Royal Ballet's Swan Lake (Spring 2022)

[Guest oncnp]

And Bracewell replacing Bonelli for the "Welcome" performance

[Sim]

And for tomorrow afternoon's Welcome performance, Federico Bonelli is replaced by William Bracewell.  OMG Fumi and Bracewell...just the thought of that pairing makes me feel like I have died and gone to ballet heaven.

 

Bonelli's name has also gone from the Ukrainian gala poster. 

[alison]

2 hours ago, Fonty said:

My mother used to buy Dancing Times when I was a child, and I remember that they used to do reviews of at least two casts in the major ballets.  

 

Yes, but of course, they are specialist dance press, so I'd hope they would.  Equally, I'd expect to see a lot more tennis coverage in a tennis publication than the paltry amounts we do in the national papers.

 

With regard to the "plus one" situation, some years ago either a recipient actually told me, or I overheard a critic saying, something along the lines that having someone to take with them makes for a better experience (and sometimes the "plus one's" reactions do even make it into the final review).

[alison]

3 minutes ago, Sim said:

And for tomorrow afternoon's Welcome performance, Federico Bonelli is replaced by William Bracewell.  OMG Fumi and Bracewell...just the thought of that pairing makes me feel like I have died and gone to ballet heaven.

 

Bonelli's name has also gone from the Ukrainian gala poster. 

 

I'd just noticed that, and hoped that it wasn't what I was thinking   I'd been so envying the NHS workers, having that stunning pairing to watch.  But I'm sure that Bracewell will be a more than acceptable replacement.  (And he'll end up with 3 different Odette/Odiles too )

[Sim]

I was on the Olivier Awards dance judging panel for three years and was usually given two tickets...but if it was a very in-demand performance I was given one.  I always thought it was incredibly generous of the venues to give me two tickets, especially when they were always top price ones.  

[Lizbie1]

7 minutes ago, alison said:

With regard to the "plus one" situation, some years ago either a recipient actually told me, or I overheard a critic saying, something along the lines that having someone to take with them makes for a better experience (and sometimes the "plus one's" reactions do even make it into the final review).

 

That's the only justification that holds any water as far as I'm concerned (and it's leaned on heavily in the Guardian article I linked to) - but how about instead they ask whoever's sitting next to them for their thoughts? They'd likely get a more interesting answer than from somebody from their own social circle who may well share the same attitudes and prejudices.

[zxDaveM]

3 hours ago, capybara said:

 

As I understand it, critics/publications are offered one or a pair of tickets for the opening night (preferably) or a performance of their choice if they insist. This can mean that there are Principal dancers who are rarely, if ever, reviewed by the press or the major online publications. Yasmine Naghdi seemed to me to be one such dancer until she replaced Nunez for the first show of Swan Lake recently and it was really good to see her having some well-deserved attention.

 

 

yes, they don't call it 'press night' for nothing 🙂

And totally agree on how Yasmine Naghdi seems to have all but avoided the critics attention. I do hope they realise what they are missing!

[Emeralds]

I read that Guardian review and the first thing that irked me about Lindsey Winship’s review was calling Hayward “best British dancer of her generation” which made me think she doesn’t know much about ballet and hasn’t done her homework seeing enough performances. Inserting the word “arguably” is no excuse either. Especially in a strong decade we’re having with Naghdi, O’Sullivan, Cuthbertson, in addition to Hayward, and as she didn’t say “female dancer” or “ballerina”, that also includes Ball, Bracewell, Clarke, and (outside the Royal Ballet), Joseph Caley, David Moore, Alexander Jones, Tyrone Singleton, etc etc each one with her/his own strengths and gifts.

 

The adjective “high profile” or “well known” is more accurate given Hayward’s film work. If it’s her own opinion/favourite, that is fair enough, but she should say “my favourite”, “best in my estimation “, “best as far as I’m concerned” or words to that effect.

 

Interesting that Judith Mackrell’s review for the Guardian in 2018 had a more balanced view of the production and the performances. (Of course, Judith Mackrell is a more experienced critic, but I noticed that when Mackrell was starting out - the way Winship is now - she had clearly seen more dance performances and also had stronger writing skills.) Winship also needs to guard against certain gaffes, such as misidentification of performers and getting the odd fact wrong (in other reviews).

Edited March 18, 2022 by Emeralds

[Jamesrhblack]

The very interesting Leigh Witchel review mentions that after the suicide jump Osipova was seen no more until the bows. Does she cut the final apotheosis image (which I happen to dislike) or was it simply omitted as she’d not been feeling well at that performance.

[AnticaFiamma]

11 minutes ago, Jamesrhblack said:

The very interesting Leigh Witchel review mentions that after the suicide jump Osipova was seen no more until the bows. Does she cut the final apotheosis image (which I happen to dislike) or was it simply omitted as she’d not been feeling well at that performance.

No she definitely did it. Dunno, maybe she found it negligible (or couldn't see it from her seat?). I doubt it was a double 

Edited March 18, 2022 by AnticaFiamma

[Dawnstar]

Maybe she couldn't see the final vision of Odette from where she was sitting? I couldn't when I saw Naghdi/Ball last week from far left side stalls circle. Likewise the Act III Odette vision & Von Rothbart's & Odette's demises weren't visible to me either.

 

Edit: Sorry, cross-posted the same suggestion as @AnticaFiamma

Edited March 18, 2022 by Dawnstar

[Lizbie1]

One reviewer in the first run clearly missed the apotheosis image on the first night and only noticed it at his next viewing - though his explanation was that it had been hastily added in between the two!

[Fonty]

1 hour ago, alison said:

 

Yes, but of course, they are specialist dance press, so I'd hope they would.  Equally, I'd expect to see a lot more tennis coverage in a tennis publication than the paltry amounts we do in the national papers.

 

 

 

Oh, I appreciate that.  I suppose I was partly wondering out loud if the Dancing Times still did that as I haven't seen read it for years.  And although I do read the links to the critics on here, I do tend to find that they just do the opening night cast as a rule.

[Rob S]

37 minutes ago, Jamesrhblack said:

The very interesting Leigh Witchel review mentions that after the suicide jump Osipova was seen no more until the bows. Does she cut the final apotheosis image (which I happen to dislike) or was it simply omitted as she’d not been feeling well at that performance.

 

If he's the person in front of me that was making notes sitting in a side seat of the SC...I would've thought he  could see Osipova ( I could only see her knees and below if I crouched down in my otherwise fabulous SCS location)...maybe he was distracted by Siegfried and co...I expect the vision is far more obvious from a central seat.

[Lizbie1]

One obvious reason for the greater spread of casts seen by reviewers this year is that they will have reported on the intended first night pairing of Nunez/Muntagirov back in 2018.

Edited March 18, 2022 by Lizbie1

[capybara]

The ending was changed at Bonelli’s final performance to enable the leading couple to stand alone together on stage (R&J style) for a much justified ovation. That ‘curtain call’ format seems to have been retained. I really like that approach as it provides the opportunity for the audience to honour some glorious performances.

 

I have never seen the vision of Odette (too wrapped up with Siegfried and her dead body and/or poor visibility) but, if she is still there, it could well be a double.

[Rob S]

1 minute ago, capybara said:

 if she is still there, it could well be a double.

 

...treble!😄

[cjp]

1 hour ago, Sim said:

OMG Fumi and Bracewell...just the thought of that pairing makes me feel like I have died and gone to ballet heaven.

I couldn't agree more, Fumi's SL debut (and Federico's farewell) was one of those performances that will always stand out for me as absolutely magical and unforgettable, so the chance to see her dance it with William Bracewell, if it ever came along, would be pretty unmissable.

 

[bridiem]

The fact that there are still people not seeing the vision of Odette, either because of sightlines or because the dramatic focus is all on Siegfried at that point, is a huge failing. Either it doesn't really matter, in which case get rid of it, or it does, in which case make sure she's visible and if necessary the lighting ensures that she's seen.

[Fiona]

1 hour ago, Fonty said:

 

Oh, I appreciate that.  I suppose I was partly wondering out loud if the Dancing Times still did that as I haven't seen read it for years.  And although I do read the links to the critics on here, I do tend to find that they just do the opening night cast as 

I get the Dancing Times, mainly because the editor, Jonathan Gray, reviews each and every RB cast in their productions, which is the main reason I buy it!  I  also greatly appreciate reading all the opinions on this forum, and seeing the wonderful curtain call photos!

[alison]

(Dancing Times is also available electronically on subscription, in case you can't get hold of it easily)

[Tony Newcombe]

2 hours ago, cjp said:

I couldn't agree more, Fumi's SL debut (and Federico's farewell) was one of those performances that will always stand out for me as absolutely magical and unforgettable, so the chance to see her dance it with William Bracewell, if it ever came along, would be pretty unmissable.

 

As magnifent as Kaneko’s Odile was, Bracewell’s Siegfried is far too intelligent to be be taken in by such a siren

[Dawnstar]

3 hours ago, bridiem said:

The fact that there are still people not seeing the vision of Odette, either because of sightlines or because the dramatic focus is all on Siegfried at that point, is a huge failing. Either it doesn't really matter, in which case get rid of it, or it does, in which case make sure she's visible and if necessary the lighting ensures that she's seen.

 

I was rather surprised at how many important plot moments, including the vision of Odette, I was unable to see from sides stalls circle (C21), especially considering the production was designed for the ROH auditorium. While considerably lower than top price, at £67 I wouldn't say those sides stalls bench seats are exactly cheap tickets.

[SPD444]

6 hours ago, Sim said:

And for tomorrow afternoon's Welcome performance, Federico Bonelli is replaced by William Bracewell.  OMG Fumi and Bracewell...just the thought of that pairing makes me feel like I have died and gone to ballet heaven.

 

Bonelli's name has also gone from the Ukrainian gala poster. 

I think his name for the Fumi performance was removed after his appointment to Northern Ballet so could be that is why.

[LinMM]

Hmm Tony Newcombe that could be a problem for the SW plot line lol 🤔

[Sim]

3 hours ago, SPD444 said:

I think his name for the Fumi performance was removed after his appointment to Northern Ballet so could be that is why.

But his name was on the Ukrainian gala list this past week, so he was intending to dance there…

[Sebastian]

16 hours ago, alison said:

(Dancing Times is also available electronically on subscription, in case you can't get hold of it easily)

 

...and at a remarkably good price, too. Anyone on this Forum who has a tablet or such and does not yet take Dancing Times should check out the current subscription offer. This distinguished monthly magazine is always worth reading. 

[bridiem]

Matthew Ball has posted this on his Instagram account:

'Unfortunately tonight I will not be able to perform in @royaloperahouse 'Swan Lake' due to a flair up of an old knee injury.
Terribly disappointing to miss it but I think it is the right decision for me to take at this moment. I am incredibly grateful for the partnership @yasmine_naghdi and I have built and any opportunities we have to continue to grow together, but I have had to let this one go. I hate to let her and the audience down but with @cesarcorrales926 stepping in for the performance I know everyone is guaranteed a wonderful show. 🤞fingers crossed I will be back on-stage soon for some less demanding work whilst I give my knee the chance to settle.'

[emmarose]

8 minutes ago, bridiem said:

Matthew Ball has posted this on his Instagram account:

'Unfortunately tonight I will not be able to perform in @royaloperahouse 'Swan Lake' due to a flair up of an old knee injury.
Terribly disappointing to miss it but I think it is the right decision for me to take at this moment. I am incredibly grateful for the partnership @yasmine_naghdi and I have built and any opportunities we have to continue to grow together, but I have had to let this one go. I hate to let her and the audience down but with @cesarcorrales926 stepping in for the performance I know everyone is guaranteed a wonderful show. 🤞fingers crossed I will be back on-stage soon for some less demanding work whilst I give my knee the chance to settle.'

 

Poor thing, what a heartfelt message from him.

Hopefully he can rehab his knee and it'll be better sooner rather than later. 

[capybara]

9 minutes ago, bridiem said:

Matthew Ball has posted this on his Instagram account:

'Unfortunately tonight I will not be able to perform in @royaloperahouse 'Swan Lake' due to a flair up of an old knee injury.
Terribly disappointing to miss it but I think it is the right decision for me to take at this moment. I am incredibly grateful for the partnership @yasmine_naghdi and I have built and any opportunities we have to continue to grow together, but I have had to let this one go. I hate to let her and the audience down but with @cesarcorrales926 stepping in for the performance I know everyone is guaranteed a wonderful show. 🤞fingers crossed I will be back on-stage soon for some less demanding work whilst I give my knee the chance to settle.'

What a lovely message - and an honest, open one.

Hoping that Matthew’s knee will soon be on the mend. We need his artistry back on the stage where he belongs.

 

[Emeralds]

Poor Matthew! Wishing him a good rest and speedy healing. Good of him to let his audience know (to avoid wild speculation, I guess) and how very gracious he was to Cesar for stepping in. 

[Dawnstar]

I wonder if his final sentence means that he might be able to do the two upcoming triple bills? Presumably a one-act ballet is usually less physically demanding than dancing the lead in one of the big classical three-acters.

[alison]

I had a feeling something wasn't quite right when I saw him last week :(. Best wishes to him for a full and speedy recovery.