RB Nutcracker Dec/Jan 23/24

[Scheherezade]

5 minutes ago, Rob S said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those photos are just gorgeous, Rob.

 

[Sim]

What a lovely, sparkling opening to the Nut season tonight.  The whole cast was wonderful, but for now I have only three words:  Will and Fumi.  And a fourth…sigh. 

[Scheherezade]

Well I am certainly looking forward to Saturday evening with this cast.

[Linnzi5]

6 hours ago, Rob S said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful photos! Thank you!  

[Richard LH]

5 hours ago, Sim said:

 I have only three words:  Will and Fumi.  And a fourth…sigh. 

Should that be "Sae"...?🤔

[Linnzi5]

6 hours ago, Sim said:

What a lovely, sparkling opening to the Nut season tonight.  The whole cast was wonderful, but for now I have only three words:  Will and Fumi.  And a fourth…sigh. 

Indeed!  Weren't they lovely together? My daughter and I thought it was a perfect opening night and we went home full of wonder and warm hearts  My daughter thought Fumi was divine. The only thing that left me feeling a bit sad was that I couldn't help but wonder when will I see Will and Fumi dance tougher after Nutcracker   

Edited December 7, 2023 by Linnzi5

[Sim]

1 hour ago, Linnzi5 said:

Indeed!  Weren't they lovely together? My daughter and I thought it was a perfect opening night and we went home full of wonder and warm hearts  My daughter thought Fumi was divine. The only thing that left me feeling a bit sad was that I couldn't help but wonder when will I see Will and Fumi dance tougher after Nutcracker   

I think you mean “together”!!  😅

[Minniethemoocher]

On 05/12/2023 at 11:28, 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.

24 

[capybara]

Was that the first time that all three leading female roles in The Nutcracker have been taken by Japanese dancers?

[LinMM]

“Dancing tougher”…..getting that leg and jump at least an inch higher! 

[zxDaveM]

Initial thoughts: Fumi Kaneko was just gorgeousness personified, William Bracewell look calm and elegant and their partnership was a joy to watch; Sae Maeda so adorable! Gary Avis drove the action along - surely they should just rename the part from Drosselmeyer and have done with it!

Feeling a lot more like Christmas now - inspired to get those decs up asap!

[Ondine]

I know this is not from December 2023; however, a reminder just how lovely it all is!

 

 

[Sophoife]

53 minutes ago, capybara said:

Was that the first time that all three leading female roles in The Nutcracker have been taken by Japanese dancers?

 

Maybe at the Royal, but I can remember an AusBallet cast of the "BRB version" of Nutcracker (i.e. no Hans-Peter and no Angels) with Ako Kondo as Sugar Plum Fairy, Miwako Kubota as Rose Fairy, Reiko Hombo as Clara, and at least two part-Japanese corps girls...but Snow Fairy was a red-headed Aussie.

[MoVR]

According to today' s  cast sheet, James Large will be doing both Russian and Chinese dance lol. I imagine that's a typo again?

[Rob S]

They

41 minutes ago, MoVR said:

According to today' s  cast sheet, James Large will be doing both Russian and Chinese dance lol. I imagine that's a typo again?

 

They've now changed Russian dance to Almeida and Diaz

[Silke H]

50 minutes ago, MoVR said:

According to today' s  cast sheet, James Large will be doing both Russian and Chinese dance lol. I imagine that's a typo again?

Well, yesterday evening's cast sheet still lists Ashley Dean for Mirlitons...

[Sim]

28 minutes ago, Silke H said:

Well, yesterday evening's cast sheet still lists Ashley Dean for Mirlitons...

I didn’t think I saw her!

[Linnzi5]

3 hours ago, Sim said:

I think you mean “together”!!  😅

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Auto correct and no proofreading failure again! 🤪

[Linnzi5]

I enjoyed last night's Nutcracker even more than the one I sae last year (similar cast).  

 

I just read The Times' review and there is a paragraph that just summed up why this performance was so special for me. I won't link it here or talk about it yet, as it will be linked tomorrow in the links section and I wouldn't want to spoil what's written in it for anyone who hasn't seen it.

 

So, why did I like it so much? Where to begin?

 

The production is my favourite, for a start. I really love the costumes and Peter Wright's vision. The sets are so pretty, especially the Kingdom of the Sweets. The orchestra was on top form and I felt the direction from the conductor was full of vigour and the music a little quicker in some places. Despite my still-defective ear, which is still suffering middle ear issues and hearing music a muffled semi-tone higher than the other ear, it sounded wonderful. At one point, I stuck my finger in my bad ear so I could lesson the dissonance. My daughter gave me very strange looks! 

 

The dancing - wow, what a high standard was set. Sae Maeda was just a gorgeous Clara -  she showed such joy in her dancing and she and Joseph Sissens were lovely together. I particularly enjoyed the latter's Act II mime this year. They both seemed very relaxed and confident. The snowflakes were lovely - it is so much more magical with 24, so that was exciting and,  well, did I already say 'magical'? 🤣

 

Gary Avis IS Drosselmeyer - he was a joy to watch. The children were lovely as were all of the dancers in Act I. It was all just so perfect. 

 

Act II is my favourite act (though there are several scenes from Act I that I think are beautiful and moving). The dances were as excellent as usual. I couldn't fault any of them. I still prefer the old version of the Arabian Dance with the three male partners, though the performances yesterday were as perfect as always. I also miss Fritz being hauled up into the air - him being frozen doesn't have quite the same impact! Those are small quibbles though.

 

Mariko Sasaki made a light and dainty Rose Fairy and her escorts were absolutely top notch. 

 

The Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince were, in my eyes, perfect in every way. Yes, technically it was wonderful (they made it look so easy).  It was elegant and beautiful, charming and perfect. But, the thing that affected me the most, is the beautiful partnership Will and Fumi have. I truly believed they adored each other - and I just don't generally see that in other Sugar Plum couples I have seen. Theirs is a unique chemistry that elevates the PDD from technically brilliant dancing to something that moves me. I realise my opinion is, of course, mine and my views are subjective, but I just felt they elevated the PDD (and Coda) to a new level.

 

I am still sighing contentedly today. I'm also still half-deaf in one ear, but at least my heart is feeling full of joy.

[JennyTaylor]

Just picked up a late ticket for tomorrow evening. SO happy.  Will and Fumi one last time. Absolutely sublime performance in all respects on Wednesday (by everyone).  Can only echo everyone's comments already made, and they seemed to reach quite another plane of perfection for me.  

[Sim]

15 hours ago, Linnzi5 said:

I enjoyed last night's Nutcracker even more than the one I sae last year (similar cast).  

 

I just read The Times' review and there is a paragraph that just summed up why this performance was so special for me. I won't link it here or talk about it yet, as it will be linked tomorrow in the links section and I wouldn't want to spoil what's written in it for anyone who hasn't seen it.

 

So, why did I like it so much? Where to begin?

 

The production is my favourite, for a start. I really love the costumes and Peter Wright's vision. The sets are so pretty, especially the Kingdom of the Sweets. The orchestra was on top form and I felt the direction from the conductor was full of vigour and the music a little quicker in some places. Despite my still-defective ear, which is still suffering middle ear issues and hearing music a muffled semi-tone higher than the other ear, it sounded wonderful. At one point, I stuck my finger in my bad ear so I could lesson the dissonance. My daughter gave me very strange looks! 

 

The dancing - wow, what a high standard was set. Sae Maeda was just a gorgeous Clara -  she showed such joy in her dancing and she and Joseph Sissens were lovely together. I particularly enjoyed the latter's Act II mime this year. They both seemed very relaxed and confident. The snowflakes were lovely - it is so much more magical with 24, so that was exciting and,  well, did I already say 'magical'? 🤣

 

Gary Avis IS Drosselmeyer - he was a joy to watch. The children were lovely as were all of the dancers in Act I. It was all just so perfect. 

 

Act II is my favourite act (though there are several scenes from Act I that I think are beautiful and moving). The dances were as excellent as usual. I couldn't fault any of them. I still prefer the old version of the Arabian Dance with the three male partners, though the performances yesterday were as perfect as always. I also miss Fritz being hauled up into the air - him being frozen doesn't have quite the same impact! Those are small quibbles though.

 

Mariko Sasaki made a light and dainty Rose Fairy and her escorts were absolutely top notch. 

 

The Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince were, in my eyes, perfect in every way. Yes, technically it was wonderful (they made it look so easy).  It was elegant and beautiful, charming and perfect. But, the thing that affected me the most, is the beautiful partnership Will and Fumi have. I truly believed they adored each other - and I just don't generally see that in other Sugar Plum couples I have seen. Theirs is a unique chemistry that elevates the PDD from technically brilliant dancing to something that moves me. I realise my opinion is, of course, mine and my views are subjective, but I just felt they elevated the PDD (and Coda) to a new level.

 

I am still sighing contentedly today. I'm also still half-deaf in one ear, but at least my heart is feeling full of joy.

"The one I sae last year"....what a brilliant typo!!!  Lovely review, Linnzi, and I agree with every word.  It was a very special opening night, tempered for me by the sadness that I won't be seeing this magnificent partnership again for a good long time (unless something unplanned happens, like their unexpected show of DonQ). 

 

[annamk]

Before Fumi Kaneko’s two serious injuries took her off stage for extended periods it was obvious she had an extraordinary talent. But just what a special ballerina she is has become increasingly apparent this last 12/18 months. That she is a brilliant technician is absolutely a given but she is so so much more than that: elegant, effortless, engaging, thrilling, daring, joyful and yet also poignant. On me Fumi has the emotional impact that Alina Cojocaru used to. I could be reduced to tears by the simple act of Alina bouree-ing on to the stage; she had an emotional depth that I could read in her eyes and that I could sense very strongly. Every role Fumi touches turns to gold and when she is partnered by William Bracewell it is simply ballet heaven. The oh so brief grand pas in the opening night of Nutcracker was a thing of exquisite magical beauty, both better than I have ever seen them. As others have mentioned it was something of a bittersweet moment given the upcoming casting. One waits years for the partnership of a generation and then it’s snuffed out just as it’s reached its’ apogee.

 

The first night cast were uniformly excellent: in particular I was charmed by Sae Maeda , Joe Sissens and Mariko Sasaki, Lukas B. Brændsrød’s rock solid partnering in the Arabian with the lovely Melissa Hamilton, Leo Dixon’s Cavalier and Joonhyuk Jun with Taisuke Nakao in the Russian dance.

[Guest oncnp]

5 minutes ago, annamk said:

 One waits years for the partnership of a generation and then it’s snuffed out just as it’s reached its’ apogee.

 

 

No casting for the MacMillan, Winter's Tale, or the Ashton yet so you may yet get your wish this season. 

[Ondine]

16 hours ago, Linnzi5 said:

I truly believed they adored each other - and I just don't generally see that in other Sugar Plum couples I have seen.

 

Acting. Great acting. It's not simply all about the steps, is it? It's about that on stage adoration and presentation of the sweetest 'fairy' by the handsome, reliable prince as something very precious and fragile, spun sugar. You can really believe in that happy ever after, for a few minutes.

 

I felt Fonteyn and Somes conveyed this also.  Perhaps the stars from the past can still teach the dancers of the present.

 

Am I an old softie? Noooo.

 

(My first ever ballet dress was pink, I was five, my mum made it, Christmas more decades ago than I care to think about.  I still have the pattern she used and the 78 rpm record to which I used to twirl around, a recording of the Nutcracker, played on a wind up HMV gramophone. I WAS that Sugar Plum Fairy.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Linnzi5]

1 hour ago, Sim said:

"The one I sae last year"....what a brilliant typo!!!  Lovely review, Linnzi, and I agree with every word.  It was a very special opening night, tempered for me by the sadness that I won't be seeing this magnificent partnership again for a good long time (unless something unplanned happens, like their unexpected show of DonQ). 

 

Seriously, what is wrong with my typing?! 🤣 Very funny typo though, but not as good as my ‘tougher’ one! 🙄🤣

 

There was a sadness felt acutely by me as well. I knew I hadn’t got them together in Manon and was desperately hoping for Swan Lake - that would be my dream pairing. I was, and remain,  so disappointed! I hope that the casting for next season doesn’t go the same way! I need my Fumi/Will fix at least once in each booking period (more would be better!!) 

[capybara]

I really like Fumi and William as a pairing although, in common with Culture Whisper (see today’s links), I sometimes have reservations about his variations (and, actually, his partnering).

 

Fumi is a glorious, world class ballerina who lights up every partnership she is in. My experience of her dancing both full length works and pas de deux with various others suggests that we should approach her Manon and Swan Lake with an open mind at least.
 

It’s fair enough for fans to have favourites but it makes me feel uneasy that judgements are already being made on here on the basis of supposition.

 

Fumi/Vadim; Yasmine/Will; Frankie/Will; Lauren/Will. Bring them on …..

[Balletfanp]

I’m probably going to need to take cover for saying this, but I’m not sure it feels entirely fair that people are already bemoaning the fact that Fumi will be partnered by someone else for two ballets. It gives the impression that she and Vadim are already being judged as “not as good as….” before they have even stepped on stage together. Obviously Fumi and William are a great partnership, but I think she and Vadim could be just as good - they both have to dance with other people sometimes and it’s good to mix things up. I just hope people haven’t already decided on their verdict.

[Balletfanp]

Our posts crossed, Capybara - you have pretty much said the same! 🙂

[alison]

Hmm, there are suddenly a goodly number of higher-priced tickets released for the last few performances.  Just in case anyone is feeling rich.

[BeauxArts]

I am not sure there are actual assumptions being made that Fumi and X or Will and Y will not be "as good as" Fumi and Will. My perception - and I could be wrong - is that people are expressing subjectively how they feel when they watch Fumi and Will, and their opinions derive from having seen them dance in a wide range of works, not least their extraordinary Romeo and Juliet. Chemistry is just that: they have it. It is rare and should - in my view - be treasured and allowed to flourish. None of that means that those who - and I include myself here - want to see Fumi and Will dance together as much as possible - will not derive very great pleasure from seeing the various combinations in SL and Manon.

[annamk]

28 minutes ago, Balletfanp said:

I’m probably going to need to take cover for saying this, but I’m not sure it feels entirely fair that people are already bemoaning the fact that Fumi will be partnered by someone else for two ballets. It gives the impression that she and Vadim are already being judged as “not as good as….” before they have even stepped on stage together. Obviously Fumi and William are a great partnership, but I think she and Vadim could be just as good - they both have to dance with other people sometimes and it’s good to mix things up. I just hope people haven’t already decided on their verdict.

 

I really hope that all the Manon and Swan Lake combinations will be wonderful and I will be going along to a number of the performances to find out.

 

But I can't unfeel what I have felt and unsee what I have seen with the Kaneko/Bracewell partnership: it is my raw emotional reaction to a chemistry that is as rare as hen's teeth. Together Kaneko/Bracewell have moved me more than any partnership with the exception of Cojocaru/Kobborg in 25 years of ballet going. Surely it is ok to express this feeling on the forum without it being taken as a judgement on other casts ?

[Balletfanp]

Of course - and that’s fine. My point was that, intentional or not, some of the posts came across as expressing a level of gloom at Fumi dancing with someone other than William, which seemed a little rough on Vadim, or on anyone else she might dance with.

Totally agree about the Fumi/William chemistry, although it strikes me that Fumi creates chemistry whoever she dances with. And of course, chemistry isn’t restricted to just the one partnership!

Anyway, better revert to the Nutcracker thread.

Edited December 8, 2023 by Balletfanp

[Linnzi5]

7 minutes ago, BeauxArts said:

I am not sure there are actual assumptions being made that Fumi and X or Will and Y will not be "as good as" Fumi and Will. My perception - and I could be wrong - is that people are expressing subjectively how they feel when they watch Fumi and Will, and their opinions derive from having seen them dance in a wide range of works, not least their extraordinary Romeo and Juliet. Chemistry is just that: they have it. It is rare and should - in my view - be treasured and allowed to flourish. None of that means that those who - and I include myself here - want to see Fumi and Will dance together as much as possible - will not derive very great pleasure from seeing the various combinations in SL and Manon.

Indeed. I am looking forward to seeing Vadim/Fumi and Will/Yasmine for Manon - I have booked to see both couples. I think it’s wrong and unfair for anyone to assume how I feel about other pairings as I haven’t said anything about these on this particular thread. However, as presently, Will and Fumi are not cast together I am sorry not to be able to see them again and it felt bitter sweet when my Nutcracker performance had ended and agreed with Sim . I certainly am not making assumptions that I won’t like other pairings as I always have an open mind.