Dawnstar Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 55 minutes ago, Rob S said: the Tuesday 7th Dec matinee will be for schools (so the general public miss Tierny Heap as SPF ☹️ ) I find it infuriating when the ROH do that. I still haven't forgiven them for me not being able to see Melissa Hamilton in the last run of Manon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Dawnstar said: I find it infuriating when the ROH do that. I still haven't forgiven them for me not being able to see Melissa Hamilton in the last run of Manon. I don’t think it’s the ROH who ‘do that’. Kevin O’Hare will have his own reasons for giving dancers a family or schools matinee. For example, there have been many occasions when a dancer new to a role has been cast in that way prior to an official debut. Edited July 28, 2021 by capybara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 16 hours ago, capybara said: I don’t think it’s the ROH who ‘do that’. Kevin O’Hare will have his own reasons for giving dancers a family or schools matinee. For example, there have been many occasions when a dancer new to a role has been cast in that way prior to an official debut. I can understand a dancer new to a role doing their first performance at a schools matinee if they then do one or more public performances later in the run. I would not think that only being allowed a single performance on debut would be that helpful, as there's no opportunity to settle into a role after the inevitable debut nerves. Also, the example I gave wasn't a debut, as I understand Melissa Hamilton had performed Manon in previous runs, unfortunately for me before I started attending RB performances. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scheherezade Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 I think that Melissa Hamilton is frequently underrated. She isn't suited to everything but who is? And when she is good she is very, very good... She was a fabulous Mary Vetsera a few years back to Rupert Pennefather's Rudolf. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 More Insights..... Insights: In Conversation with Francesca Hayward (back again) https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-francesca-hayward-details Alessandra Ferri – 40 years with The Royal Ballet https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-alessandra-ferri-details Ashton Rediscovered https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-ashton-rediscovered-details In Conversation with Marcelino Sambé https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-in-conversation-with-marcelino-sambe-details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmhopton Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 (edited) 20 minutes ago, oncnp said: More Insights..... Insights: In Conversation with Francesca Hayward (back again) https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-francesca-hayward-details Alessandra Ferri – 40 years with The Royal Ballet https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-alessandra-ferri-details Ashton Rediscovered https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-ashton-rediscovered-details In Conversation with Marcelino Sambé https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-in-conversation-with-marcelino-sambe-details Do we know whether any of the Insights will be streamed? I know they don't usually do the Conversation ones which is a pity as I'd love to see Francesca and Marcellino, but I'm hoping they will at least stream the Ashton one as I can't justify a London overnight stay to see it. Possibly just answered my own question as I've just looked at the details for the Ashton Insight and it says camera filming so hurrah! Also didn't realise it was so long, over 2 hours with an interval. I'm impressed! Talking of Ashton, I missed the London Ballet Circle interview with Iain Webb and his wife but apparently they said there is a possibility that Sarasota Ballet may visit the UK. Even just a possibility is something to hope for; let's hope if it happens they bring an Ashton programme! Edited July 30, 2021 by jmhopton Add info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 26 minutes ago, oncnp said: More Insights..... Insights: In Conversation with Francesca Hayward (back again) https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-francesca-hayward-details Alessandra Ferri – 40 years with The Royal Ballet https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-alessandra-ferri-details Ashton Rediscovered https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-ashton-rediscovered-details In Conversation with Marcelino Sambé https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-in-conversation-with-marcelino-sambe-details Missed one Insights: The Royal Ballet in Rehearsal https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-the-royal-ballet-in-rehearsal-details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 10 minutes ago, jmhopton said: Do we know whether any of the Insights will be streamed? I know they don't usually do the Conversation ones which is a pity as I'd love to see Francesca and Marcellino, but I'm hoping they will at least stream the Ashton one as I can't justify a London overnight stay to see it. It does say "camera filming" on the Ashton information page (but only on that one) so perhaps they will stream it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 1 hour ago, jmhopton said: Talking of Ashton, I missed the London Ballet Circle interview with Iain Webb and his wife If you're an LBC member, I believe you can view the interviews on the website afterwards. At least, I think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rina Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 10 hours ago, jmhopton said: Talking of Ashton, I missed the London Ballet Circle interview with Iain Webb and his wife but apparently they said there is a possibility that Sarasota Ballet may visit the UK. It was a real joy to hear them talking with Gerald Dowler. Just over an hour but it could have gone on all evening. Iain Webb referred to possible venues such as Sadlers Wells and the Linbury, but not to any current plans for a tour. It would obviously be a major undertaking. The LBC do put up the videos on the members' page a few months after the event, although for some reason most are currently unavailable. Iain Webb and Margaret Barbieri mentioned that company dancers were enthusiastic about being introduced to Ashton, and really enjoyed dancing his ballets. By contrast they found that English dancers tended to approach him with some fear. Iain mentioned several rare Ashton ballets, eg Sinfonietta and Jazz Calendar - he wondered whether an American audience would "get" the references such as the dancers waving at the end which parodied the TV show Sunday Night at the London Pavilion, but they applauded before the end and lapped it all up whether they knew the reference or not. It was an interesting comment because I always thought he was quoting himself - from the ending of Capriol Suite. Perhaps he had both in mind - a similar spirit of camaraderie between dancers and audience. I would dearly love to see Jazz Calendar revived (and give Elite Syncopations a rest). It is so witty: it is enjoyable in itself but it's also a stream of quotations from his and others' works, as if everyone is welcome in this wacky world where the day of your birth shapes the quality of your movement. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddieRose Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) I loved the talk with Iain and Margaret. It was wonderful to hear them speak about Ashton and their approach to Ashton's works in such a enthusiastic way. You could tell he was someone they really admired, and Margaret spoke about de Valois the same way. And I do hope in the future the Sarasota Ballet can get over to the UK, to, as someone (I can't recall who) said in the talk 'Bring Ashton home'. Back on topic, I hope they stream the Ashton insight, it would be a valuable experience for those of who can't get down to London Edited July 31, 2021 by MaddieRose 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBC Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 4 hours ago, Rina said: It was a real joy to hear them talking with Gerald Dowler. Just over an hour but it could have gone on all evening. Iain Webb referred to possible venues such as Sadlers Wells and the Linbury, but not to any current plans for a tour. It would obviously be a major undertaking. The LBC do put up the videos on the members' page a few months after the event, although for some reason most are currently unavailable. We're so glad you enjoyed this, Rina. The LBC was zooming with Iain Webb and Margaret Barbieri in the middle of their working day in the USA, so we felt that we couldn't take up too much of their time. The videos of LBC 'talks' are indeed posted for Members to view (if our guests agree) a while after the event. The recent 'disappearance' of most of them has resulted from the website platform we use introducing an involuntary 'upgrade' and we are working to restore matters. By the way, a short news item is posted on the LBC website immediately after each event, with the written reports (also publicly available) going up as soon as our guests have approved them. https://www.tlbc.org.uk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLOSS Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 At an LBC meeting years ago Anthony Russell Roberts told the audience that there had been discussion about reviving Jazz Calendar but it had been agreed that it was " too old fashioned" to appeal to modern audiences. I think this is a pretty meaningless statement which can safely be translated as, "We did not want to stage it and we think this is a plausible excuse for not doing so ". Sure, it's an episodic piece and it does seem to refer back to the beginning of Ashton's career because of its structure, but like Facade, Jazz Calendar is a highly enjoyable work and no previous knowledge of ballet is needed to be able to enjoy it. Perhaps the problem with both ballets, apart form the fact that we are currently going through a phase where dour earnestness is thought to be the way of proving that ballet is a serious art form, and they are comic works , is that their humour seems natural, completely unforced and not at all contrived. I am afraid I always feel that comedy did not come as easily or naturally to MacMillan as it did to Ashton. As a result Elite Syncopations' humour always seems constipated and contrived to me. The ability to see the funny side of things and turn that into something that is amusing in theatrical terms which bears repeat viewings is a rare gift, even rarer than the gift of apparent spontaneity. While Elite Syncopations was fun when performed by its original cast, even then it did not bear repeat viewings over a short space of time. At that time it had the distinct advantage of being performed by dancers for whom the comic ballet was familiar territory rather an alien one. Today Elite has the same effect on me as a comedian who is trying to get the audience to laugh and putting far too much effort into it. The result is that I am far more aware of the effort than I should be and the jokes barely register. A couple of years ago I went to the Derek Jarman retrospective at the National Film Theatre because it included the film of Jazz Calendar for which he had created the designs. I could see no reason why it would not appeal to audiences today if management could actually get the casting right. Beriosova as Wednesday's Child would be difficult to replace but I think it would be Thursday's Child, in the form of Alexander Grant who ends his travels lying on his side going round in circles on the floor, after strap hanging and flying who would be hardest to replace. After selecting Paul Kay, who alone seems to have a taste and aptitude for such demi-character roles as Thursday's Child for the opening night, who would you allocate to the role in other casts? I recall that Friday's Child used to produce copious pools of sweat on the floor. It is difficult to imagine anyone who would fail to be amused by the fate that befalls the latecomer to the ballet class in Saturday's Child facing a ballet master who must be based on Michael Somes. Now unlike the RB's management I have no fear of appearing frivolous. I think that Fille should at least be a biennial if not an annual feature of the company's repertory. At one time it was programmed that frequently and yet no one ever suggested that it was being done to death. It was something to be eagerly anticipated each year and it provided a simple answer to the question about which ballet to take a child to see as their first ballet. If I had the power to do so I would immediately restore Fille , Facade, A Wedding Bouquet and Jazz Calendar to the company's active repertory on the main stage and programme Capriol Suite in the Linbury. I would also revive The Prospect Before Us and let it run in as well as acquiring Tudor's Gala Performance for the company. I must admit I have never understand why management and critics in general are so dismissive of comic ballets.Comedy is so very difficult to do, let alone do so well that audiences relish revivals. Perhaps the staging of a wider range of repertory including a few successful comic works might encourage a few more choreographers to try their hand at comedy. I can always hope. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rina Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Thank you FLOSS for such an interesting account of Jazz Calendar. I have only seen the black and white film. It seems to me that the "concept" behind the choice of the children's rhyme is a good one, and well suited to ballet treatment. It is episodic but unified by the designs and the jazz music. I know that David Vaughan didn't like it much but he concedes in his book that most critics and the general public loved it. It's also a good length (over 30 minutes) compared with Valses Nobles and Scenes de Ballet (both about 16 minutes). Iain Webb was asked how he dealt with criticism that Ashton is old-fashioned and from memory both he and Margaret Barbieri just laughed and said in effect that such joyous works can never fade. One answer to Anthony Russell Roberts could be that fashions change and retro is in, as is Jarman's aesthetic. Couldn't we let the audiences decide whether they want works like it any more? It is full of real dancing, and as you suggest, the humour comes through the movements and doesn't rely on cute expressions. John Percival used to call Ashton "Ballet's Shakespeare" and it's his ability to combine the serious and the daft which makes him especially valuable today. I quite agree that you don't need to know anything about ballet to enjoy Jazz Calendar. From the start when Monday's child makes the mime for "beautiful" and applies it to herself, however, the ballet lover knows that Ashton is having fun. He has gentle digs at Balanchine: he slyly parodies Apollo in Tuesday where they line up one behind the other with arms en couronne, and Serenade in Saturday with the latecomer in class; and several of his own ballets in the finale, eg the girl carried high up doing the splits has strayed in from Valses Nobles, and the men at the back are remembering their dance from the opening of Daphnis and Chloe. Perhaps the idea is that it's all a party and everyone's welcome to bring their dance. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninamargaret Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 I very much agree with Floss and Rina's comments about Jazz Calendar. I saw this several times during its early performances and always enjoyed iy. Admittedly, a lot of the fun came from dancers who were well known to us doing what they were best at, or, saving the case of Beriosova, what you wouldn't expect them to do. I think there's a lot of truth in the fact Thatcher seen to be going through a phase when ballet can't be fun, yet The Concert always produces much laughter and enjoyment. Maybe Ashton's more gentle fun and humour is just not appreciated, or thought not to be appreciated by 'those who know'. After events of the previous 18months or so I wonder how many audiences want a diet of ballets/plays etc showing how dreadful things are? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl H Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 I have always loved Jazz Calendar and don't think today's audience would find it old-fashioned at all. They danced it one on my birthday and Frederick Ashton came onstage at the end, superb! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 I too loved Jazz Calendar and have often wondered why it is not danced today. Likewise Tudor's Gala Performance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 1 hour ago, ninamargaret said: I very much agree with Floss and Rina's comments about Jazz Calendar. I saw this several times during its early performances and always enjoyed iy. Admittedly, a lot of the fun came from dancers who were well known to us doing what they were best at, or, saving the case of Beriosova, what you wouldn't expect them to do. I think there's a lot of truth in the fact Thatcher seen to be going through a phase when ballet can't be fun, yet The Concert always produces much laughter and enjoyment. Maybe Ashton's more gentle fun and humour is just not appreciated, or thought not to be appreciated by 'those who know'. After events of the previous 18months or so I wonder how many audiences want a diet of ballets/plays etc showing how dreadful things are? Not sure what Thatcher has to do with Jazz Calendar (suspect Typo!!!), but yes, this ballet's demise at Covent Garden really began in the 1980s. I think I am right saying that the only part of the ballet performed in that decade was Friday's Child, shown at a gala (Sibley and Bujones? Anyone remember?) And yes, it seems true that ballet can't be seen to be fun at the moment. The 'relevant' funding criteria looms like a gathering storm cloud. Woe betide the poor AD whose choices stray outside the perceived boundaries of beloved relevance! Kevin O'Hare danced Friday's Child when BRB were newly installed in Birmingham in 1990 and the ballet made it to Covent Garden for 2 or 3 performances. That was 30 years and too long ago. I think it's a wonderful piece, not in the same league as Ashton's masterpieces, but a less than masterpiece from Ashton is still more than worth it. I would like to see the RB revive the whole ballet, but failing that, I think the Tuesday and Friday sections would work well in a divertissement/gala format of which we have seen so many recently and would provide real interest and novelty. I would also like to see many of the comic ballets mentioned by posters above. I have a sad feeling that we write these pleas in vain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizbie1 Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 22 hours ago, FLOSS said: Today Elite has the same effect on me as a comedian who is trying to get the audience to laugh and putting far too much effort into it. Yes, I always think it's trying too hard - and as for the costumes...! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninamargaret Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 Sorry for typo - should read 'the fact that we seem to be going......' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 (edited) Dante; Insight and cinema screenings added Insights: The Dante Project 30 September 2021, 7.45pm The event will last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The Dante Project Screenings from Tuesday 25 January 2022 Didn't see any new streamings listed Edited August 3, 2021 by oncnp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 (edited) Another fundraiser..... The Royal Opera House: 2021/22 Season Opening Draw (enthuse.com) Enter today to be in with your chance to win a free pair of top price stalls tickets to one of the following productions: Rigoletto: 13 September 2021 Romeo and Juliet: 5 October 2021 Tickets are for opening night of each production only. Draw tickets are £5 each and all proceeds will support the Royal Opera House Recovery Campaign. The competition is open until 3 September at 11:59pm. Edited August 8, 2021 by oncnp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 More goings on at the Opera House for Open House London Royal Opera House | Open House London 2021 (open-city.org.uk) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 It's very early this year, then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVWS Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 53 minutes ago, Lizbie1 said: There only appears to be a good-ish choice of seats left in the Amphi for the first night, so if you were booking elsewhere that might explain it. That would make sense, thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 I think there are a lot of seats (i.e. pretty much all of the stalls and grand tier) held back by the development office for the first night of The Dante Project for those who want to attend the first night "do". I imagine some of these will become available closer to the show... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 I think they should offer a ‘design your own booking experience’ package where you get a discount based on how much booking trauma you want to tolerate; modest discounts if you settle for being 852nd in the queue even though you joined it an hour in advance, choose a dancer you don’t want to see or a date you can’t go to for a 5% discount, press the website crash button after you’ve booked all your seats and get 10% off whatever you can get second time round….people with a strong heart or lots of hair they are willing to lose may be interested in the Total Fiasco package at a 18% discount 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Wall Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Rob S said: I think they should offer a ‘design your own booking experience’ package where you get a discount based on how much booking trauma you want to tolerate; modest discounts if you settle for being 852nd in the queue even though you joined it an hour in advance, choose a dancer you don’t want to see or a date you can’t go to for a 5% discount, press the website crash button after you’ve booked all your seats and get 10% off whatever you can get second time round….people with a strong heart or lots of hair they are willing to lose may be interested in the Total Fiasco package at a 18% discount Excellent, Rob. ..... Dont forget the 'Blind discount' - wherein you are guaranteed productions whose lighting is so dark only those with night goggles have a hope of getting a fleeting glimpse of the cherished secrets. I'm told there has been - in the recent past - an ever growing selection to choose from. Certainly something they feel we might want to look into. Edited August 19, 2021 by Bruce Wall 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Wall Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 An added extra to savour - Source: The Stage - ' The Royal Opera House is introducing a guided tour celebrating the contributions to its history by LGBT+ figures, as it restarts its visitor experience offering. From next month, visitors to Covent Garden will be able to access the new Pride of the ROH Tour, alongside three existing tours, which are returning for the first time since March 2020.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 16 minutes ago, Bruce Wall said: An added extra to savour - Source: The Stage - ' The Royal Opera House is introducing a guided tour celebrating the contributions to its history by LGBT+ figures, as it restarts its visitor experience offering. From next month, visitors to Covent Garden will be able to access the new Pride of the ROH Tour, alongside three existing tours, which are returning for the first time since March 2020.' Also on the ROH website...but no tour, except the bespoke one, goes backstage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 1 hour ago, Bruce Wall said: An added extra to savour - Source: The Stage - ' The Royal Opera House is introducing a guided tour celebrating the contributions to its history by LGBT+ figures, as it restarts its visitor experience offering. Goodness, where would you start? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 Still no seat view on ROH’s booking page. There aren’t many seats left for Ed Watson’s last performance and I’d much prefer to have a look at the seat view if possible. I can’t find the web address that was posted some time back which gave seat views. Does anyone have it although I recognise it may not be working? Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizbie1 Posted August 23, 2021 Author Share Posted August 23, 2021 46 minutes ago, JohnS said: Still no seat view on ROH’s booking page. There aren’t many seats left for Ed Watson’s last performance and I’d much prefer to have a look at the seat view if possible. I can’t find the web address that was posted some time back which gave seat views. Does anyone have it although I recognise it may not be working? Many thanks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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