bangorballetboy Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 1 hour ago, Sim said: It sounds like you are consigning her to the character roles already, FionaE! I am sure she has many more purely dance roles to come. I don't think one slightly off performance shows a lack of confidence; she might just have been feeling a bit unwell. She had after all been replaced as a peasant girl, indicating something not quite right. I have admired her dancing this whole year and was delighted when she got her well-deserved promotion. As I mentioned above, Pajdak WAS NOT replaced as the peasant girl. She was excellent in this role during the matinée. I also agree that a bit of a wobble on the first day back after the Christmas break counts for naught in what was a beautifully emotional Prayer. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 19 minutes ago, Dawnstar said: Given she has played the Nurse in R&J, isn't that a bit of a kiss of death as far as aspiring to do lead roles goes? Has anyone ever played the Nurse & then gone on to do Juliet? I don't think anyone was ever suggesting she was in line for Juliet. Anyway, am I misremembering, or was it not Pajdak who was leading out the Shades in La Bayadère last time around? You don't do that if your arabesque is generally unreliable. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobR Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 17 hours ago, Sim said: I agree Bridie. I find Hinkis’ arms leaden and her dancing lumpen, especially in the classical roles. I’m sorry to say that I think this criticism is too personal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted December 30, 2019 Author Share Posted December 30, 2019 33 minutes ago, alison said: I don't think anyone was ever suggesting she was in line for Juliet. Anyway, am I misremembering, or was it not Pajdak who was leading out the Shades in La Bayadère last time around? You don't do that if your arabesque is generally unreliable. She did, and in every performance. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted December 30, 2019 Author Share Posted December 30, 2019 15 minutes ago, RobR said: I’m sorry to say that I think this criticism is too personal Why? I am commenting on my perception of her dancing technique. There’s nothing personal about it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Talking generally about wobbling in arabesque, in the Prayer solo, (or indeed in any solo that requires prefect balances) it must be a nightmare for a dancer who, for whatever reason, doesn't get the balance quite right the first time and then fails to nail it the second time. What pressure there must be with a third or fourth one looming over them. While it is annoying for the audience to see a less than perfect performance, it must be a ghastly experience for the performer. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 2 hours ago, Sim said: It sounds like you are consigning her to the character roles already, FionaE! I am sure she has many more purely dance roles to come. I don't think one slightly off performance shows a lack of confidence; she might just have been feeling a bit unwell. She had after all been replaced as a peasant girl, indicating something not quite right. I have admired her dancing this whole year and was delighted when she got her well-deserved promotion. Of course I was not consigning her to character performances quite yet! Although I am glad someone else pointed out her portrayal of the Nurse in R&J which I had also noticed. Not everyone is destined to become a principal and it is probably already too late for Romany. Having said that she has a number of years to be a fine soloist, and possibly get a chance at some principal roles. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Mayara Magri is marvellous 😍👏 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobR Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 2 hours ago, Sim said: Why? I am commenting on my perception of her dancing technique. There’s nothing personal about it. I must have misread your original post and, as a consequence, misunderstood it. I am happy to stand corrected and apologise. It was just that I thought that you were generally criticising her and/or her dancing as 'leaden' and 'lumpen' with regard to all her performances and not just that in Coppelia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 2 hours ago, Fonty said: Talking generally about wobbling in arabesque, in the Prayer solo, (or indeed in any solo that requires prefect balances) it must be a nightmare for a dancer who, for whatever reason, doesn't get the balance quite right the first time and then fails to nail it the second time. What pressure there must be with a third or fourth one looming over them. While it is annoying for the audience to see a less than perfect performance, it must be a ghastly experience for the performer. . . Indeed. It must be an awful feeling. On top of trying to do a decent job and not fall over in the actual performance, there must the thought in your head of ‘I’ve been given this chance and if it goes wrong, I might not be given another’. The mental challenge is as a tough as the physical challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Sim said: She did, and in every performance. Yes, indeed. Quality and reliable dancer on many occasions Edited December 30, 2019 by FionaE Clarification 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 for César 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Another terrific performance of Coppelia this afternoon. Cesar Corrales made a great rogue of Franz with impeccable comic timing, projection and buoyant technique. Loved him! And I loved having a matinee audience around me really laughing over his Act 1 antics. Mayara Magri once again showed what an excellent all-rounder she is. I really liked her interpretation of Swanhilda which, like her partner's, was natural and believable. For me, Thomas Whitehead (on his debut in the role) hit the spot with Dr Coppelius as he captured the all-important pathos which has somehow eluded the other casts. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 (edited) 39 minutes ago, capybara said: For me, Thomas Whitehead (on his debut in the role) hit the spot with Dr Coppelius as he captured the all-important pathos which has somehow eluded the other casts. I thought that too. He was the first Coppelius who I felt a pang for at the end of Act 2. I thought Magri & Corrales were both very good except for the first section of the grand pas which seemed slightly tense, with their held hands shaking at times. They both looked more comfortable in their subsequent solos. I thought both were excellent on the acting front. Magri is just a joy to watch on stage. Edited December 30, 2019 by Dawnstar 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ingrid Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 (edited) Can only imagine how special it must have felt to Mayara to bring to life a character that is so important to her journey to the Royal Ballet. I’m still seeing if it will be possible but I’m gonna try to watch her on her Swan Lake debut at the end of the season 😊. I had a suspicion that Thomas would nail the role from the rehearsals made available on Youtube. But good to hear he apparently did great. Edited December 30, 2019 by Ingrid 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted December 30, 2019 Author Share Posted December 30, 2019 I absolutely loved Corrales today and couldn’t take my binoculars off him! Such a Latin interpretation of Franz and I loved it. Fabulous dancing as well. I liked Magri but she didn’t have the same ooomph as Francesca, Yasmine and Anna-Rose. She didn’t quite own the stage like the others did. She also rushed things a bit. I am sure that some of it was nerves. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJW Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 For those who enjoyed Corrales and Magri today (and for those that haven't seen them) you might be interested in this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZSiT-McHLQ&t=606s 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyTaylor Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Loved Mayara Magri and Cesar Corrales in the matinee of Coppelia today. What a joyful afternoon. Also very impressed with Tom Whitehead's Dr Coppelius. I took my 2 step grandchildren aged 7 and 5 and they were entranced, especially in Act 2. Pleased to report too that Romany Pajdak performed Prayer extremely well. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted December 30, 2019 Author Share Posted December 30, 2019 Yes, in my rush to post I forgot to mention how much I liked Tom Whitehead’s portrayal of Coppelius. Natural, funny and tinged with just the right amount of pathos. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 (edited) Edited December 30, 2019 by Rob S 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 (edited) Wonderful photos Rob. I would like to see better bouquets for debuts. My New Year’s resolution .... next one I attend. Bloomsbury Flowers be ready! Edited December 30, 2019 by FionaE Clarification 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah langfield Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 As the little girl in front of me said Mayara Magri is a superstar. Her performance made my Christmas. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, FionaE said: Wonderful photos Rob. I would like to see better bouquets for debuts. My New Year’s resolution .... next one I attend. Bloomsbury Flowers be ready! Bloomsbury Flowers has been closed over the holiday period. Edited to add that my own bouquets are always very much smaller but always appreciated by the dancers concerned. Edited December 30, 2019 by capybara 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 1 hour ago, FionaE said: I would like to see better bouquets for debuts. hang on - no doubt a fan has paid good money for those (possibly more than they would normally afford), so there is no need to be disparaging about it. Its nice someone made the effort 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 12 minutes ago, zxDaveM said: hang on - no doubt a fan has paid good money for those (possibly more than they would normally afford), so there is no need to be disparaging about it. Its nice someone made the effort At the stage door afterwards I overheard Magri thanking someone there for flowers so as she only had the one bouquet with her presumably that person was the donor. She evidently appreciated them at any rate. Personally I don't know how fans can afford to keep dancers supplied with flowers, given large bouquets seem to cost £30-40 nowadays. I know I couldn't afford to, not that I'd have the nerve to anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 I thought Magri was a lovely Swanilda. I wasn't wholly convinced by her acting in the very early stages, but as the performance went on she inhabited the role more and more and was very sweet, likeable and amusing. I thought she rose impressively to the technical challenges and she has a beautiful amplitude to her movement. Corrales was a suitably flirtatious Franz and formed a good partnership with Magri; and when he could let rip with the Act III solo he did so with great vigour. I also liked Thomas Whitehead's Dr Coppélius and found him more moving than Avis or Gartside (but they had other virtues - I think all three have been brilliant!). Claire Calvert danced the Peasant Girl with style and precision, but with no apparent connection with her partner (Franz); and she was a secure and confident Aurora in Act III. Romany Pajdak seemed a little more comfortable as Prayer and again danced with great beauty. I do find my eye constantly drawn to Annette Buvoli now; I can't wait to see her in more roles. Anyway the performance went down a storm with the audience, and justifiably so. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Does anyone know if Corrales' younger brother is among the RBS students appearing in Coppelia? I thought that one of the dancers today looked strikingly similar to Corrales. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peony Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 13 hours ago, bangorballetboy said: Sorry, Pajdak was both the peasant girl (i.e. the one who dances the czardas with Franz) and Prayer at the matinée (I commented at the first interval that Padjak made the peasant girl a character rather than just a role). IIRC, Buvoli was the second to appear of the lead peasants (so many peasants, it gets quite confusing). thank you for this, evidently I wasn’t the only one who got a little confused! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 2 hours ago, zxDaveM said: hang on - no doubt a fan has paid good money for those (possibly more than they would normally afford), so there is no need to be disparaging about it. Its nice someone made the effort Please don’t misunderstand. I was not disparaging the size of the bouquet, only that there seemed to be only one. I am wondering why no other folks have bought bouquets for Mayara’s debut ...... and making a note to myself to do so in future. At a show in Zurich that I attended recently, the promoters of the event bought enormous matching bouquets for all 5 main protagonists (male and female) which I thought was a great idea. Flowers for all ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Just now, FionaE said: Please don’t misunderstand. I was not disparaging the size of the bouquet, only that there seemed to be only one. I am wondering why no other folks have bought bouquets for Mayara’s debut ...... and making a note to myself to do so in future. At a show in Zurich that I attended recently, the promoters of the event bought enormous matching bouquets for all 5 main protagonists (male and female) which I thought was a great idea. Flowers for all ! Are there rules at the ROH about onstage bouquets? I’ve never given one there before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Have a search for our "bouquets" thread: it may have been discussed there. Didn't Anna Rose O'Sullivan only get the one bouquet for her debut, too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 (edited) I won't post any photos from this afternoon, as @Rob S has already posted much better ones, but I can't see that anyone has posted any of the Morera & Campbell cast so here are some (more pics on my Instagram/Twitter): ETA I've realised I've spelt the heroine's name as Swanhilda throughout but it's half two in the morning & I am not re-doing a dozen Instagram/Twitter posts now! ETA 2 On the bouquet discussion, Morera only got one not-that-large one too, as can be seen above, though admittedly today wasn't her debut. Edited December 31, 2019 by Dawnstar 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 7 hours ago, alison said: Have a search for our "bouquets" thread: it may have been discussed there. Didn't Anna Rose O'Sullivan only get the one bouquet for her debut, too? Yes, she did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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