Royal Ballet Ashton mixed bills, June 2024

[Fonty]

I've always thought the setting for Les Rendezvous was a warm summer evening, where various individuals mingle at the entrance to a park somewhere.   Hence the title of the ballet   They may very well have been to a wedding or party, but they could equally simply going for a stroll.  I was reminded of  La Passeggiata in Italy where everyone puts on their best finery and  they go out to meet and socialise in the evenings.  I haven't been to southern Italy for years, but when I was there in the late 80s, it was like a fashion parade every night from the locals.  

 

Personally, I thought the costumes were gorgeous.  It doesn't bother me that perhaps the men were wearing fashion from a different era to the ladies, if that is what you were suggesting @Henry ?They were clearly dressed in their best, and indulging in a bit of harmless flirting.  I really want that lilac dress, I think it would suit me perfectly!  If people want to see some truly awful costumes and sets, then look no further than  the ones for BRB.  They really were an abomination.  

Edited June 11 by Fonty

[Scheherezade]

40 minutes ago, Mary said:

Very interesting point of view, Henry- I did like the costumes myself but you have made me think, and wouldn't it be lovely to have an alternative 'sunny day version' alongside the rainy one and not know which one you were going to get, just like this summer indeed....(I don't suppose the budget would run to that alas)

I love this idea, Mary, although, as you say, not particularly budget-friendly and I have to say, I rather liked the colour combinations. 

[Scheherezade]

9 minutes ago, Candleque said:

Does anyone else now have a wishlist cast in their head of Marco Masciari as Romeo with Liam Boswell and Caspar Lench as his mates? 

Channeling the late Caroline Aherne, shall we have a heated debate on who to cast as Mercutio?

[RobR]

15 minutes ago, Fonty said:

I've always thought the setting for Les Rendezvous was a warm summer evening, where various individuals mingle at the entrance to a park somewhere.   Hence the title of the ballet   They may very well have been to a wedding or party, but they could equally simply going for a stroll.  I was reminded of  La Passeggiata in Italy where everyone puts on their best finery and  they go out to meet and socialise in the evenings.  I haven't been to southern Italy for years, but when I was there in the late 80s, it was like a fashion parade every night from the locals.  

 

Personally, I thought the costumes were gorgeous.  It doesn't bother me that perhaps the men were wearing fashion from a different era to the ladies, if that is what you were suggesting @Henry ?They were clearly dressed in their best, and indulging in a bit of harmless flirting.  I really want that lilac dress, I think it would suit me perfectly!  If people want to see some truly awful costumes and sets, then look no further than  the ones for BRB.  They really were an abomination.  

Well, I certainly agree with you about the ‘warm summer evening’ but, with that in mind, I really loved the men’s striped blazers and the women’s polka dot dresses and gloves of the previous production. 

Edited June 11 by RobR

[Fonty]

1 minute ago, RobR said:

Well, I certainly agree with you about the ‘warm summer evening’ but, with that in mind, I really loved the men’s striped blazers and the women’s polka dot dresses and gloves of the previous production. 

 

Well, we all like different things, don't we.    Personally I thought the BRB costumes seemed more suitable for the Kingdom of the Sweets, and I hated the long pink gloves for the ladies that looked as though they had just come from a mammoth washing up session.  Plus the enormous blood red sun made me thing that perhaps it signified the end of the world.  

[LinMM]

Am not sure how you could pop in for Les Rendezvous Blossom and then miss Ashtons masterpiece The Dream!! So close to a little piece of Heaven! 
I wasn’t going to write anything yesterday but did so agree with Missfrankiecat’s post that thought I had to say something as the choreography for Dream is just so exquisite. 
I didn’t mention Rendezvous so will wait till next week now but that trio looked knackering to do!! 

[Balletfanp]

Well, I loved it last night! It reminded me yet again what a genius Ashton at his best was.

 

l loved Les Rendezvous, my first time seeing it. I’m sure I read somewhere that the setting was after a ball, with the dancers meeting up with their chosen partners (presumably in the early hours!) in the park afterwards - hence ‘Les Rendezvous’ and the rather grey misty set? I actually loved the set and costumes - so pretty on the women. The pas de trois was really beautifully performed - Sophie Alnatt seems to be up and coming all of a sudden, ably supported by Marco and Harrison. Fumi was absolutely gorgeous, her dancing has such a lovely flow, she was fun and flirty and made it look easy. Vadim’s ’bad day at the office’ isn’t like anyone else’s and he was still fantastic, but I had the feeling he was dancing as though perhaps nursing an injury and being careful - I was sitting quite close and his minor ‘stumble’ looked as though he landed from what looked like a perfect double tour and his leg suddenly gave way under him? I hope he is OK. He seemed to pick up considerably in the second half. And he and Fumi are just a delight together.

 

I had forgotten how much I love The Dream. It’s perfection, from the set and costumes, the choir, the choreography and humour. Ashton at his absolute best. I had shivers down my spine when the choir began to sing. Francesca was very good indeed and she certainly looked the part. I was less convinced by Marcelino, who also seemed to be not quite on his usual technical form (was there something in the air last night?) and I felt his facial expressions were a bit limited. The four lovers were all excellent and brought out the humour well, and it was really lovely to see Romany Pajdak back, she has always been a favourite of mine. But the star of that show was undoubtedly Caspar Lench - a remarkable performance for someone who isn’t even a full company member yet. Quite apart from his dancing (those jumps and spins!) his characterisation was lovely - he had charm in spades. I sometimes find Puck quite an irritating character but Lench made him adorable - the kind of Puck you would want to scold then give a big hug to! And he was so light and lively - a perfect sprite! His genuine surprise at receiving what looked like as many flowers as Francesca was heartwarming to see, and the applause from the audience showed that they thought he was the star of the show!

 

I also enjoyed Joshua Junker’s Bottom (should I rephrase that?? 😂). I thought he was funny and touching and can only get better with practice.

 

I was prepared to perhaps feel a bit bored during Rhapsody as I had seen it a couple of times in the last run. But I had forgotten just how perfectly the steps fit the music and how many surprises the choreography holds. That, and the beautiful set and costumes that seem to glow in the warm lighting. And in any case, I only have to hear the music in the pas de deux anyway and I’m transfixed. Mayara was excellent, light and fleet-footed. I also enjoyed Luca (I’ve always liked him and am glad to see him getting more opportunities), although I wasn’t totally convinced by them as a pairing. To be honest (and I’m not generally a fan of his) I have never yet seen anyone match McRae in the male role (before anyone says anything, I’m not counting Baryshnikov as I never saw him!), in a previous run before he had his run of injuries. Cesar came close last time but was too messy and his landings too heavy. But Luca did a very good job and injected some emotion into it as well. All the supporting dancers were excellent too.

 

All in all a very enjoyable evening and I’m looking forward greatly to the other casts next Saturday!

[Scheherezade]

11 hours ago, LinMM said:

 

I had the pleasure of sitting next to a young lady who looked every inch a dancer and it turned out she was one of the Sarasota dancers … she was Gabriella Schultze!
Had a very interesting chat with her and she seemed thrilled to be here and at the ROH. 

My friends and I had a chat with Gabriella Schultze’s father before the gala on Saturday. He was very proud of her, told us that she was cast as the milkmaid in Facade, that this was the first time that he had seen her dance professionally as he lived in Seattle and that this was his first visit to London, which he was loving. 

 

11 hours ago, LinMM said:

Mayara was particularly lovely in Rhapsody

I thought so too. 

 

12 hours ago, Missfrankiecat said:

You could remove all the gorgeous costumes and scenery and the music and choreography are so perfectly aligned to character - whether fairy, rustic or lover - and story, that the narrative would still be clear as a bell.

So true. And who else can weave a story with such precision and perfection?

 

14 hours ago, Lucy M said:

Will write more later but two words for now: Caspar Lench!!!!! 

 

And five more words: Frederick Ashton - sheer, unsurpassed genius. 

[LinMM]

Yes Gabriella told me her dad had come over from Seattle and though had trouble getting tickets went to every performance last week!! 
She said the Company were delighted when they saw just how quickly the tickets had sold initially.   I told her I could only get a restricted view they went so fast but hoped they would come again not too far hence. 
As it was her first time in Europe she was delighted to be in London all like a dream come true for her. 

[Scheherezade]

14 minutes ago, Balletfanp said:

the star of that show was undoubtedly Caspar Lench - a remarkable performance for someone who isn’t even a full company member yet.

A remarkable performance from anyone, at any stage in their dancing career, but close on unbelievable from someone so junior. I was staggered that he could deliver such a credible, endearing and fully fleshed portrayal, not to mention all the fireworks that come with the territory, with such maturity, confidence and panache. 
 

15 minutes ago, Balletfanp said:

To be honest (and I’m not generally a fan of his) I have never yet seen anyone match McRae in the male role

 

Agreed. McRae’s speed was something to behold. And there was, of course, that wondetful Hayward and Hay performance all those years ago. 

[alison]

46 minutes ago, Balletfanp said:

l loved Les Rendezvous, my first time seeing it. I’m sure I read somewhere that the setting was after a ball, with the dancers meeting up with their chosen partners (presumably in the early hours!) in the park afterwards - hence ‘Les Rendezvous’ and the rather grey misty set? I actually loved the set and costumes - so pretty on the women.

 

I think that's what Kevin O'Hare said, perhaps at the insight, that that was how they were envisioning it.  Whether that was the original intention, I'm not sure - I may be getting the designs mixed up with those for Valses Nobles et Sentimentales - but it worked well enough for me (and those departures at the end would tie in neatly with people leaving to go home).  Perhaps a slight pink blush might have been welcome in the grey dresses to reflect the coming dawn, but otherwise I liked the designs very much.

 

With regard to Masciari's injury, I suppose it's quite feasible that it could be something which allows him to do Les Rendezvous but Puck's rather more rumbustious choreography might be too much to ask.  I hope he recovers soon, anyway.

[Two Pigeons]

1 hour ago, Fonty said:

I've always thought the setting for Les Rendezvous was a warm summer evening, where various individuals mingle at the entrance to a park somewhere.   Hence the title of the ballet   They may very well have been to a wedding or party, but they could equally simply going for a stroll.  I was reminded of  La Passeggiata in Italy where everyone puts on their best finery and  they go out to meet and socialise in the evenings.  I haven't been to southern Italy for years, but when I was there in the late 80s, it was like a fashion parade every night from the locals.  

 

Personally, I thought the costumes were gorgeous.  It doesn't bother me that perhaps the men were wearing fashion from a different era to the ladies, if that is what you were suggesting @Henry ?They were clearly dressed in their best, and indulging in a bit of harmless flirting.  I really want that lilac dress, I think it would suit me perfectly!  If people want to see some truly awful costumes and sets, then look no further than  the ones for BRB.  They really were an abomination.  

Those undeniably ghastly costumes were designed for the Royal Ballet and much criticised (deservedly) at the premiere mounted for Markova's 90th Birthday with Darcey Bussell playing the principal role.

 

They replaced the previous version by William Chappell which were sorely missed by those of us who remembered the old production.  Regrettably David Bintley really disliked the costumes for the men so he borrowed the Royal Ballet's costumes.

 

The work was recorded in the Big Top with Marion Tait and Davis Ashmole and broadcasted in, I think 1979, for Sir Fred's 75th birthday.  It did appear on YouTube for a while but not recently.

[Mary]

58 minutes ago, Scheherezade said:

1 hour ago, Balletfanp said:

To be honest ...I have never yet seen anyone match McRae in the male role

 

Agreed. McRae’s speed was something to behold. And there was, of course, that wondetful Hayward and Hay performance all those years ago. 

I agree with this- McRae and Hay best I have seen, in quite different ways.

 

Maybe we will see Caspar Lench dance Rhapsody one day. ....!

[Fonty]

12 minutes ago, Two Pigeons said:

Those undeniably ghastly costumes were designed for the Royal Ballet and much criticised (deservedly) at the premiere mounted for Markova's 90th Birthday with Darcey Bussell playing the principal role.

 

They replaced the previous version by William Chappell which were sorely missed by those of us who remembered the old production.  Regrettably David Bintley really disliked the costumes for the men so he borrowed the Royal Ballet's costumes.

 

The work was recorded in the Big Top with Marion Tait and Davis Ashmole and broadcasted in, I think 1979, for Sir Fred's 75th birthday.  It did appear on YouTube for a while but not recently.

 

I didn't realise they were designed for the RB, I only saw them when BRB danced it.  I do wonder how such cartoonish designs got the go ahead in the first place.  

 

Edited to add I have only seen pictures of the original costumes, but I believe they were all white or pale ones?  I have found a clip on Youtube of the ENB's summer school performance in 2012 with  Frederico Oliveira dancing the lead solo.  The costumes look very similar to the ones in the photos.

Edited June 11 by Fonty

[Mary]

Re Rendezvous- intrigued by the comments here I turned to my copy of David Vaughan: Frederick Ashton and his Ballets- where Ashton is quoted as saying the ballet has 'no serious portent at all' but is a series of dances hung on an idea, the rendezvous in 'a  park or public garden';  in the original production there was 'a summery sky' so Henry is right - ..but primarily it is not a narrative but just (just!) an early and very complete statement of 'Ashton's personal classicism'. There is a whole appendix describing the ballet, and the point is made that it has been altered many times.

[Jane S]

1 minute ago, Mary said:

I agree with this- McRae and Hay best I have seen, in quite different ways.

 

 

 

I much preferred Polunin to both of them - definitely my 'best since Baryshnikov'!

 

The Rendezvous costumes: I was quite fond of the William Chappell variations on pink ribbons but his original designs were rather different - nice for Markova but would any dancer today agree to appear onstage dressed like Idzikowski?

[Blossom]

3 hours ago, LinMM said:

Am not sure how you could pop in for Les Rendezvous Blossom and then miss Ashtons masterpiece The Dream!! So close to a little piece of Heaven! 

I was at the opening night (and the rehearsal) and back for the second Ashton programme so lots of opportunity to see The Dream too. Unfortunately, I didn't have a whole night free last night but this was my last opportunity to see Les Rendezvous again, so it had to be just a pop in.  It was not easy to tear myself away!!

[LinMM]

Yes I realised that there would be a good reason you couldn’t stay was meant tongue in cheek and just so I could say how wonderful the Dream is once again!! 
Slightly off thread but my dream heavenly triple on loop would be Ashtons The Dream, Macmillan’s Concerto and Robbins Dances at a Gathering. 

Edited June 11 by LinMM

[Lindsay]

The Dream was also the highlight for me last night - musically as well as choreographically.  But dare I say it, I think this triple bill may have come too late in the season when the dancers (understandably, after what feels like about a decade of Swan Lakes) are perhaps feeling weary and ready for a break.  Lots of credit to Sophie Allnatt for not only smiling through that relentlessly spritely pas de trois but then following it up as the liveliest of 'super-fairies'.  Olivia Cowley is a superb comic actor as is Nicol Edmonds and I thought Mayara Magri really took flight in some of the fast, virtuoso sections towards the end of Rhapsody.  

 

I really am always pleased to see Ashton ballets.  It's just that they are so very very tough to dance well that I would really like to see what the company would make of a bill like this in September/October when one might hope for more rested dancers and fewer injuries. 

[Dawnstar]

Can anyone say what the name is of the step that the dancers performing the pas de trois in Les Rendezvous do repeatedly as they circle the stage?

[art_enthusiast]

2 hours ago, alison said:

I hope he recovers soon, anyway.

 

I certainly hope he does - he's one of my current favourite dancers. I believe he is still doing Ballet Under The Stars in July (I probably won't be able to see that though). 

[zxDaveM]

17 minutes ago, Lindsay said:

... Lots of credit to Sophie Allnatt for not only smiling through that relentlessly spritely pas de trois but then following it up as the liveliest of 'super-fairies'. 

 

she was terrific wasn't she! 🙂

[zxDaveM]

7 minutes ago, Dawnstar said:

Can anyone say what the name is of the step that the dancers performing the pas de trois in Les Rendezvous do repeatedly as they circle the stage?

 

no idea - unless it's the hoppa-derry-dando, as my mother would have said 😉

 

[LinMM]

I think you mean petit jete’s Dawnstar there were a lot of them but can’t be sure that’s the step you meant!!

[Dawnstar]

1 minute ago, LinMM said:

I think you mean petit jete’s Dawnstar there were a lot of them but can’t be sure that’s the step you meant!!

 

I don't think that's the one I mean, at least it didn't look anything like the proper sort of jetes. It's the step done between 20.01 and 20.20 on the Ashton Celebrated Insight video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izwdv0v5m5Q

[Lindsay]

1 minute ago, Dawnstar said:

 

I don't think that's the one I mean, at least it didn't look anything like the proper sort of jetes. It's the step done between 20.01 and 20.20 on the Ashton Celebrated Insight video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izwdv0v5m5Q

Yes, I think those are just travelling petits jetes devants

[Dawnstar]

Then I am very confused that that's called a jete when it looks nothing like what I thought was a jete!

[Lindsay]

A jete is really any jump where you take off on one leg and land on the other.  But they can be different sizes and go in different directions or stay on the spot.

 

Are you perhaps thinking of big split leg jumps? If so, those are grands jetes (sorry - I can't figure out accents on the forum!) and are the most recognisable.

[San Perregrino]

2 hours ago, Mary said:

Re Rendezvous- intrigued by the comments here I turned to my copy of David Vaughan: Frederick Ashton and his Ballets- where Ashton is quoted as saying the ballet has 'no serious portent at all' but is a series of dances hung on an idea, the rendezvous in 'a  park or public garden';  in the original production there was 'a summery sky' so Henry is right - ..but primarily it is not a narrative but just (just!) an early and very complete statement of 'Ashton's personal classicism'. There is a whole appendix describing the ballet, and the point is made that it has been altered many times.

Les Rendezvous put me in mind of Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering. Another extraordinary beautiful piece where the sole motive is the dance itself. 

[Borzoi]

28 minutes ago, zxDaveM said:

 

no idea - unless it's the hoppa-derry-dando, as my mother would have said 😉

 

Maybe emboite?

[Richard LH]

1 hour ago, LinMM said:

my dream heavenly triple on loop would be Ashtons The Dream, Macmillan’s Concerto and Robbins Dances at a Gathering. 

Great choices @LinMM!

[Lindsay]

6 minutes ago, Borzoi said:

Maybe emboite?

Yes you're right Borzoi! I couldn't remember the exact name - it has been decades since any attempt to do more than two or three of those would end with me needing a nice glass of wine and a sit down.  Thank you

[Richard LH]

1 hour ago, Lindsay said:

I think this triple bill may have come too late in the season when the dancers (understandably, after what feels like about a decade of Swan Lakes) are perhaps feeling weary and ready for a break. 

Yes I thought the same.....it could explain the odd performance that might be judged slightly below par, if we are being super critical.