Mary

Many arts organisations these days seem to be employing Stanley Unwin to write their press releases - that is, when they are not sending out surveys.

1 hour ago, Sim said:

I agree with others that there is too much messing around for the sisters, and when it isn’t making me laugh it really drags. 

 

...agree and 'drags' is certainly the word!

On 27/03/2023 at 18:39, zxDaveM said:

 

Starter for 10 - just bl**dy fix it so that the important information is available!!!

Spend the money on that, not useless surveys on 'user experience'

I've just had another survey from ROH  - my 3rd in  a month I think..this time about my experience of using my ROH account. I wasn't entirely sure what this covered. Anyway I said all the usual things including a version of Dave's very pertinent remark above....

It's becoming a full time job completing surveys for arts organisations. I had an exhausting one for the National Gallery to do earlier and there are 2 others in my inbox....

Oh alas. RIP James. Your lovely voice gave so much joy and what a sense of fun you had.

I remember recitals when he switched between thrillingly beautiful music to making the whole audience roar with laughter.

It's such a simple idea really -  but makes the most inspired, beautiful moment on stage.

1 hour ago, alison said:

What I shall be interested to find out is how the Jester is being portrayed.  In previous runs of this ballet, there were complaints that he'd lost the sense of pathos the character used to have (the implication being, I think, that the role had turned rather into a showy "tricks machine"?).  Given that the role appears to be being distributed among some of the younger and less dramatically experienced members of the company, I'm wondering how this will turn out.  (And it's also perhaps why I was surprised to see experienced First Soloists performing as one of the Sisters).

I wouldn't say there was a sense of pathos in the performance I saw: the Jester seemed on top of the world mood-wise!

Was there meant to be pathos, and if so, why would that be?

I don't normally like jesters, but I did very much enjoy Taisuke Nakao's ebullient performance and I liked his bright costume very much.

It is absurd for Monahan to be reviewing a performance he has never seen by a performer who has never danced the role !

Equally, for anyone  to criticise the production before actually seeing it is a bit pointless.

I want to let my first viewing settle in my mind, and see it again, before saying more and I hope to read many interesting opinions on here from others  - who have seen the production.

Meanwhile, I think I shall respond to him by criticising his review without actually reading it.

In the theatre, and with the lighting, spring was actually green and yellow and I can't think what would look more spring-like:  with the music and choreography, it was a vision of Spring, danced with sprighly aplomb by Anna-Rose O'Sullivan. Winter was an icy white-blue  and again I thought the theatrical presentation made it entirely clear this was Winter. For summer, the costume was actually red and yellow and accompanied by the projection of roses growing all round the stage which beautifully reminded me of the David Austin stand at the  Chelsea Flower Show! Melissa Hamilton made a luscious summer fairy.

There were things I didn't entirely like last night but  I felt the four seasons fairies sequence worked very well and the costumes were appropriate.

The sets are all beautiful and in keeping, evoking fairy tale splendour. The pumpkin transformation is magical, the gold coach pulled by mice quite gorgeous (another outing for the milk float!)    

Oh and the audience behaved impeccably, managing periods of up to 40 minutes with no food or drink or phones... which  'enhanced my enjoyment' considerably.

I agree Darlex about the wands, which looked wrong....something waved by a toddler at a party. Also the male courtiers' hairstyle was indeed a bit Disney..I was wondering why I didn't like it. 

The lighting at the beginning could go..it doesn't signify. 

But I didn't dislike the fairy costumes .

The stepsisters' dresses were frightful but intentionally so surely. 

I have always felt we get a bit too much of the sisters in this ballet   - and think so still. Not a production issue. Avis and Acri were superb and carried it off..especially Gary Avis: what an actor. But still I got to the point of feeling they had delighted us long enough...

Overall

I had feared much more technical wizardry and was pleased that in fact restraint was shown. 

Agree.

Some special effects but with taste and restraint. It stays true to Ashton's vision I felt. Beautiful moments abound. Much sighing and ah-ing in the amphi.

I don't feel like nitpicking . 

Quite an evening. Marianela Nunez danced quite beautifully ..the affection with Vadim was palpable, their pas de deux put the world on pause. Very special. 

A beautiful production and surely a hit. Spectacular but not over the top. Excellent dancing throughout. 

What a beautiful evenin g...

Saw lots of flowers being unloaded.....

Super cast-  very exciting!

19 hours ago, alison said:

I accidentally turned on BBC Red Button last night to find the skating World Championships were on, so had a great time watching.  I particularly liked the Korean skater Lee, whose first name escapes me at the moment - I thought she was lovely.  Didn't quite win, though.

Thanks so much for alerting me!! I had no idea, but it's all on iplayer so I am happily catching up.

Why this never seems to be publicised is mystifying.

Thank you- so many lovely young dancers in these photos as well as the stars.....

I am greatly looking forward to seeing this, a full evening of Ashton, - and all the interest of a new production to discuss- can't wait.

I had the same reply. It adds insult to injury really.

I agree that the RB should offer some kind of celebration of Ms Seymour's life, work and contribution to their repertoire -  and more than just dedicating a performance as they sometimes do.

I wish ROH would bring back the photo displays in the amphi corridor- that display gave another opportunity to offer tributes which is currently not used. I don't know why.

Beautiful dancing from James Hay- I feel I really do not see enough of this wonderful dancer.

A lovely kind friend has given me a birthday present of a ROH gift voucher:  I note in the email that comes with it they suggest I can use it to make them a donation!

Gave me a laugh.

It isn't a combination of ballet and heavy metal at all- orchestrated music cannot be heavy metal....

What next, a ballet version of This is Spinal Tap? That could be diverting - I am already seeing the Stonehenge and jazz sequences in my mind's eye and I can imagine Carlos saying huskily,  'Hope you like our new direction'.

At least the survey is a good opportunity to give feedback.

I added a comment that I understood the problems, sympathised,  and wanted to support them, but...to be careful not to alienate the regulars.

Also, to consider more matinees and earlier finishes so I could save money on overnight stays.

I just sent an email here: customerrelations@eno.org