ami1436

As a quasi-Londoner, I just wish that all the casting for their season here would finally be officially announced (knowing full-well that it would nonetheless change an infinite number of times thereafter....)

I didn't see Bussell's 'Month' this season, but have heard similar things as to what Sylvia expressed - people felt like they were even watching a different dancer! I now wish I had seen it. I did like her in Requiem as well, and Symphony in C (second movement - but not the finale), but still tend not to like her in more dramatic/acting roles. Drew, your explanation of her dancing is fabulous, and I agree that 'pyrotechnics' is probably not the right word to explain her style. 'Open' is good - but there's something more to it as well. Will have to think....

Could we make that two copies, please???

I replied on the Manon thread before I saw this! Darcey Bussell obviously has her fan base, and she's almost portrayed here as 'the people's dancer' (do other people here in the UK agree with me?), what with her Marks and Spencers adverts and the like. I think she, as a lot of dancers do, also splits the fans a bit. She's a technically strong dancer, but I don't always like her in roles that require more acting. Her 'pyrotechnics' are indeed impressive, and her style has lead many people to wonder if she should have gone for NYCB instead (! and what do NYCB-omanes think of that?). I really enjoyed her in Act III of Raymonda, performed here 2 seasons ago, I think in the Nureyev programme. She was strong, confident, and just a touch remote in a good way. This season, I haven't seen much of her, somewhat on purpose. What I have seen her in has been a mixed bag. I also don't think the Ashton work that has been the centre of this season fully suits her.

No, not at all Bart! And of course she has her fans. I personally haven't seen a lot of her this season, and I tend not to prefer her in roles that require more acting/character. That said, I thought she was excellent in Act III of Raymonda, I think two seasons ago. Giannina, I haven't seen Leanne Benjamin as Manon but I can imagine her being excellent. She'll be dancing it next season, with Jonathan Cope as her partner. Cope also tends to split the fan base, but I consider him an excellent partner. His opening solo in Manon, in the opening night of the run earlier this year, was simply sublime - a gorgeous arabesque, glances at just the right moment, everything. It will be interesting to see these two together in this (although I feel gutted that Japan gets Rojo and Cope together in Manon this summer!).

You are in for a treat - I just saw him in ENB's Romeo and Juliet last night, and while the choreography might not be memorable, it was delivered exquisitely. He also caught my eye in a company class last Saturday. He's got brilliant technique, a very light ballon (I was at the Royal Albert Hall, sitting very near the stage, and could not hear him land, while others were definitely audible), great turns, and a lovely balance. However, I also found him very musical and continuously in motion in the best of ways. Enjoy!

Can I just pop in to say two things: I think Cope also must be used for partnering coaching - I know he was for R&J, and I think for Ondine as well? There's a reason people want to dance with him. Secondly, did anyone else see the final performance of the season on Saturday night? It was splendid... and I even really enjoyed Sylvie Guillem in Month. Usually I don't prefer her in character roles. Her Manon is nice, but I prefer others... and I would never think of her as an 'Ashton' dancer, although 'Marguerite and Armand' might not be the ballet to base that decision on. That said, she had me in Month, as did the entire cast. The whole evening was really really well danced, and both Symphonic and Month ended with curtain calls after the house lights were up... And very sweet hugs and curtain calls with the retiring pianist (to return as a guest), Philip Gammon.

We just did the Fred Step today in a class I take w/ a former SWRB dancer. The pas de bourree is as Leigh described it. So, if facing the front, pique arabesque onto right leg (efface), fondu, coupe fondu developpee seconde (right leg extends), and then ballone into the pas de bourree. The pas de chat was indeed a proper pas de chat, but it was emphasised to us, as it is in the article, that this is the 'basic' and that it appears in variations... hope that helps!

Macaulay also is very passionate about the Fred Step, and frequently demonstrates it at Insight Days at the ROH.... Usually with his bright red shoes on and laces coming undone, causing most of us to fear that he's going to trip and fall off the front of the stage! Thanks for this link!

I agree with NNatalie here, and also wanted to pick up on carbo's comment on the RB corp. While the heights do vary, I actually think the corps has really cleaned itself up in the past few years (under Mason), and this might be in relation to/due to their performance in intensive corps pieces, such as Les Noces and the current Rite of Spring... I thought they were fabulous in the last act of the last Swan Lake I saw as well, and as the fairies in Dream. This is a huge improvement from the messy shades scenes of a few years ago. That all said, the new Bruce ballet (Three Songs, Two Voices) sees a chaotic corps - I don't like the choreography for the corps at all in this, but they performed it messier, but energetically. I don't know if this was intended or because it was new, but I do wonder how that 'look' would work with some of the Balanchine works.

Sylvia - the cast you saw a few months back is the one I saw as well, and I really enjoyed them. Cope's been doing a lot of principal coaching lately - for Dream, Ondine, R&J, etc.... and it seems to be paying off rather well, I think.... Anyways, this is off topic, and I'm not seeing this bill til next week... so will keep reading until then!

The Balanchine discussion is really interesting, especially as an American who now lives in the UK, and who only ever got to see the majority of B's ballets on tape, at a young age... I'm still a relatively new balletomane (whether I'm slinky or not is another story...) That said, people here *love* the RB's Symphony in C, (at least the people I know), and many have also made it the reason to go to the current triple. When it was playing earlier this year, with Rhapsody, is when I saw it, with a very different cast, and I thought it looked spectacular. But, due to my lack of fluency in Balanchine's ballets, I probably wouldn't have noticed the differences the Leigh did. As I mentioned to Leigh, I really want to spend some time in NYC at some point, just to watch (now accepting donations to the ami1436 travel fund... ) I'm trying to think what other Balanchine I've seen the RB do - Agon (with a fab Zen Yanowsky), Prodigal Son, and Apollo... probably some more but those are the ones I most clearly remember. I really enjoyed all, and enjoy the full-length Apollo! But, then again, there are probably some differences that I'm not trained enough to notice.... And now I wish I'd gone to see this cast in S in C, just to see if the casts performed it differently as well. I've also never seen another company do Symphonic, or Enigma Variations, etc... There's some Ashton and MacMillan that I just can't imagine on another company. I even thought there was a huge difference between the Five Brahm Waltzes that BRB did for the Ashton Celebration last year and the performance of it that I saw here with Tamara Rojo... I didn't enjoy it at all the first time around, and loved it with the RB. (Or maybe just with Tamara?). What else might compare? K-Ballet and the RB do Rhapsody *very* differently... At the RB it's more subtle. I think Alexandra's comment on the texture of Ashton holds true there, and also for Wedding Bouquet. All this to say that I've enjoyed what I've seen, and it would probably take a lot of convincing to make me think that what I've thought were masterpieces (to me...) weren't. But then, I also usually like certain casts in certain things, and forever end up doing the comparison as well. Hmm. And as Leigh says, that I'd also rather see things then not... Even if it's not by the 'proper' company or 'proper' dancers, I'd grab any opportunity to see something I haven't. So, do I find things masterpieces simply because I don't know better, or, because, as Mme. Hermine says, something is inherently beautiful about them? I don't know... I think I have to think some more!

May I just add that I really liked Golub when I saw her last? I think in Bayadere... She won a lot of fans in London!

Hiya Fish! Well, when it comes to the stage door at the ROH (or anywhere, for that matter), I seem to turn into a shy 12 year old and never pluck up the courage... That said, many of my friends stay, and often get autographs, or just say their little hellos. From seeing this, the dancers are usually quite obliging! I think, as noted above, the trick is not to wear out your welcome. After the Tsunami Gala one of my friends and I were walking back to the tube stop, as one of my fave male dancers came out of the door. She just went over, as she said, 'he's your favourite, you have to have an autograph.' I turned into butter and couldn't speak, as she took the programme from me, handed it to him, he signed it, handed it back to her, and then she handed it back to me. They even had a little chat. All the while I just stared at my shoes, blushed ferociously, and mumbled a meek thank you.... So, I'd say, go for it! You can't do any worse than I did!

Tamara and Jonathan's bows are like: I could not have gotten through this without you, you are amazing. I love it. And Irek just shows Mara off in the sweetest of ways - you were there at his last Mayerling right? I loved how she then started throwing flowers at him as well... Anyways, the run of Swan Lake is over... and the Dream triple is about to end... and the last triple has started.... maybe it's thus time for a new thread? I don't have tickets again for a while, but I might change this to see Ivan in SV - right now my only ticket is for the other cast - but would love to see him and Lamb together, purely out of curiousity!

If I understand right, this is a 2 act version, yes? I've seen the Royal Ballet's 3 act version that they resurrected this season, and was wondering if anyone has seen both to detail what changes were made and how they play in comparison? Thanks!!!

Oh Sylvia, so am I!!! So, first she got a huge bouquet of flowers, and immediately pulled out a pretty red one and handed it to him. Then, during the curtain calls, he just looked so proud of her, leading her around, etc, and I think kissed her hand? Or her cheek? Or maybe he kissed her cheek later (keep reading!!!) There was a small small flower throw, and Putrov just shed any sense of refined, reserved prince-ness and gathered up all the flowers, unelegantly grabbing the the ones that had fallen on top of the orchestra scrim, and got down on one knee and presented them to her. SIGH. She looked really taken aback and really touched at the same time. Lucky girl!

Sylvia - I agree with you on the idea that Ivan's career is on the up - and yeah, his Act I solo was just fabulous. I don't know why I was disappointed with Marquez, but I hasten to add that it's the first time I've ever been disappointed by her, and thus maybe I had really high expectations! She didn't match Rojo for me (although Marquez's HANDS are amazingly expressive), but I still would rush to watch her! I must say, maybe sucker for theatre that I am, that I loved their bows, and the really charmingly boyish way Ivan scooped up the flowers - not even trying to be elegant about it. So nice!

Carolm - Three Songs is indeed the New Bruce, and yes, you will be seeing Symphony in C. Enjoy! Leigh - it was fabulous to finally meet you last night - I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay and am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the other bills - especially as I'm not seeing the Triple that opens tonight until the last night - the 18th (this darn thing called school....) Am also interested in your SL comparison, and am curious to hear your thoughts on Dream! As you know, I agree with you regarding Putrov. His Spectre is awesome, and I think the performance where I became a Fan. I think he's really come into his own in the past two years, moving beyond his staples (Bronze Idol) to more interesting roles, including Prodigal Son. It'll be interesting to see how his rep develops. I wasn't so happy with Marquez last night - and I usually really like her; her Aurora I think is not to be missed. Last night she seemed more wobbly than usual, and seemed to be intensely concentrating on the floor in Act II - a pity because we missed her hugely expressive eyes. However, my reading of recent performances at the ROH is really hampered by the fact that I haven't been able to attend as much as I usually would in the past few weeks... I wish I could have seen more of the recent debuts, and a larger variety of casts. I really enjoyed seeing these two in Fille though - nice to know that they can also smile once in a while!

Great Sylvia - it will be good to see you again (I haven't been up to London in weeks, and besides, you know I want to see this cast!). Anyways, we'll be upstairs at the regular table/area at first interval, along with a few other regulars!

Well, I am definitely there for Putrov/Marquez - and am really excited about it as well! If you'd like to meet, just drop me a PM - I think there should be some others around as well. Best, Ami

Hi! Was excited when I saw your post, as I'll be there 1 June... don't have my calendar in front of me but think I'm not back there until 15th or so - am saving up money and bus fare for the busy summer season! I might change my mind (it happens often) and come up for a day ticket though.... in any case, looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Wow, the list of Kitris and Basilios, while drool-inducing, also seems to be a bit confusing!!!!

Y'all might want to see the discussion on the dancer's board: http://dancers.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=23494

Bart, Thanks for this head's up! I'm going to try to find this issue in the UK, although the local shops mysteriously stopped stocking it (but it's still on their list as being carried...).