Apologies for any offense taken in my post referring to audience members who get up and leave live performances early in a huff when the reason is that they didn't get to see a particular dancer perform, or that some or many aspects of what they were seeing disappointed them. I just happened to be on this particular thread because I had attended this show and if I looked at many forums on this site more frequently, I might see that this happens more than I thought. The principle of the idea and the tone taken just bugged me and I felt compelled to comment, just as a poster or two here was so bothered and wanted to vent about their experience. Whether a world class company or not, performers are human beings who are paid little and giving their all to the crowd sitting there in front of them. I also don't think showing a company hospitality by way of warm reception and respect would ever be taken as "patronizing", even by a group of artists considered world class. Personally, a production would have to be disturbing to me to the point of causing revulsion or fear to warrant not sticking it out for taste reasons and I hardly think this one fits that category, so I was surprised at how offended the poster could have been. But I suppose there are ticket holders who become really casual when they can afford to attend so many performances and see so much and concern for this idea goes out the window. Fortunately, most people stick it out, or imagine how many seats would be empty after intermissions! Maybe this happens all the time?When I said "I find it curious", that is an honest statement and not meant to be aggressive. This is just my opinion. I do think we can all, myself included, re-visit the actual dictionary definition of "cultured" these days, and try to be a bit more of that.
I also agree with abott that the intent was to make it exactly what it was, which was more a spectacle of set design than dancing. The story of Alice in Wonderland is so much about magic and illusion and why not run with that in a ballet this time, especially if someone as talented as Crowley is doing it. We also thought that the reserved and sweet choreography for the solos, as well as the romantic pdd given to Alice made some sense, given her age and character in the 19th century.