RB 'La Bayadere' reviews 'La Bayadere' reviews Morera in reviews Rosato in reviews recent RB reviews

Welcome David - quite new here myself and I agree the level of technical expertise can be intimidating but I also like balletomane chats - its as if we are standing outside the stage door (which I used to do) and "debriefing" after the performance - it doubles the fun and enjoyment to reflect, discuss, even argue over performances. And you get some really interesting views on this site. I was there last night - right at the very back of the Amphi so also dependent on binocs. Alina is incredible - words fail me, some of her movements are so beautiful I am breathless. I thought Angel started off looking very happy and the smile was there in the first pdd with Alina but he did get serious - perhaps the plot called for it. Act II left me less impressed than I remember from the early days with this production - I'm sure with Tucker and Brind et al in those three variations were much higher voltage - or was last night's music just slower? Or does my memory deceive me? I thought Tapper, Yanowski (beautiful as always) Morrea were very good but not breathtaking. I did think Mara was stunning and very scarey. Only thing I think could be added would be more sense of Solor falling in love - Angel seemed to be rather wooden but perhaps if he was injured he was distracted and perhaps with more performances he and Alina will get more feeling - their dancing I would not fault. I agree David that the company looked great - no wobbles in Act 2 - lots of good character acting from Page, Rosato and Drew and the corps too. Gosh, I dislike the Fakirs and would cut some of the padding if I could - its a long night.

The Amphi was full of students - I think from RBS - hence the screams - the ROH sounded more like a concert with teen idols with rapturous screams for everyone on stage. Nice and unstuffy I thought.

I have organised flower throws in the past, usually for someones debut or last performance. For a while, Wayne Eagling and Wendy Ellis were given an "annual Fille" and they got a flower throw for that one year - it was fun! And there used to be "Flower Ray" who did beautiful bouquets for the dancers, and he was adept at throwing the at their feet - he had is favourites and he could pick them out to get flowers. I miss it! Sometimes the ballet association will organise a flower throw and ask for donations - sometimes when we did it people heard by the grapevine and contributed. I thought Alina and Ivan too were very gracious in acknowledging the flower throw - I don't like it when dancers ignore the flowers cause they are not cheap and it takes a lot of effort to do one. But both Alina and Ivan picked up flowers and acknowledged them. The person doing the throw did include everyone not just Alina - though I am sure it was for her debut. I predict many more flower throws - perhaps it would be good to have a bigger kitty and if someone would like to own up I'd love to know for the future.

All in all, a wonderful way to spend Friday evening. I'm looking forward to seeing Carlos and Rojo now and look forward to hearing other opinions.