Claire Lishman is our Media and PR Officer, and is currently on the Northern leg of the split tour. Here she shares how last night’s opening performance went!
‘The opening night at Durham Gala Theatre was extremely well received by our fans in the North East. There was not a seat to be had in the packed auditorium so I gave up my seat and will wait to see the show in York on Friday night! But from talking to members of the audience in the intervals the Sleeping Beauty pas de deux with Jamie Bond and Natasha Oughtred was just breathtaking and left the audience wanting plenty more where that came from! And judging from the sound of the rapturous applause and cheering at the final curtain it sounded like Slaughter on Tenth Avenue went down a storm too!
‘Two shows today as Durham is basked in glorious sunshine. There is plenty of entertainment to be had between shows too, as Birmingham Royal Ballet’s crew, technicians and wardrobe staff battle it out (girls versus boys) in a rowing race down the river! Last time this happened the girls beat the boys ‘by a mile’ so the boys are fired up for restoring some pride. Watch this space for results and photos…’
Claire
Click here for details of performances in Yeovil and Truro
Click here for details of performances in Durham and York
Birmingham Royal Ballet's tour blog 
3 comments
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April 23, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Vivien Flynn
I have just attended a performance of the Birmingham Royal Ballet in York this afternoon. I went along with high expectations, as I had seen the company a couple of years ago here.
I was, however, horrified to see the ensemble dancing to recorded music. It’s outrageous.
The Sinfonia was with them for only part of the programme.
I lived abroad for years and saw a number of companies dance without an orchestra – I stopped attending their performances and was always proud to tell people that the Royal Ballet would never dream of doing that.
How wrong I was.
The orchestra is an integral part of the performance; the dancers need the conductor’s input. How on earth could you have dreamt of putting on extracts from Coppélia and La Fille Mal Gardée to a recording?
If this is a cost-cutting measure, please cut the programme down but never dance without an orchestra.
I know there is not much room for a large orchestra at the Theatre Royal but there are reduced scores of these works, which would be preferable to a recording.
Furthermore, there was nothing on the notices or programme to inform us that some pieces would not be accompanied by the orchestra. You may well be in breach of the trade descriptions act – I would not have bought a ticket, had I known in advance.
I do hope this will never happen again – your reputation will be ruined. I am not alone in my opinion – I heard protests from all quarters of the auditorium.
April 26, 2011 at 11:34 am
Robintheoffice
Hello,
I’m very sorry to hear that you were disappointed by this performance. We have made a note of your comments and hope that you will find more to enjoy in future Birmingham Royal Ballet programmes.
Rob.
April 24, 2011 at 8:53 am
Susie Biller
Saw the performance last night in York and it was breathtaking. Moved to tears by the Concerto pas de deux and laughter by the clog dance. Congratulations to the dancers who gave great technique and personality. Also please thank whoever put together the programme – it was such a fabulous mix of beauty and emotion (for me the concert pas de deux), wit, personality and theatrics (the clog dance and slaughter on 10th Avenue) and the opportunity to see great excerpts from classics. I am now desperate to see more.