by Linda on October 29, 2009
Our Mayerling crusade continues with new casts, some debuts and thus interesting new takes on MacMillan’s iconic characters. There are very few lead roles that challenge a danseur’s technique, stamina and dramatic skills as does Crown Prince Rudolf and for Rupert Pennefather to have been offered the opportunity to dance it at such young age [...]
Tagged as:
2009-2010 Season,
Brian Maloney,
Countess Larisch,
Crown Prince Rudolf,
Edward Watson,
Elizabeth Harrod,
full-length,
Johan Kobborg,
Ludovic Ondiviela,
Marianela Nuñez,
Mary Vetsera,
Mayerling,
Melissa Hamilton,
Review,
Royal Ballet,
Rupert Pennefather,
Sergei Polunin,
Wayne McGregor
by Linda on October 9, 2009
Mayerling may not be for everyone, but it is an undeniable example of how ballet can go beyond technical prowess or fairy-tale narrative, geometrical patterns or musical convention. Kenneth MacMillan’s work reaches for the core of human emotions, both the good and the bad, digging deep into the grittiest, the most horrific and perverse of [...]
Tagged as:
2009-2010 Season,
Deirdre Chapman,
Emma Maguire,
Empress Elizabeth,
Franz Liszt,
full-length,
Helen Crawford,
Johan Kobborg,
José Martín,
Laura Morera,
Leanne Benjamin,
Macmillan,
Mary Vetsera,
Mayerling,
Prince Rudolf,
Review,
Royal Ballet
by Emilia on October 8, 2009
Arriving at Covent Garden last night and glancing at my Mayerling cast sheet I wondered if the audience – mostly non-ballet-regulars thanks to a promotion ran by The Sun newspaper – had any idea of their lucky draw with this particular cast: principals Laura Morera as Mitzi Caspar and Steven McRae as Bratfisch, soloists Sergei [...]
Tagged as:
2009-2010 Season,
Cindy Jourdain,
Clement Crisp,
Countess Larisch,
Edward Watson,
Empress Elizabeth,
Franz Liszt,
full-length,
Judith Mackrell,
Laura Morera,
Mara Galeazzi,
Mary Vetsera,
Mayerling,
Prince Rudolf,
Royal Ballet,
Sarah Lamb,
Sergei Polunin,
Steven McRae,
The Sun,
Thomas Whitehead
by Linda on September 10, 2009
As we stare at the Royal Ballet’s new season, what better way to start than with the company’s veteran, Leanne Benjamin, who has danced for 17 years now and is still going strong. One of their most accomplished Principals, Leanne is ready to impress the crowds with her portrayal of the minxy Mary Vetsera in [...]
Tagged as:
Adeline Genée,
Alastair Marriott,
Ashton,
Christopher Wheeldon,
Clement Crisp,
Coppélia,
Cranko,
David Dougill,
Debra Craine,
Edward Watson,
Gloria,
Infra,
Jonathan Cope,
Judith Mackrell,
Juliet,
Leanne Benjamin,
London Festival Ballet,
Macmillan,
Mary Vetsera,
Mats Ek,
Mayerling,
Morphoses,
Neumeier,
Ninette de Valois,
Onegin,
Peter Schaufuss,
Principal Dancer,
Prix de Lausanne,
ROH,
Romeo and Juliet,
Royal Ballet,
Royal Ballet School,
Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet,
Sir Peter Wright,
Swanilda,
Tatiana,
The Firebird,
Wayne McGregor
by Emilia on June 22, 2009
Is this ballet for you? Go if: You are tired of white ballets and of seeing male dancers perennially overshadowed by the ballerina. Mayerling, a tale of a crown prince’s descent into madness and murder, definitely puts the man on the spot. Think Hamlet with guns in lieu of swords & added drugs and you [...]
Tagged as:
Crown Prince Rudolf,
David Wall,
Dramatic & Intense,
Edward Watson,
Franz Liszt,
Johan Kobborg,
John Lanchbery,
Kenneth MacMillan,
Lynn Seymour,
Madness,
Marie Larisch,
Mary Vetsera,
Mayerling,
Nicholas Georgiadis,
Royal Ballet
