Getting autographs

[audsjcanuck]

We will be attending a Bolshoi performance and my daughter wants to get an autograph from Smirnova (and we might come back for Svetlana autograph even though we can't attend that show).

It's not common to do this at home. But at a Marinsky performance a few years ago there was a small crowd waiting for Lopatkina at stage door.

What can we expect at the ROH?

[John Mallinson]

Yes, very likely to be a stage door gathering of enthusiasts. No knowing how long you might have to wait of course!

[Don Q Fan]

Yes just turn up at Stage Door after the show and wait for as long as it takes (could be 30 mins or 2+ hours I have waited for Kondaurova of the Mariinksy!) you will surely get an autograph.  Smirnova is not yet a big name so I expect she won't be so "popular" as one of the bigger names like Zakharova or Alexandrova.  Don't forget your pens and a camera either although it is polite to ask to take a pic! Oh and have your programm page or cast sheet ready for signing as Zakharova got in a right tizz when my page wasn't open at the right place!!

Edited July 6, 2013 by Don Q Fan

[Nina G.]

At the ROH, The Royal Ballet dancers are always happy to sign programmes, give an autograph and chat to people waiting at the Stage Door, I assume the Russians will be happy to do so as well  

[Amelia]

After the Bolshoi's Don Q. matinee 3 years ago the crowd eager to get Osipova & Vasiliev’s autographs was so huge that the stagedoor keepers kindly gave their own working place behind the glass to the dancers and were monitoring the queue allowing access into the stagedoor area to 5 people at a time. Natasha & Ivan enjoyed it. I could place a photo of them here but am not sure how to do it.

[chrischris]

I'm not sure i'd even recognise many of the dancers in regular clothes, without their stage makeup. They must look so different.

[Jan McNulty]

I'm not sure i'd even recognise many of the dancers in regular clothes, without their stage makeup. They must look so different.

 

In 1986 we saw the Bolshoi at the Palace Theatre in Manchester in a bits and bobs programme that included a reasonable chunk of Spartacus danced by Irek Mukhamedov.  We didn't really know that end of Manchester and were just lurking while waiting to meet a friend.  Some of the dancers came out of the alleyway that led to the stage door and were mobbed for autographs.  Mukhamedov was the one no-one except us recognised and we got his autograph on our cast sheets! 

[LinMM]

Don Q Fan I had the opposite reaction from Natalia Makarova(quite a few years ago now) when I had a chance to get her autograph and the only thing I had for her to sign was a copy of Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell which I was reading at the time. She seemed to find this amusing and laughed and then spent some time looking at the photos in the book!! And gave me a lovely smile as she handed it back. So now a doubly cherished copy.

[audsjcanuck]

Thanks all. I'm sure dd will want to wait as long as it takes! Didn't think about lugging the cam around but as an amateur photographer and tourist, I imagine I'll have it with me anyways. Having tea at Savoy before the ballet and must take pics there too

[Stirrups36]

My son treasures his pic with him in between Osipova and Vasiliiev taken recently after Laurencia They were courteous although obviously tired.

 

All his pals at Ballet school are very envious.

 

There were abut 30 or so there and some were not so polite. One woman almost grabbed them, thrust a camera into my hands and demanded 'take our picture, take our picture". So she has a photo now of a stunned looking pair, plus her... Although I think my camera work wasn't too good and I might just have cut her in half!

[Don Q Fan]

I have some some lovely pics too of N&I but no idea how to post on here - other forums I frequent are as easy as click a paper clip browse and select but this forum does not seem to have that facility sadly. 

[KathyG]

My DS did London ChildrenBallet the year Irek Mukhamedov did the choreography and I remember how he came into the boys dressing room.with a large pile of programmes and proceeded to.sign everyone of them and he said you should always make time to.sign autographs for.those who.support you.

[alison]

I have some some lovely pics too of N&I but no idea how to post on here - other forums I frequent are as easy as click a paper clip browse and select but this forum does not seem to have that facility sadly. 

 

I think there's probably some discussion on this in the "Problems" forum: it's certainly not obvious, which is why I've resorted to uploading them to imgur.com and then linking to them from here.  I suppose most people have flickr accounts or similar.

 

 

Edit: yes, here you are http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/325-posting-in-a-review-and-pictures/  (hoping it's comprehensible)

[MAB]

Not all Russian dancers speak English.  They will happily sign autographs - just present them with your cast sheet and a pen.  If you want a picture though, I think it is polite to ask.  Hold up your camera and say 'Moozhna?' which means 'May I?'  They will appreciate your good manners.

[Don Q Fan]

I think there's probably some discussion on this in the "Problems" forum: it's certainly not obvious, which is why I've resorted to uploading them to imgur.com and then linking to them from here.  I suppose most people have flickr accounts or similar.

 

 

Edit: yes, here you are http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/325-posting-in-a-review-and-pictures/  (hoping it's comprehensible)

Thanks, but it seems like more hassle - I spend enough time managing my photos on the home pc without adding an online account as well LOL!

[threeleftfeet]

Hi, I've read this post with great interest! I'm delighted someone said that RB dancers are happy to give autographs. I have just bought tickets for the first night of R&J at the ROH. I am beyond excitement as my daughter and I have been desperate to see Lauren Cuthbertson dance for years. I am praying she will be recovered and performing. My daughter will be desperate to wait at the stage door to see her and hopefully get an autograph. As it's the first performance I'm assuming she wouldn't be out of the stage door before we would get there would she? My daughter is only 8 so it's going to be a very late night and I don't want her standing around for hours unnecessarily! Any more tips greatly appreciated!

[jm365]

I am sure you will make it to the stage door in time, but just to make sure, ask the stage doorkeeper if Cuthbertson has already left.