alison Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 As a matter of further interest, Myrthe was Hikaru Kobayashi, Hilarion was Johannes Stepanek Good to know they're still around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Newcombe Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 So The Giselle run has started and we still do not know casting for Myrtha, one of the great roles for big strong dancers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 Just back from opening night. Â Sarah Lamb turned in a beautiful performance under nerve-wracking circumstances. Â Her mad scene was so poignant, those expressive eyes imparting her terror and what she knew, somewhere deep inside, the outcome was going to be. Â Her act two was graceful, redemptive and emotional. Â Sarah is such a trouper, and such a dedicated member of the company. Â In the past two years she has replaced Osipova as Manon, as Juliet and now as Giselle. Â She must be getting used to this, but that doesn't detract from the nerves. Â Tonight, the nerves didn't show, and what WAS shown was the audience's appreciation for this oft-unsung artist. Â Â Matthew Golding was making his debut as Albrecht, also under difficult circumstances. Â He was not expecting to be making his debut with Sarah, and they only had one day of rehearsal time. Â However, you wouldn't have known. Â They danced beautifully together, and there was real chemistry between them. Â Golding is on good form and his dancing was impressive. Â He was feeling the role; Â the joy of act one before it all goes wrong, the abject sadness, the guilt, coming face to face with death and then the chance of living his life....it was all there. Â His partnering was assured and caring, and I really enjoyed watching him. Â Â Now, to Tierney Heap as Myrthe. Â Wow, wow, wow. Â She was one of the best I have seen. Â She was a little tentative for the first couple of minutes, but then an explosion of fantastic dancing and interpretation. Â She was perfect. Â She terrified me. Â She is the scariest Myrthe since Monica Mason and Marianela Nunez. Â I loved the way a very slight, mocking smile played upon her lips when Giselle begged her for Albrecht's life. Â 'Are you serious? Â You DARE to even ASK? Â HA. No way.' Â She was superb and I can't wait to see her again. Â Â The pas de six was Hayward, Naghdi, Choe, Campbell, Sambe and Acri. Â They were all brilliant. Â Capybara mentioned above the sequence with Naghdi and Hayward. Â They were superb tonight. Â I was in awe at how their feet were exactly together through all those difficult battements and entrechats, Â Acri and Sambe proved again what a great partnership they are, and how wonderful to see Choe and Campbell dance together again. Â Â Lovely dancing by Beatriz Stix-Brunell as Zulme and Olivia Cowley as Moyne, and once again I can't praise the corps highly enough. Â They were totally bewitching and beautful, soft but hard as the Wilis should be. Â Â An impressive start to this run of Giselle, and I am really looking forward to the other casts. Â A huge thank you to Sarah and Matthew for turning what could have been a disappointing night for many people into a very special one. Â This is indeed how it is supposed to happen. 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nina G. Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Wow wow wow NAGHDI and HAYWARD!!!!  What a duo, what an amazing synchronisation these two dancers have, they danced as one and I can't wait to see them again. That pas de six is simply unforgettable, Sambe and Acre were equally impressive. Heap was a superb Myrthe, tentative in the beginning but she grew into the  role.   Golding was better in Act 2 and I really liked him. Sarah Lamb danced beautifully too, not my favourite Giselle but all credit to her. The Corps deserves a mention too, they were wonderful.  I wish all the dancers a well-deserved mid-Season break, they have given me much pleasure since the beginning of the Season. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Seems really rather weird having 2 Giselles effectively shoehorned into the last 2 days of the company's schedule pre-break, doesn't it? Just enough time to get going, and then they stop again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 I was saying that very thing to someone tonight Alison! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Just read through last night's Twitter. At the end one person thought they had been watching Osipova. Note to self, don't trust Twitter reports without corroboration 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 This does not surprise me in the least Geoff. Â i have often told the story of a BRB performance of R&J where Monica Zamora was Juliet up to and including the ballroom scene and Sandra Madgwick took over from the balcony scene. Â Monica Zamora was tall and dark and Sandra Madgwick was small and blonde. Â Quite a few people in the audience did not seem to realise that the ballerina had changed mid-act! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Great review, Sim! Thank you. It's almost as good as being there. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Thank you Fiz! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 and what about Osipova ?  is she seriously injured ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 The official announcement on the ROH website only mentions last night's performance: Â http://www.roh.org.uk/news/cast-change-sarah-lamb-to-dance-in-giselle-on-26-february-2016 Â Best wishes to Ms Osipova for a speedy recovery. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneMarriott Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 This does not surprise me in the least Geoff. Â i have often told the story of a BRB performance of R&J where Monica Zamora was Juliet up to and including the ballroom scene and Sandra Madgwick took over from the balcony scene. Â Monica Zamora was tall and dark and Sandra Madgwick was small and blonde. Â Quite a few people in the audience did not seem to realise that the ballerina had changed mid-act! Â We were there too and were a bit nonplussed, having driven to Birmingham specifically to see Monica's debut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 Excellent performance last night- taking it all-in-all I don't think I've seen a better RB Giselle. The corps were on top form, together, precise and dramatic in Act 2. A really good pas de six-Ball-in particular, with especially his noble arms-Takada, Hay, Harrod,Hinkis, Donnelly. Helen Crawford was a convincing Myrtha, (and I remember some rather weak and sloppy ones in the last RB run.) McRae's increasingly despairing leaps as he was danced to death were a highlight. He and Salenko look very good together. She strongly contrasted the two acts very effectively, and danced with passion. A really superb evening. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl H Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 I also enjoyed last night's Giselle very much, thought I might be getting tired of it but it looked well danced and fresh, pleased to see Iana Salenko and Steven McRae , ever since I saw Iana in Two Pigeons I had been trying to get a ticket for her Giselle and was not disappointed, she looked so pale and fragile, she obviously brings out the best in Steven McRae who was very moving at the end. Great cast all round, Akane Takada and James Hay leading the pas de six, Helen Crawford in one of her best roles as Myrthe, and leading Wilis Emma Maguire and Yasmine Naghdi, whose short solo was a perfect vision of the Romantic ballet! I was surprised to see Valentino Zuchetti as a younger than usual Hilarion but it made a change.  Glad I have several more casts to see now, and from the lovely reviews of Sarah Lamb I hope to see her if Natalia Osipova is still injured. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 I was at the Lamb/Golding/Heap performance on Friday evening, and I completely agree with Sim's review above. I had never seen Sarah Lamb in this role before, and she took my breath away. Absolutely exquisite dancing and wonderful acting. She was the epitome of loving, trusting goodness in Act 1, followed by the terrible realisation of betrayal. Unlike almost all the other Giselles I have seen, she didn't appear to injure/kill herself with the sword - rather she died of her broken heart, and nearly broke mine too. Her Act 2 was profoundly moving. When Albrecht lay on the floor in guilt and sorrow, she danced slowly and gently in a circle around him, as if spinning a web of care, love and protection to shield him from evil. And later, she stood in deep arabesque in the centre of the stage, absolutely still for a moment. Like a still point in a turning world - a brief image of truth and beauty. Stunning. Golding was an honest (in one sense!) and passionate Albrecht, and they did really well together given the very short rehearsal time. And he really really did need Giselle's protection in Act 2! Heap was amazingly powerful and malevolent - more vital and womanly than Myrthe usually is, and all the more striking for it. Behind the little smile you could sense a woman who has been betrayed too, and has NOT been able to forgive; but she senses Giselle's goodness and is almost tempted to relent, until her heart hardens again and she turns her back (literally) on them. Tragic. What a wonderful performance. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 I find it hard to credit that Friday’s show was only Sarah Lamb's third performance as Giselle. The last revivals were in 2008, 2011 and 2014: in 2008 she was slated to perform but broke her foot, in 2011 she wasn't cast, in 2014 she had two performances with Steven McRae. That's it. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesrhblack Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 I find it hard to credit that Friday’s show was only Sarah Lamb's third performance as Giselle. The last revivals were in 2008, 2011 and 2014: in 2008 she was slated to perform but broke her foot, in 2011 she wasn't cast, in 2014 she had two performances with Steven McRae. That's it. And she had, of course, been cast for only one public performance in this run ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 I find it hard to credit that Friday’s show was only Sarah Lamb's third performance as Giselle. The last revivals were in 2008, 2011 and 2014: in 2008 she was slated to perform but broke her foot, in 2011 she wasn't cast, in 2014 she had two performances with Steven McRae. That's it.  I find that unbelievable, considering she has been a Principal for 10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 For those suffering from Osipova deprivation there's a very nice collection of photos on the Ballet Association website of Act I of Giselle taken by Jennie Walton when the Bolshoi came to London in 2010. There are enough images in the gallery to give a complete narrative though it's a pity that the photocall didn't cover both acts.  (The gallery uses Flash so won't be viewable on an iPad or iPhone.) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane S Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Casting now shows Nunez dancing Myrthe at the remaining Osipova/Golding performances Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthE Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) Hmmmm. Can't see it yet...  (Edited to add - oh yes, sorry - I was looking in the wrong place. EXCELLENT. Thought she'd retired the role!)  I also found myself thinking earlier on that I do hope Laura Morera is getting on OK with recovering from her injury and will be able to dance her scheduled performances of the title role... Edited March 4, 2016 by RuthE 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Casting now shows Nunez dancing Myrthe at the remaining Osipova/Golding performances Wow....what a cast that will be, if it comes off. So pleased that Nela is still dancing Myrthe as she is wonderful in that role. Â I too hope very much that Laura has recovered by the time she is scheduled to dance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesrhblack Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Wow....what a cast that will be, if it comes off. So pleased that Nela is still dancing Myrthe as she is wonderful in that role.I too hope very much that Laura has recovered by the time she is scheduled to dance. Great to see Myrthe casting being announced - it's such a difficult and important role and great that Nunez will reprise it, although sadly I won't be there to see. Very pleased that Mendizabal will do the cinema relay, I'm sure she will be wonderful too. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Casting now shows Nunez dancing Myrthe at the remaining Osipova/Golding performances Great. That's something I thought I'd never see again. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 A lovely review of the first night from To the Pointe: Â http://tothepointemagazine.wix.com/tothepointemagazine#!Lamb-To-The-Slaughter-I-Think-Not/cmbz/56d757b80cf2bc6add167c15 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Indeed it is. Many thanks, Janet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 It would appear from the casting on ROH website that Osipova is replaced by Lamb on 17 March (and her cast for Strapless tomorrow has changed to the Cuthbertson cast). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Wall Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Casting now shows Lamb in place of Osipova for 17.3 in title role. (Has this been mentioned before?) How lucky the RB is to have Lamb. Very much hope Osipova will recover soon. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 I wonder if Osipova will manage to do her final Giselle. I guess time will tell. Thank the ballet gods for dancers like Sarah Lamb. I for one am very much looking forward to seeing her again...and I pray to those same gods that we get Tierney Heap as Myrthe again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 17th is Nuñez as Myrthe. Heap is down for April 9 and 15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Thanks John....ah well, can't complain at Nunez!! And I have a ticket for the 15th, so all is well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 A lovely review of the first night from To the Pointe: Â http://tothepointemagazine.wix.com/tothepointemagazine#!Lamb-To-The-Slaughter-I-Think-Not/cmbz/56d757b80cf2bc6add167c15 Â And this review includes a lovely, timely tribute to the artistry of Sarah Lamb. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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