Ondine

The first of the two forms part of a chosen selection of eight Omnibus programmes. Not all of Omnibus sadly is on iplayer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007z7k9/episodes/player https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b007z7k9/omnibus All eight are listed there. The Diaghilev one is the last.

That was so interesting. If you missed it worth a catchup. It featured Joe Sissens, Francisco Serrano, Marianna Tsembenhoi of the Royal Ballet, Rebecca Myles Stewart student at the Royal Ballet School, Joseph Toonga choreographer and curator of the celebration of Black History Month for the Royal Ballet. They were in conversation with Kenneth Tharp, a warm and engaging host. The Insight began with a performance by Rebecca Myles Stewart of a piece she danced for the RBS Lynn Seymour Award for Expressive Dance. Highly recommended!

Thought I'd flag this as it's tonight. 7.45. Part of this: https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/festival/rhythm-in-resilience-festival-details YouTube stream link

I think the BFI holds a copy https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmItems/153231610 Sadly it's not easily viewable on the internet as Part One is.

Ah. Laptop gave me a page and a refresh gave me the next part. Doesn't always work. Sometimes I manage to copy. Here is an extract. A worrying new strain was spotted last week at the Savoy Theatre on the opening night of the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Sunset Boulevard, starring former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. Not only did the audience leap to their feet at the end of the show, as is now wearingly common, but up they got at the end of each of Scherzinger’s songs. At one point I, resolutely sitting down, feared that the show would still be going on come breakfast the next day. Just a handful of years ago, a standing ovation in British theatre marked an Olympian feat, a once-in-a-generation achievement. Audiences awarded them so infrequently that when they did happen, they truly meant something. I can still recall with pinpoint clarity the very first preview performance of Alan Bennett’s play The History Boys, which would subsequently go on to award-winning international acclaim.

Yes. When that happens if I'm quick I take a screenshot. (Apologies, three posts in a row I agree is OTT!)

Yes, we both posted the same thought at the same time!

It works for me. Thanks. Yes I posted a link to a Guardian piece about standing ovations on the Don Q thread. I do wonder if some audience members now see shows as not only about the performers but also requiring audience participation and so it needs to be also all about them. I know ballet has always featured applause for solos etc and a bow or curtsey from the performers but really, no-one needs to disrupt the 'flow of the show' by standing and cheering each one. Some people need to catch trains and tubes and that includes performers and theatre staff, prolonging shows in this way is really not needed is it? Or is it?

I was searching for the story Frederick Ashton told about Anna Pavlova and her total performance at stage doors, certainly a choreographed appearance, with furs, flowers and, crucially, a waiting car to whisk her off and this thread popped up. Perhaps Leeds wasn't a glamorous enough venue for the full works! There are many fascinating tales of stage door encounters (and standing ovations) earlier in this thread, from way back in 2014.

As I said yesterday... ...in today's Links. Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons: the cult play about words becomes a ballet https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/oct/17/royal-ballet-sam-steiner-lemons-the-hit-play-about-words-now-a-ballet

I think that must be one of the most beautuful tutus I've ever seen. I love these photos as I get a close up of the wonderful craftsmanship, the detailed design! A friend, a long time ago, had her wedding dress made by a friend of hers who worked making costumes for the ROH and it was superb. Such skill, such talent.

https://www.equity.org.uk/news/2023/save-our-eno-campaign-opposes-dramatic-proposed-cuts-to-singers-contracts

Nothing to do with Don Q but a lighthearted piece here from the Guardian re standing ovations. Let's hope they don't become a 'thing' after every solo and PDD that an audience particularly enjoyed! https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/oct/17/the-applause-clause-why-are-standing-ovations-suddenly-obligatory

There''s a piece in today's Guardian (online) published 20.00 presumably will be in tomorrow's Links @Jan McNulty so I won't link, by David Jay, re The Limit Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons: the cult play about words becomes a ballet When a principal at the Royal Ballet asked to adapt his drama about imposed verbal limits, playwright Sam Steiner was all in. ‘There are things dance does better,’ he says

Beautiful theatre, Matcham, not the largest of stages! https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/about-us/venues/the-matcham-society

I have and it is indeed highly recommended!

Serenade. The first ballet Balanchine made in America. The first ballet danced by countless apprentices on the NYCB stage. The first ballet the Company performed after its 19-month pandemic-driven hiatus. Much like its choreography, the significance of Serenade within the ballet canon begs no explanation. Here, several generations of New York City Ballet artists express its significance to their personal artistry.

How dreadfully sad. Wishing him well and hope he makes a good recovery. He must be devastated after all the time he has spent away from dancing with his previous injury. https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_torn-acl.asp

The ROH usually anounces what is on the next day on its Twitter feed (or X if you're Elon but to me it's still Twitter). Experience an exciting programme of free lunchtime performances inspired by the heritage of the Royal Opera House and its operas and ballets. Artists from The Royal Opera, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet and a range of guest artists perform in the newly opened-up spaces of the Royal Opera House. Live at Lunch events are free. You will not be charged for attending. These recitals are not ticketed. Admittance is subject to capacity and seating is unreserved. The one on 27th October 2023 has been announced well in advance as it is part of the Black History Month festival. Island Movements tells the story of Windrush and explores its impact of this generation’s experiences of family, community and society. It aims to radically reimagine what Black British Ballet could be for a new generation: powerful, relevant and rooted in their experiences and culture. This performance is choreographed by Darren Panton and Patrick Williams, with music by Kinetika Bloco. This is a free event and it’s encouraged that people arrive early to secure a spot.

The latest in this fascinating series from Kathryn Morgan

An update

Here is a link to the Insight event.

Enjoy!

Thanks for that, the header doesn't do it justice does it? And the music!! To celebrate International Dance Day, "Nuit Romaine," directed by Angelin Preljocaj and set in the Palazzo Farnese in Rome, follows the story of the goddess of the night, Nox, who comes to the Palazzo Farnese, bringing darkness and mystery into this place of power. Mesmerizing costumes by Maria Grazia Chiuri extend the movements of the dancers, with the site’s sculptures seemingly coming to life to interpret stories of love and passion. © Produced in collaboration with the French Embassy and the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, whose ballet director Eleonora Abbagnato is featured alongside ballet star Friedemann Vogel.