yes, I'm with you Pas de Quatre about the wigs. Even though I love both Peter Wright Nutcracker productions I do have issues with the wigs. I know they do it to blend in with the sparkly pink/gold sets but I do find it spoils my enjoyment of the grand pas. That's why it was so great to see it performed by Vadim and Marianela so wonderfully in the Ballet Academy production earlier this week dressed just in practice clothes. For the first time I really appreciated the beauty of the pas de deux with no sparkly wigs to irritate me. (I also really dislike the blond wig forced on all Titania's with less justification as there is nothing really to blend in with here.) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 32 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said: One of the things I have always disliked are the sparkly wigs the SPF and her Cavalier wear. Marco Sambé mentioned them during the Black History Month Insight. When speaking of Afro hair he said that he couldn't see himself being cast in this role in Nutcracker as he couldn't wear the wig. So I am curious to see what will happen! I'm sure the wigs department will think of something but I agree that no wig would be better (not just for Mr Sambé ). dancersdiary posted a rehearsal picture a couple days ago of Muntagiorov wigless (and crownless) which I think would look fine with just the crown to define his head outline (and keep the flying hair in place) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fromthebalcony Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 I am so jealous. Truthfully, at this point, I would be willing to watch any professional company's Nutcracker live. I don't think Mr. Monaghan understands the huge undertaking of putting on a live show on stage in the time of covid. The ballet companies here in the states have to follow an inordinate amount of regulations just to be working in the studios on a daily basis, and I have heard the same in the UK. Enjoy your performances, and I pray that you do not go into Tier 3 so that the dancers can continue to dance on stage! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmhopton Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 10 minutes ago, fromthebalcony said: I am so jealous. Truthfully, at this point, I would be willing to watch any professional company's Nutcracker live. I don't think Mr. Monaghan understands the huge undertaking of putting on a live show on stage in the time of covid. The ballet companies here in the states have to follow an inordinate amount of regulations just to be working in the studios on a daily basis, and I have heard the same in the UK. Enjoy your performances, and I pray that you do not go into Tier 3 so that the dancers can continue to dance on stage! I think you're right, from the balcony, when you say Mr Monahan doesn't understand the huge undertaking involved in staging a ballet in these difficult times. But that does rather beg the question as to why he is a professional ballet reviewer when so many non-professional balletgoers do understand the problems and are grateful they have been surmounted. Anyway, enough about him. Let's get back to the real joy of discussing actual live performances. I too am really jealous of those scheduled to sit in a theatre and watch a live performance. However, I'm really looking forward to Dec 19th when I can access the BRB Nutcracker and Dec 22nd when I can do the same with the RB version. Thank goodness for livestreams as I don't know when I'll be going to a London theatre again much as I long to. I hope the RB stream is still able to go ahead even if the London situation changes. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 A few more from Friday, obviously they would've been better if the bar had been open 🙂 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 3 minutes ago, Rob S said: A few more from Friday, obviously they would've been better if the bar had been open 🙂 great pics Rob. Btw that must be why the dancers are so good, because they’ve been at the barre all day 🤣 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 5 minutes ago, Rob S said: A few more from Friday, obviously they would've been better if the bar had been open 🙂 C'mon - where's Muntagirov tripping over the flowers? 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianlond Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 (edited) Regarding the wigs, I just went to check if my memory was deceiving me but no; from the Nutcracker with Miyako Yoshida & Jonathan Cope (I’m not sure what year but have a vague (teenaged!?) memory it was on TV over Christmas & that Johan Kobborg should originally have been the prince) they are *not* wearing gold wigs but rather dark hair/ wigs with glitter sprinkled on. I think it looks rather good (like sparkly icing sugar?). I think that when it was broadcast (??) again with Stephen McRae & Yoshida the blond wigs were back (or were they actually new at that point?) Certainly I think it’s now well past time that blond wigs should be needed/ expected! Sorry for any inaccuracies regarding the spelling of names btw... Lovely pictures 😊 Edited December 13, 2020 by Ianlond 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 3 minutes ago, oncnp said: Today's performance seemed to have gone well..... https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/BWW-Review-THE-NUTCRACKER-Royal-Opera-House-20201213 Just to clarify that that review is of Friday’s performance 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 2 minutes ago, bangorballetboy said: Just to clarify that that review is of Friday’s performance And they were all just as wonderful today. Huge kudos to O’Sullivan, Hay and Calvert who have danced three shows running. The Broadway World reviewer clearly hasn’t registered that O’Sullivan is debuting as the SPF in this very run. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 I have probably mentioned before how much I hate those wigs. In fact, every time the Nutcracker is staged in London! Sugar plums come in all different colours, I don't see what the problem is with natural hair and a dusting of glitter. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 54 minutes ago, capybara said: The Broadway World reviewer clearly hasn’t registered that O’Sullivan is debuting as the SPF in this very run. I think the reviewer has: “Anna-Rose O'Sullivan reprises the role of Clara and will debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy later in the run. As much as we wait for that with great anticipation, her youthful looks, light, buoyant dancing with beautiful lines suit Clara so well, it'll be a shame when she graduates to the prime spot in the cast.” 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silke H Posted December 13, 2020 Author Share Posted December 13, 2020 A fabulous Sunday afternoon performance IG photos Facebook photos 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 I’ve always disliked the blonde wigs too. Thankyou Pas de Quatre for the Park/ Nureyev clip ...lovely. A bit before my ROH going days which started around 1968. But saw Park and Nureyev together a few times though not in Nutcracker. I know the Nutcracker is often seen as a light ballet but the music for it is just so glorious from the pas de deux at end of Act one to Snowflakes with the choir and then this really lovely final pas de deux ...and lots of other delights in between as well! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 1 hour ago, JohnS said: I think the reviewer has: “Anna-Rose O'Sullivan reprises the role of Clara and will debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy later in the run. As much as we wait for that with great anticipation, her youthful looks, light, buoyant dancing with beautiful lines suit Clara so well, it'll be a shame when she graduates to the prime spot in the cast.” There was a typo which has now been sorted! 😁 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Q Fan Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 How many people are allowed in the auditorium now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 One thousand or half capacity of the theatre as long as doesn’t exceed 1000 I think ROH might be just under the 1000 though because of spacing the seats etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmhopton Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 22 minutes ago, Don Q Fan said: How many people are allowed in the auditorium now? 870 according to Mark Monahan (assuming he got that right of course) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candleque Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 3 hours ago, JohnS said: “Anna-Rose O'Sullivan reprises the role of Clara and will debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy later in the run. As much as we wait for that with great anticipation, her youthful looks, light, buoyant dancing with beautiful lines suit Clara so well, it'll be a shame when she graduates to the prime spot in the cast.” I know that the Sugar Plum is a major career milestone for any ballerina, but I agree with the sentiment of the reviewer quoted here. Clara is the better part in my eyes, as it is all her story. And it must be so fun to dance. I'd rather see Francesca Hayward as Clara again than SPF, for example. Just my view. And I'd love to see Mayara Magri as both. What a shame she isn't doing either. Ah well, the Royal Ballet is spoiled for talent, especially the women ✨ ✨ ✨ ps: Also HATE the wigs. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 Unfortunately I can’t read the Telegraph review because I don’t subscribe so only get the first paragraph etc. But am surprised Mark Monahan wouldn’t understand the complexities and problems of putting on a production under the current conditions as isn’t his mother an ex Royal Ballet dancer? I don’t know what he said but perhaps was having an off night or just didn’t enjoy the conditions under which the performance was attended which affected how he felt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 5 minutes ago, LinMM said: Unfortunately I can’t read the Telegraph review because I don’t subscribe so only get the first paragraph etc. But am surprised Mark Monahan wouldn’t understand the complexities and problems of putting on a production under the current conditions as isn’t his mother an ex Royal Ballet dancer? I don’t know what he said but perhaps was having an off night or just didn’t enjoy the conditions under which the performance was attended which affected how he felt. It was also referenced in yesterday's links which may still work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 Surely you can read Telegraph reviews if you log in? I don't have a problem (except when I want to read more than my allotted one or two articles per week). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 I went in via the links here but wouldn’t let me read more than first paragraph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 Which is when you need to log in, in my experience - if you aren't already logged in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivy Lin Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 I dislike the blond wigs too. IMO they don't even look good on white people. They look downright ridiculous on non-white dancers. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now