J_New Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Really lovely photos, Dave! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Just back from London. A lovely Giselle last night which must have been particularly special for Akane Takada and Benjamin Ella. The audience were also very much taken with their performance and there’s a fabulous photo from bangorballetboy on Instagram of their curtain call hug! I thought it was so good to see a young Albrecht, clearly in love with Giselle and not, as often seems to be the case, a Count playing fast and loose. I thought particularly touching was how Albrecht had to be man handled away from Giselle at the end of Act 1. And the love, regret, guilt were all palpable in Act 2. He deserved Giselle’s final parting gift of one flower as the curtain slowly fell, as well as the one Akane gave him from her bouquet at curtain call. I was delighted for Akane that she had a partner who treated her with such tenderness. She was an exquisite Giselle, just as she was in the previous revival. Other real strengths were Bennet Gartside’s Hilarion and Kristen McNally’s Berthe. I thought Claire Calvert’s Myrtha grew in strength and very much enjoyed Olivia Crowley and Bea Stix-Brunell as Myrtha’s attendants. Hilarion has no chance when confronted by these three, and the fabulous Corp de Ballet. And we know that Albrecht too would yield but for Giselle’s protection. I also enjoyed Mayara Magri in leading the Pas de Six but I recall stronger performances of this set of dances. A final word of thanks to Koen Kessels, the ROH Orchestra and particularly the lead viola player, Amélie Roussel?, whose Act 2 solos were utterly ravishing. I think I might well have passed her in Floral Street but by the time I realised it was too late to offer my thanks. What a treat we have in store in February when Giselle returns with the prospect of special debuts and I'm sure more stunning performances. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamk Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 I must admit I would never have thought of Ben Ella as a replacement for Steven McRae. Nothing to do with his dancing which impressed me recently as Hans Peter but that Albrecht is such a monumental role in every sense : solos, partnering, and acting, it requires incredible stamina. All of which makes his debut yesterday so impressive. Because he looks very young I think he had to work extra hard to be convincing. I was standing close to the stage and it helped considerably that even from his first entrance he looked comfortable, if he was feeling the pressure of the occasion, it didn’t show from my vantage point. His solo dancing was pretty much faultless: tidy landings, everything cleanly finished. His partnering looked secure - the Act 2 high overhead lift, no problem and again 30 seconds later, no problem ! His acting was credible, I mean you wouldn’t expect it to be full of every little nuance at this stage, but he definitely has presence. Very very promising indeed for him. IMO Akane was wonderful - as well as being completely secure technically she brings a lovely softness and musicality to her dancing and her arms are exquisite. Clare Calvert’s Myrtha was everything you want that role to be, she’s really blossomed over the last couple of years and with that has come an increased confidence in her dancing. The corps also were very impressive. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Dave what glorious photos. They tell us all we need to know about how special this is going to be. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Agree about the lovely pics and with Nina G in particular about the last one....really moving ..think Yasmine is going to be great. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MargaretN7 Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 I'm going to wait until I've seen more, but so far three different Bathildes, all excellent and all so different. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odyssey Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Stunning photos that capture the emotional charge of a very special rehearsal performance. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyTaylor Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 I went to see the Takada / Ella performance last night. Not a specific choice but because I was going with a friend who can only do Saturdays. I was interested when I saw Ella had been chosen to replace Steven McRae. It's always good to see new young talent come through. I also was keen to see Akane, who I met at an RB event and was totally charmed by her. I thought the 1st act was slow to take off. Akane's dancing was superb but I really had to readjust my ideas to Ben Ella as such a young Albrecht. Nothing wrong with that, but I couldn't feel a depth in his performance initially. The pas de six was not best executed with the exception of Mayara Magri who shows much promise. It is a fiendish set of dances, and everyone has to cut their teeth! I was delighted to see Bennett Gartside as Hilarion and Kristen McNally's Berthe because at that point, I felt the cast needed their experience on stage. My overall verdict of Act 1 was underpowered. All changed for me in Act 2. The corps de ballet were superb and the 3 main dancers also excellent. The scene was set for Giselle to appear and Akane's initial rotations when she first appears were stunning. Ben Ella then came into his own for me. All his dancing was superb. Clear cut, precise, athletic, stunning and the audience reaction reflected this. The pdds were equally excellent - Akane appeared to float across the stage. The emotion was now radiating off the stage. A delight - and lovely to see something that was very different from the norm. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 9 hours ago, zxDaveM said: I was at the rehearsal with the Yasmine Naghdi / Matthew Ball cast this week - here are some photos. They were utterly glorious! Yasmine Naghdi, Matthew Ball © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Yasmine Naghdi, Matthew Ball © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Yasmine Naghdi, Matthew Ball © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr See more... Set from DanceTabs: RB - Giselle (2018 - Naghdi/Ball) Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr By kind Permission of The Royal Opera House So, so lucky! I'm going on the 10th. Unbelievably excited. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos 💐 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 The first photograph in The Times "news in pictures" is rather lovely: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/news-in-pictures-czzv2nmbw Head over to the links forum to read the 5* review! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josephine Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 This review by Simon Parris includes several curtain call images of Akane Takada and Benjamin Ella: https://simonparrismaninchair.com/2018/01/21/the-royal-ballet-giselle-review-2018-benjamin-ella/amp/ 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nina G. Posted January 22, 2018 Author Share Posted January 22, 2018 I didn't see this performance but it is admirable that Mr O'Hare has given this young dancer such a great opportunity. I believe Benjamin Ella has struggled with recurrent injuries since he joined the RB and to be able to make a come back as Albrecht is just wonderful. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 He did at least one very good performance as Hans-Peter in The Nutcracker, along with Isabella Gasparini, last month (or possibly right at the beginning of this one). But yes, after all his injury problems it's good to see some progress. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTL Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Just a quick observation, as no one has yet mentioned last Saturday's matinee: Sarah Lamb and Ryoichi Hirano were the leads and I thought they made a very effective, intense partnership, one of the most moving I've seen in my 40 years of ballet-going. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josephine Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 1 hour ago, Grand Tier Left said: Just a quick observation, as no one has yet mentioned last Saturday's matinee: Sarah Lamb and Ryoichi Hirano were the leads and I thought they made a very effective, intense partnership, one of the most moving I've seen in my 40 years of ballet-going. I love the sense of fragility which Sarah Lamb gives to Giselle, and I thought she and Ryoichi Hirano made the close of Act II exceptionally moving on Saturday. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buflesse Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 I agree that the pas de six was a bit weak on Saturday night and I’m sure I saw one of the dancers stumble just before finishing a routine. Is it just luck of the draw as we had Naghdi and Campbell on opening night in the pas de six but no principals this time? Magri was very good though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 7 hours ago, Nina G. said: I didn't see this performance but it is admirable that Mr O'Hare has given this young dancer such a great opportunity. I believe Benjamin Ella has struggled with recurrent injuries since he joined the RB and to be able to make a come back as Albrecht is just wonderful. It has been great to see Benjamin Ella taking ever more prominent roles and moving up the rankings in the last couple of years. I remember him well as a member of an outstanding year at the Royal Ballet School (Muntagirov, Dyer, Stock, Kase, Badenes among others) which graduated in 2009. Unfortunately, his injury during an RBS performance in the Linbury took him out of dancing Oberon on the main stage. But now he seems to be catching up fast with his peers. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 I thought Muntagirov had been first cast for Oberon - was I wrong? (I know he was injured too) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Some more photos - this time from the General Rehearsal, featuring Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell Alexander Campbell © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Francesca Hayward © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Alexander Campbell, Francesca Hayward © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr See more... Set from DanceTabs: RB - Giselle (2018 - Hayward/Campbell) Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr By kind Permission of The Royal Opera House 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 22 hours ago, Sim said: Dave what glorious photos. They tell us all we need to know about how special this is going to be. It was all I could do not to shed tears! At a rehearsal! Bring tissues.... 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Wall Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Brilliant, Dave. This looks HISTORIC!! So glad I've got my place 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MargaretN7 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, alison said: I thought Muntagirov had been first cast for Oberon - was I wrong? (I know he was injured too) I think I remember Muntagirov saying Ben Ella was first cast and he was second cast. They each had one leg injured (so there was an uninjured pair between them, but that might have been a bit difficult to negotiate! ) Vadim said it must have looked a bit strange when the two of them hobbled up to collect their awards at RBS. Edited January 22, 2018 by MargaretN7 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesrhblack Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 I am so looking forward to this. The pictures are beautiful and Hayward and Campbell look so good together. I still cannot believe that initially he wasn’t cast... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelm Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 I was wondering if anybody could tell me anything more about Moyna and Zulme? I realise they are "lead Wilis' as such, but seeing as they have names, I thought there might be a bit more to their characters as far as the story background goes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 One was originally a bayadere, I believe - was the other an odalisque? Back in the days when the Wilis came from all over. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 18 hours ago, MargaretN7 said: I think I remember Muntagirov saying Ben Ella was first cast and he was second cast. They each had one leg injured (so there was an uninjured pair between them, but that might have been a bit difficult to negotiate! ) Vadim said it must have looked a bit strange when the two of them hobbled up to collect their awards at RBS. Not only one of the most beautiful dancers I have ever seen, but the man has a sense of humour, and doesn't take himself too seriously. What a combination! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Dancer Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 On 23/01/2018 at 04:36, zxDaveM said: Some more photos - this time from the General Rehearsal, featuring Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell Oh my goodness! That second photo breaks my heart.... So much to look forward from the different casts... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesrhblack Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 On 22/01/2018 at 21:02, Bruce Wall said: Brilliant, Dave. This looks HISTORIC!! So glad I've got my place The phot5ographs of Hayward and Campbell are just exquisite and I’ve been pondering as to why they are so very moving. For what it is worth, I would say that both dancers have, in a medium based on movement, a remarkable stillness and an ability to encapsulate emotion in a moment. Perhaps that is why they photograph so well, as well as being beautifully matched physically. A non dance loving industry friend commented on the tenderness which which AC holds FH in the famous arabesque pose from Act 2:: it really does read as his holding on to her spirit not her body. Even more than that, there seems an absorption in character and moment that moves beyond dance to a wider emotional field. I’m enchanted by the pictures, deeply touched too, and am very pleased that I will see them in motion next month. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted February 5, 2018 Share Posted February 5, 2018 I saw Takada/Ella tonight - what a wonderful performance. Her dancing was beautiful throughout. After the porcelain delicacy of her opening scenes, she seemed to become transparent as the life drained out of her during the mad scene, which was quiet, almost reflective, as if the horror of what she was experiencing was too great to be fully expressed. And in Act 2 she was the epitome of grace and goodness, forgiving and supporting Albrecht without question, and so also winning her own final repose. In forgiveness we not only give but also receive redemption. And I really enjoyed Ella's performance - excellent dancing, and a very credible and touching portrayal of Albrecht as a young, foolish but sincere lover who got way out of his depth and then wanted desperately to turn back the clock. I also loved Fumi Kaneko as Myrtha - light, beautiful and slightly wild. Chillingly happy whilst going about her evil. But also, somewhere, a sense of loss; the knowledge that Giselle's is the better way. Because both Takada and Kaneko were so light, so fast, so exquisite, it made me realise that without her forgiveness, Giselle could have turned into a Myrtha. Slight echoes of Odette/Odile, and adding layers of significance that were very moving. Hilarion was danced by Kevin Emerton - new to me, and I thought very impressive. Full of character and with a strong stage presence, and so full of remorse for his behaviour when he realised its terrible consequences. And a mention for Moyna and Zulme - Olivia Cowley and Beatriz Stix-Brunell (last-minute cast changes) - who ran on for their entry so quickly that it was positively terrifying, as if they really were spirit creatures who didn't need the ground beneath them. Poor old Hilarion. 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 A wonderful night indeed. You could really feel the emotion between Akane and Ben. They were beautiful together, on a par in every way. I agree with everything BridieM says above. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMballet Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Thank you for the lovely and evocative review Bridiem! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamk Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 10 hours ago, bridiem said: I saw Takada/Ella tonight - what a wonderful performance. Her dancing was beautiful throughout. After the porcelain delicacy of her opening scenes, she seemed to become transparent as the life drained out of her during the mad scene, which was quiet, almost reflective, as if the horror of what she was experiencing was too great to be fully expressed. And in Act 2 she was the epitome of grace and goodness, forgiving and supporting Albrecht without question, and so also winning her own final repose. In forgiveness we not only give but also receive redemption. And I really enjoyed Ella's performance - excellent dancing, and a very credible and touching portrayal of Albrecht as a young, foolish but sincere lover who got way out of his depth and then wanted desperately to turn back the clock. I also loved Fumi Kaneko as Myrtha - light, beautiful and slightly wild. Chillingly happy whilst going about her evil. But also, somewhere, a sense of loss; the knowledge that Giselle's is the better way. Because both Takada and Kaneko were so light, so fast, so exquisite, it made me realise that without her forgiveness, Giselle could have turned into a Myrtha. Slight echoes of Odette/Odile, and adding layers of significance that were very moving. Hilarion was danced by Kevin Emerton - new to me, and I thought very impressive. Full of character and with a strong stage presence, and so full of remorse for his behaviour when he realised its terrible consequences. And a mention for Moyna and Zulme - Olivia Cowley and Beatriz Stix-Brunell (last-minute cast changes) - who ran on for their entry so quickly that it was positively terrifying, as if they really were spirit creatures who didn't need the ground beneath them. Poor old Hilarion. I agree with all your lovely comments about the characterisations. The quality of the dancing from Takada, Ella and Kaneko was exceptionally high. The Act 2 pdd was remarkable for the synchronisation between Takada & Ella: all three of the cross stage jumps were executed and landed EXACTLY together ! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 I was sorry, though, not to see Chisato Katsura in her announced role as one of Myrtha's lieutenants - can't remember which. Presumably they were short of dancers in the corps last night. I hope I'll get a chance to see her later in the run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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