RB Nutcracker Dec/Jan 23/24

[Guest oncnp]

Cut and paste takes up a lot of space so here's the link   The-Nutcracker-Friends-Rehearsal-Cast-Sheet-05-12-2023.pdf (roh.org.uk)

[alison]

29 minutes ago, capybara said:

Casting is online for today's General Rehearsal.

I can't seem to be able to cut and paste but it's the Hayward/Campbell/Tsembenhoi/Rovero/Avis cast.

 

Which I think is a cast which doesn't exist in practice?  Or have the cast changes mixed everything up?

 

Tsembenhoi (and Rovero?) are going to be working hard over the next couple of days.  Aren't they doing both the "invisible" Nutcrackers on Wednesday and Thursday as well?

[San Perregrino]

10 minutes ago, alison said:

 

Which I think is a cast which doesn't exist in practice?  Or have the cast changes mixed everything up?

 

Tsembenhoi (and Rovero?) are going to be working hard over the next couple of days.  Aren't they doing both the "invisible" Nutcrackers on Wednesday and Thursday as well?

MT yes, GR no. GR is listed for one date, Joshua Junker for another.

[Cescablue]

47 minutes ago, capybara said:

Casting is online for today's General Rehearsal.

I can't seem to be able to cut and paste but it's the Hayward/Campbell/Tsembenhoi/Rovero/Avis cast.

 

That's a fabulous cast!  Really peeved that I didn't manage to nab a ticket now!

[capybara]

Please would someone be so kind as to report on the number of snowflakes? Fingers crossed for a flurry rather than a sprinkle.

[NikkiB]

I believe it’s 24 snowflakes 

[art_enthusiast]

1 hour ago, alison said:

 

Which I think is a cast which doesn't exist in practice?  Or have the cast changes mixed everything up?

 

Tsembenhoi (and Rovero?) are going to be working hard over the next couple of days.  Aren't they doing both the "invisible" Nutcrackers on Wednesday and Thursday as well?

 

Looks like it. I thought they were only standing in together for the Nutcrackers with Bomin Kim

 

hope they're not too overworked! Tsembenhoi/Junker is still happening in Jan (I hope!)

Edited December 5, 2023 by art_enthusiast

[JennyTaylor]

Christmas has begun with the first flurry of glitter from Gary Avis's hat. The tree grew, the music is gorgeous and I have felt those prickles on the back of my neck several times.... and it's just a rehearsal!.  Such a relief to be back on the world of real ballet.  

[Ondine]

1 hour ago, capybara said:

Please would someone be so kind as to report on the number of snowflakes? Fingers crossed for a flurry rather than a sprinkle.

 

Exactly

[Ondine]

1 hour ago, NikkiB said:

I believe it’s 24 snowflakes

 

Hooray! A blizzard! (I think we can call that 'insider info'.)

 

 

[San Perregrino]

8 Angels too 

[Sim]

Sad to confirm that James Hay is out of all his scheduled Nut shows due to injury, not illness.  However, he is working very hard to ensure that his Lescaut performances go ahead.  He really doesn't want to miss them....and neither do I !  Keeping everything crossed for him.  

[MJW]

A lovely prelude to the new run of the Nutcracker and how lucky to see Gary Avis (the perfect Drosselmeyer) and Francesca Hayward and Alex Campbell (can't remember the last time I saw him on stage).

 

Marianna Tsembenhoi was a charming Clara and Giacomo Rovero a very handsome Nutcracker. Best of luck to them for their first main performances.

 

When with a friend who hasn't been to Covent Garden to years and she very much enjoyed. Certainly more fun than being at work (!)

 

[MJW]

1 minute ago, Sim said:

Sad to confirm that James Hay is out of all his scheduled Nut shows due to injury, not illness.  However, he is working very hard to ensure that his Lescaut performances go ahead.  He really doesn't want to miss them....and neither do I !  Keeping everything crossed for him.  

 

I'm sure we are all wishing him well.

[Dawnstar]

5 hours ago, Cescablue said:

That's a fabulous cast!  Really peeved that I didn't manage to nab a ticket now!

 

I was offered a ticket, by a friend who's a Friend, but decided to against it as I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get there due to the train strikes. I was cursing when I looked up the cast list earlier! Especially as I can't see the only public Tsembenhoi/Rovero performance again due to trains, though that week it's engineering rather than strikes.

[alison]

1 hour ago, Sim said:

Sad to confirm that James Hay is out of all his scheduled Nut shows due to injury, not illness.  However, he is working very hard to ensure that his Lescaut performances go ahead.  He really doesn't want to miss them....and neither do I !  Keeping everything crossed for him.  

 

Thanks, Sim.  That was what I'd assumed, so it's not unexpected, but I hope he can make it back in good form for the Manons.  

[capybara]

Soooo sorry to have James' situation confirmed.

Many dancers at the moment seem to be beset with pesky injuries which simply will not go away.

 

Please recover soon, James. You are one of those very special artists which the RB audience needs to have on stage as much as possible.

[Swan]

46 minutes ago, MJW said:

A lovely prelude to the new run of the Nutcracker and how lucky to see Gary Avis (the perfect Drosselmeyer) and Francesca Hayward and Alex Campbell (can't remember the last time I saw him on stage).

 

Marianna Tsembenhoi was a charming Clara and Giacomo Rovero a very handsome Nutcracker. Best of luck to them for their first main performances.

 

 I was so happy when I saw the cast sheet while travelling in this morning, it definitely lifted the spirits on a rainy day. It was lovely to Marianna Tsembenhoi and Giacomo Rovero perform on stage after watching the recent Insight rehearsal and I was delighted to see Francesca Hayward and Alex Campbell together. We also had Gary Avis, 24 snowflakes and much more so I’m very much looking forward to my next visit. 

[Blossom]

It was such a lovely treat today. Brilliant to have Hayward/Campbell AND to see Tsembenhoi/Rovero showing the (almost) finished results of their work from the studio insight. Having Gary Avis was the perfect icing on the cake. There were a few last minute cast changes so hoping no more injury news to follow and it was just a matter of clashing schedules. 
 

[alison]

1 hour ago, capybara said:

Please recover soon, James. You are one of those very special artists which the RB audience needs to have on stage as much as possible.

 

^ This.  With bells on.

[Emeralds]

Wishing James Hay a speedy and complete recovery! 

[Emeralds]

As RB kick off the Nutcracker season in London on the feast day of St Nicholas (Santa's special day?) which seems very appropriate,  a big toi toi toi to Hinkis, Acri, Tsembenhoi, Rovero and all the cast (especially those making their debuts in a featured role or in the ballet) who have just started the school matinee as I type, and for those doing the double and performing again tonight. Busy day! 😊 

[San Perregrino]

Opening Night 06/12 cast:

 

CAST

The Sugar Plum Fairy

Fumi Kaneko

The Prince

William Bracewell

Herr Drosselmeyer

Gary Avis

Clara

Sae Maeda

Hans-Peter/The Nutcracker

Joseph Sissens

Act I

Drosselmeyer’s assistant

Daichi Ikarashi

Dr Stahlbaum

Christopher Saunders

Mrs Stahlbaum

Christina Arestis

Fritz

Alfie Napolitano

Clara’s partner

Giacomo Rovero

Grandmother

Lara Turk

Grandfather

Philip Mosley

Housekeeper

Barbara Rhodes

Maiden aunts

Caroline Jennings, Clare Lumley

Dancing mistress

Kristen McNally

Captain

Téo Dubreuil

Harlequin

Leo Dixon

Columbine

Mica Bradbury

Soldier

Taisuke Nakao

Vivandière

Leticia Dias

Mouse King

Lukas B. Brændsrød

Snowflakes

Artists of The Royal Ballet

Singers

The Schola Cantorum of The London Oratory School, London Oratory Junior Choir

Director

Charles Cole

Act II

Spanish dance

Mica Bradbury, Téo Dubreuil, Julia Roscoe, Aiden O'Brien, Isabel Lubach, Kevin Emerton

Arabian dance

Melissa Hamilton, Lukas B. Brændsrød

Chinese dance

Joonhyuk Jun, Taisuke Nakao

Russian dance

Francisco Serrano, Giacomo Rovero

Dance of the Mirlitons

Sophie Allnatt, Ashley Dean, Viola Pantuso, Ginevra Zambon

Waltz of the Flowers

Rose Fairy

Mariko Sasaki

Rose Fairy Escorts

Harry Churches, Leo Dixon, David Donnelly, Calvin Richardson

Leading Flowers

Annette Buvoli, Leticia Dias, Chisato Katsura, Charlotte Tonkinson

Flowers

Artists of The Royal Ballet

 

 

[Rob S]

Back to 24 snowflakes, which is so much better than 16.  Mouse king still appears via the king large chair rather than the floor though

[Linnzi5]

It has been wonderful so far. My daughter is with me and she loved the snowflakes and commented how much more effective and exciting the scene was with 24 snowflakes. I agree! Some lovely dancing ! Can’t for the next act! 

[RobR]

50 minutes ago, Rob S said:

Back to 24 snowflakes, which is so much better than 16.  Mouse king still appears via the king large chair rather than the floor though

….. and Fritz no longer flies (which I miss) ….

[Dawnstar]

19 minutes ago, RobR said:

….. and Fritz no longer flies (which I miss) ….

 

What I'm not keen about Fritz not flying but freezing instead is that for me it dilutes the impact of everyone freezing a short time later when the angel crosses the stage.

[Tony Newcombe]

1 hour ago, Dawnstar said:

 

What I'm not keen about Fritz not flying but freezing instead is that for me it dilutes the impact of everyone freezing a short time later when the angel crosses the stage.

Health and Safety!!!???

[Benjamin]

4 minutes ago, Tony Newcombe said:

Health and Safety!!!???

I think it’s just cheaper as it’s a quite expensive to as you say have health and safety checks.

[BeauxArts]

A very enjoyable opening night with a lot of good dancing all round. But for me the absolute highlight were  the partnership and performances of Fumi Kaneko and Will Bracewell. When they are on stage their gravitational pull is immense: they draw you into their world and you want to stay there. It is bittersweet fo see them in this run and to have no idea when they will next be cast together. They elevate each other, inspiring each other to ever better levels of performance. And Fumi is simply sublime: a true and world class ballerina. They are just glorious. 

Edited December 6, 2023 by BeauxArts

[Linnzi5]

7 minutes ago, BeauxArts said:

A very enjoyable opening night with a lot of good dancing all round. But for me the absolute highlight were  the partnership and performances of Fumi Kaneko and Will Bracewell. When they are on stage their gravitational pull is immense: they draw you into their world and you want to stay there. It is bittersweet fo see them in this run and to have no idea when they will next be cast together. They elevate each other, inspiring each other to ever better levels of performance. And Fumi is simply sublime: a true and world class ballerina. They are just glorious. 

I agree.

 

It was a lovely evening. I'll post another time my thoughts in full, but I thought the whole evening was divine. Everyone was on top form. It was yet another magical evening. Sigh . . .

[emmarose]

Just a few quick thoughts...

 

A lovely evening tonight and everyone on gorgeous form, a personal highlight for me was Sae Maeda's Clara, she was a joy to watch. So lyrical and smooth with such a gorgeous upper body. 

 

Fumi and Bracewell were beautiful as well.

[Rob S]