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The National Ballet of Japan to perform at Royal Opera House in July 2025


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Giselle

The Royal Opera House, London, UK

24 - 27 July, 2025 (5 Performances)

 

 

 "Giselle" is our second new production in YOSHIDA Miyako's term as Artistic Director of Ballet & Dance. YOSHIDA, together with British choreographer Alastair MARRIOT, who has a long time successful career at the Royal Ballet, will work to recreate one of the most enduring masterpieces of 19th century romantic ballet. One of the major highlights is the set design by Dick BIRD. Inspired by Lithuania's Hill of Crosses, BIRD's design showcases a blend of Christianity and indigenous cultures.

Edited by Roberta
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I was at the press conference today at the National Ballet of Japan. 

 

This tour to the Royal Opera House is not as a guest of the ROH, the company is responsible for the tour. But of course this came possible as Miyako Yoshida was former principal at the Royal Ballet and also partnered Kevin O'Hare at BRB, this relationship helped to make this tour happen. 

 

Here is a clip from the 1st act Giselle solo by Ayako Ono, one of their best ballerinas. (another great ballerina who should be doing Giselle is Yui Yonezawa)

https://youtu.be/enZHFYf0qGI?si=scguws561xwEm0F1

 

The designs by Dick Bird are also very impressive, quite a beautiful one especially at the second act. 

 

Another news clip

https://youtu.be/rmbQm7P-JCw?si=6bjIYwJ-2oRFTrt0

 

My review on Bachtrack.

https://bachtrack.com/review-giselle-marriott-ono-okumura-national-ballet-japan-tokyo-october-2022

 

 

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It is so nice to see that some balletic alternatives are being made available for ROH summer rentals post pandemic - and in the midst of savage wars  - to educate, entertain, soothe and serve British balletomanes.  Our concerted thanks to those at the Kinoshita Group and others who may follow in their courageous like.

 

 

 

Edited by Bruce Wall
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2 hours ago, Naomi M said:

The name of the theatre is New National Theatre but the ballet company's name is National Ballet of Japan,

so I think the title should be changed to National Ballet of Japan to perform at Royal Opera House. 

 

https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/ballet-dance/

 

”The resident company of the theatre is the National Ballet of Japan”


Dear Moderator 

 

Naomi M is absolutely right.

When you have a moment, could you amend ‘New National Theatre, Tokyo’ part to The National Ballet of Japan? 

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  • Jan McNulty changed the title to The National Ballet of Japan to perform at Royal Opera House in July 2025
7 hours ago, Naomi M said:

This tour to the Royal Opera House is not as a guest of the ROH, the company is responsible for the tour. But of course this came possible as Miyako Yoshida was former principal at the Royal Ballet and also partnered Kevin O'Hare at BRB, this relationship helped to make this tour happen. 


What does this mean exactly? Does it just mean that the company has to pay for the venue?

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13 hours ago, TSR101 said:


What does this mean exactly? Does it just mean that the company has to pay for the venue?

 

Yoshida said so. They are paying for the venue, but they also receive the revenue from the ticket sales.  

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1 hour ago, Naomi M said:

 

Yoshida said so. They are paying for the venue, but they also receive the revenue from the ticket sales.  


How would this differ to the arrangements for the Bolshoi for example where they invited guests?

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8 minutes ago, TSR101 said:


How would this differ to the arrangements for the Bolshoi for example where they invited guests?

I believe that anyone who uses the ROH aside from the 'home' companies has to pay to rent it.  There might be the odd exception, but I don't think the Opera House has the financial luxury of being able to support visiting companies (staff, insurance, electricity and everything else involved).

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An alternative financial contract would be for the venue or event promoters to pay a fixed fee to the performing group in return for taking on the full profit (or not) from ticket sales.   This is how Natalia Osipova’s Bloom Dance Project and other independent artists operate.  

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On 29/02/2024 at 15:55, jonac said:

Didn't read closely enough; thought it was this year. Thanks for your correcting me.


I suppose there won’t be a ballet company visiting this year then? Otherwise they probably would have announced it already.

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  • 2 months later...

We are delighted to announce that next summer 2025, we will welcome the National Ballet of Japan to our stage for the first time. The company will perform Giselle, in a production by Artistic Director and former Royal Ballet principal Miyako Yoshida from 24–27 July 2025, showcasing the exquisite artistry of Japan's national ballet company.  Further details will be included in your 2024/25 Summer information.

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A short video of Giselle's 1st act solo by Ayako Ono, one of their principals.

Sets are designed by Dick Bird.

 

Backstage tour of the production by Dick Bird.

 

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I agree about more performances - and also more varied programme.  I can see that a company may feel that it needs to have the staples in its repertoire for the development of the company.  However, London audiences will have seen other highly regarded Giselles.  I would like to have seen a work that said this is the Japan National Ballet Company  and not the RB, BRB, ENB.  

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On 07/05/2024 at 21:00, Henry said:

I agree about more performances - and also more varied programme.  I can see that a company may feel that it needs to have the staples in its repertoire for the development of the company.  However, London audiences will have seen other highly regarded Giselles.  I would like to have seen a work that said this is the Japan National Ballet Company  and not the RB, BRB, ENB.  

 

I think that is a fair point, Henry, but this is a straight rental and is in no way supported by the ROH (or is that now RBO) and, consequently, I'm sure they wanted to present something that a British audience - or those tourists who are still coming to an ever expensive London with a heated tourist tax - are more like to purchase.  I felt the same way with the Georgia Ballet showing Swan Lake in August at the Coliseum but very much understand the commercial necessity given the expensive rental venues involved.

 

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17 minutes ago, Bruce Wall said:

are still coming to an ever expensive London with a heated tourist tax

What is a heated tourist tax?

London is still good value for tourists (especially from the USA) because of the favourable exchange rates and all the free things there are to do here compared with say Europe. 

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8 minutes ago, San Perregrino said:

What is a heated tourist tax?

London is still good value for tourists (especially from the USA) because of the favourable exchange rates and all the free things there are to do here compared with say Europe. 

 

From the Gov.uk website - This is different from many European locations - 

 

'You can only buy tax-free goods from shops: in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) if they're delivered straight to an address outside the UK. in Northern Ireland if they're delivered straight to an address outside the UK and the EU'.

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Posted (edited)

 

I'm happy to see their Giselle- I actually have to remind myself it's next summer and not this summer though.

 

Actually, the production I would most  love to see (and would definitely buy more tickets for) is Ashton's Cinderella with the David Walker designs- whichever Japanese company (I'm not sure if it was National Ballet of Japan but it was certainly a Tokyo based company) has bought it, would love to see them tour it here. It looked stunning- their dancing as well as the designs- on YouTube. It was stunning in the 80s and 90s when RB danced it too.

Edited by Emeralds
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30 minutes ago, San Perregrino said:

What is a heated tourist tax?

London is still good value for tourists (especially from the USA) because of the favourable exchange rates and all the free things there are to do here compared with say Europe. 

As an American coming to London for 30+ years I will respectfully disagree re: good value.

 

And the pound is $1.25 today. The  euro is $1.07

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19 minutes ago, Bruce Wall said:

 

From the Gov.uk website - This is different from many European locations - 

 

'You can only buy tax-free goods from shops: in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) if they're delivered straight to an address outside the UK. in Northern Ireland if they're delivered straight to an address outside the UK and the EU'.

It’s just clicked to me that perhaps you mean hated rather than heated? 
I think it’s standard everywhere to pay VAT/ tax/federal tax on goods and then have to claim that back on qualifying purchases when one leaves the country isn’t it? 
 

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31 minutes ago, San Perregrino said:

It’s just clicked to me that perhaps you mean hated rather than heated? 
I think it’s standard everywhere to pay VAT/ tax/federal tax on goods and then have to claim that back on qualifying purchases when one leaves the country isn’t it? 
 

I just checked and no,  tourists cannot claim VAT refunds according to visitlondon.com 

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