Emeralds Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 (edited) It’s only meant to be a temporary Covid precaution to avoid thick crowds in the foyers and amphi corridors gathering to eat ice creams. It’s actually not even ideal as people would be taking off their masks and breathing in as well as discharging potentially contagious aerosols into the auditorium. What would be very nice to raise money for the ROH would be more sale points to sell a small selection of ROH merchandise, especially diaries, souvenirs, DVDs, to discourage people giving away money to tax avoiding online behemoths. I’ve been trying to get the Royal Ballet DVDs of Coppélia and The Cellist- I don’t want to pay for it to be delivered when I’m actually in the ROH several times. Fingers crossed I will be able to beat the crowds next time. 🙂 Edited December 16, 2021 by Emeralds 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 The full cast lists are now on the production pages for tonight's and Saturday's performances: December 16 7.30pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/lhwqp Saturday December 18 1.30pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/w3en6 Saturday December 18 7pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/l7lay 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 25 minutes ago, Bluebird said: The full cast lists are now on the production pages for tonight's and Saturday's performances: December 16 7.30pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/lhwqp Saturday December 18 1.30pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/w3en6 Saturday December 18 7pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/l7lay I’m a bit surprised to see the Sat evening one already up, as Steven McRae, who is normally efficient and helpful with casting updates, has not said that his calf muscle has healed miraculously quickly in order to allow him to dance in two days...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 4 minutes ago, Emeralds said: I’m a bit surprised to see the Sat evening one already up, as Steven McRae, who is normally efficient and helpful with casting updates, has not said that his calf muscle has healed miraculously quickly in order to allow him to dance in two days...... In fact he implied last week that he wouldn't be doing Nutcracker at all this year. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 6 minutes ago, bridiem said: In fact he implied last week that he wouldn't be doing Nutcracker at all this year. I agree, bridiem, his pronouncement seemed pretty final, hence my puzzlement. I occasionally click on to see if Vadim’s name has appeared, or whether it will be a new Prince! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 43 minutes ago, Bluebird said: The full cast lists are now on the production pages for tonight's and Saturday's performances: Saturday December 18 7pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/l7lay I really do need a ticket for this, even if it's just to see Giacomo Rovero be Grandfather and Clara's partner at the same time😄 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 20 minutes ago, Rob S said: I really do need a ticket for this, even if it's just to see Giacomo Rovero be Grandfather and Clara's partner at the same time😄 Lol! I think someone who does the cast lists believes it’s 1st of April! I saw some tickets right in the middle of the grand tier for £135, but they are rubbish for red run photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 1 hour ago, Emeralds said: they are rubbish for red run photos. Speak for yourself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 (edited) Word has it that the cast sheets on the ROH site really are subject to change. I think that we should expect to see Mr O'Hare making front of curtain announcements before the shows. Incidentally, there appear to be a lot of returned tickets for the three remaining performances this week. Edited December 16, 2021 by capybara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 A red run photo 🤔 the mind boggles! Does this strictly mean if you are in SC or SCS dashing down to nearer the side of the stage at the end 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 35 minutes ago, bangorballetboy said: Speak for yourself! We need to see some of bangorballetboy’s photos from the middle of the Grand Tier, back row (which was where these were). 😀 They’d be good for a wide angle shot of the whole company onstage, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 19 minutes ago, LinMM said: A red run photo 🤔 the mind boggles! Does this strictly mean if you are in SC or SCS dashing down to nearer the side of the stage at the end Those lovely ones that RobS posts for us of the dancers in front of the red curtain at the end. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, Bluebird said: The full cast lists are now on the production pages for tonight's and Saturday's performances: December 16 7.30pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/lhwqp Saturday December 18 1.30pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/w3en6 Saturday December 18 7pm https://www.roh.org.uk/events/l7lay Just thought to double check tonight's casting. There are a lot of "replacements" which I don't think were there when I posted earlier. I've pasted them in below: Herr Drosselmeyer Bennet Gartside Replacement Herr Drosselmeyer Gary Avis Clara Ashley Dean The Nutcracker Benjamin Ella Replacement The Nutcracker Leo Dixon Sugar Plum Fairy Francesca Hayward Replacement Sugar Plum Fairy Marianela Nuñez Prince Alexander Campbell Replacement Prince Reece Clarke Edited December 16, 2021 by Bluebird 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, capybara said: Word has it that the cast sheets on the ROH site really are subject to change. I think that we should expect to see Mr O'Hare making front of curtain announcements before the shows. Incidentally, there appear to be a lot of returned tickets for the three remaining performances this week. Omicron panic...ourselves included. As it now transpires, we would not have been seeing the cast we booked for anyway... Edited December 16, 2021 by Richard LH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Thank you for the update, Bluebird. Goodness me - I don't think we've seen replacements on this scale before. How difficult it must be for the Company. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 1 hour ago, Emeralds said: We need to see some of bangorballetboy’s photos from the middle of the Grand Tier, back row (which was where these were). 😀 They’d be good for a wide angle shot of the whole company onstage, though. Have a look at my Instagram feed. If you can see the dancers' feet, I've probably taken the picture from the grand tier. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 24 minutes ago, Bluebird said: Sugar Plum Fairy Francesca Hayward Replacement Sugar Plum Fairy Marianela Nuñez I hope that bagpiper hasn’t given Francesca a headache!! ☹️ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 I had to read that cast replacement list again. For a moment I thought Leo Dixon was dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 9 minutes ago, Fonty said: I had to read that cast replacement list again. For a moment I thought Leo Dixon was dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy. It could come to that, the way things are going!😂 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizbie1 Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Maybe we need a mechanism for whole casts and audiences to be in "isolating" and non-isolating teams! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 The 'reliable' versions of cast sheets are posted under that heading at around 5.00pm daily. Here is the one for tonight (16th December): https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/the-nutcracker-by-peter-wright/cast-list/48997 Those for the two shows on the 18th which Bluebird found earlier seem to have been removed now. Kevin O'Hare will, as anticipated, be making quite a few announcements front of curtain. Sending 'get well' wishes to all the dancers who are unable to dance their show tonight. It must be hugely disappointing for them 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJW Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 7 hours ago, Fonty said: Are ice creams allowed in the auditorium? Why???? What next? People slurping drinks through straws? Is this just for the Nutcracker, or will it be for every performance? When I go to the ballet, I want to watch the ballet, not eat. I can think of nothing more inappropriate than scooping up a bit of rum and raisin while the Queen of the Willis makes her dramatic appearance. Or licking thoughtfully on my plastic spoon while Odette steps on stage. I wasn't aware that the rules had changed - the chap sitting next to me when I went to see Giselle a couple of weeks ago was eating his during the second act. Good job I didn't cause a fuss! Thankfully during his eating he wasn't able to sigh despondently as he had been during the rest of the performance as clearly he had been dragged there against his will! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted December 16, 2021 Author Share Posted December 16, 2021 I think that for the next week or two it's going to end up being pot luck as to who we see at any given Nut performance. I am grateful to see anyone the way things are going, and luckily all the RB dancers are so fab that I won't feel disappointed with any cast change. Get well indeed to all the dancers, and a huge thank you to those who are stepping in at the last minute, and to those behind the scenes who are working so hard to ensure that the company can continue to perform. Does anyone know if the orchestra is being affected like this? 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted December 16, 2021 Author Share Posted December 16, 2021 5 hours ago, Rob S said: I really do need a ticket for this, even if it's just to see Giacomo Rovero be Grandfather and Clara's partner at the same time😄 The way things are going, don't be surprised...much is being asked of the dancers at the moment!! 😄 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Newcombe Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 55 minutes ago, Rob S said: I hope that bagpiper hasn’t given Francesca a headache!! ☹️ How much Covid can bagpipes spread 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted December 16, 2021 Author Share Posted December 16, 2021 8 minutes ago, Tony Newcombe said: How much Covid can bagpipes spread Have I missed something about Frankie and bagpipes??!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oncnp Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 13 minutes ago, Sim said: Have I missed something about Frankie and bagpipes??!! She posted on her IG stories - a bagpiper in the piazza outside her window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 7 hours ago, Rob S said: 😲 Has someone hit you on the head with a pointe shoe recently!?😆 No, I was just thinking of the ROH's desperate need to replenish its coffers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 9 minutes ago, oncnp said: She posted on her IG stories - a bagpiper in the piazza outside her window. He’s still blowing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 1 hour ago, Sim said: Does anyone know if the orchestra is being affected like this? A week or so ago, I heard from a member of the ROH orchestra that several players had been affected by Covid or the need to self-isolate and that there had had to be an amount of doubling up. No news on the Omicron front specifically but the ENB pit looked more sparse than usual at last night's rehearsal and the Music Director (the incomparable Gavin Sutherland) was not conducting as per usual. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 (edited) Considering the Lion King, Life of Pi, Hex, the RSC and many pantos have had to cancel shows due to many cast members being ill with Covid, reflecting the rising case numbers in the capital and the nation, the Royal Ballet is doing extremely well to be able to put its scheduled shows out so far without cancellations. One panto company had to close its entire season. I don’t know any of the ROH orchestra well enough to ask directly, but musician friends who work at or freelance at the major London orchestras say that they’ve had some cases of Covid, which has come in handy for freelancers and covers having the opportunity to take their place and get paid. There’s also a bit of a revolving door situation whereby once someone has recovered from Covid and finished their quarantine, they then go on to replace a colleague, or an associate in another orchestra who has fallen ill! Many orchestra musicians are also often members of more than one ensemble- you’re allowed as long as commitments don’t clash. I’m guessing there are lots of artists, first artists and soloists being prepped to cover some solo roles they might never have dreamed of dancing so soon, and quite a few first soloists and soloists being asked to re-rehearse a role they weren’t down to do this season, just in case they have to step in if the covers of the covers of the original cast member are ill with Covid! A bit of a possible “42nd Street” scenario! Edited December 16, 2021 by Emeralds 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 The Mouse King collapsed in to the arms of only one mouse today so it’s hitting other species now! 🐭 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizbie1 Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Thinking about it - was last year's abortive Nutcracker with a reduced orchestra? If so, they'll know the drill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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