[DuddersMonster]

Me and Mrs. Duddersmonster are thinking about having a civilised night at the ballet, anyone suggest a good "starter ballet" or should I just dive in? I want to be able to follow it easily enough, I should imagine it will involve a little more concentration than good old fashioned musical theatre?

Thanks

[jimee1987]

The first Ballet I saw on stage live was a Matthew Bourne one - Edward Scissorhands. I had however watched ballet on TV before that. I seem to remember the first ballet I saw on TV was The Nutcracker when I was about 8 or 9 and I loved it.

I'd say just dive in. It may require a little more concentration but they're mostly easy to follow. If you're worried you could always find out a general story before you go.

Good luck finding one to go and see and I really hope you both enjoy it whatever it is.

[Jessie]

I've seen quite a few ballets & managed to understand the story (bearing in mind, this is from the ages of 8-15, maybe I was just very clever kid, which I doubt! =P). The only one I had a problem with was Swan Lake, but if I had known the vague story beforehand I think I'd have been fine.
I agree with jimee1987; if you're worried, find out a general story before you go. (& Matthew Bourne's are fantastic=D)
I hope you find a good one & enjoy it =)

[curzon]

Kenneth Macmillan's Romeo and Juliet at either the Royal Ballet or Birmingham Royal Ballet. Streets ahead of anything Matthew Bourne has done!

Sebastian

[DuddersMonster]

Thanks guys, I think I'll be booking us seats for Manon at the ROH. I've read Manon several times (and what a insipid fop Des Grieux is) so I think that'll be ideal. Thanks for the advice, friendly and helpful.

[Reich]

Enjoy Manon. I think its brilliant piece. Macmillan is an excellent choreographer so Romeo and Juliet also gets the thumbs up

Nutcracker (Birmingham’s is astounding. I also hear good things about Northern Ballet’s) Sleeping Beauty, Giselle or the Swan Lake are all good first calls.

Matthew Bourne is ok. His Swan Lake is astounding but most of the rest fails to have an impact on me.

I think Northern Ballet’s Madam Butterfly could be a good first one ... I'm much looking forward to a Tale of Two Cities

Or perhaps an evening of short works … David Bintley’s are really good, Still Life at the Penguin Café (breathtaking), Protecting Veil, Tombeaux Nutcracker Sweeties & Shakespeare Suit would make for an excellent evening … Asthon’s Le Patineur would also be great one actor

Enjoy

[DuddersMonster]

Enjoy Manon. I think its brilliant piece. Macmillan is an excellent choreographer so Romeo and Juliet also gets the thumbs up

Nutcracker (Birmingham's is astounding. I also hear good things about Northern Ballet's) Sleeping Beauty, Giselle or the Swan Lake are all good first calls.

Matthew Bourne is ok. His Swan Lake is astounding but most of the rest fails to have an impact on me.

I think Northern Ballet's Madam Butterfly could be a good first one ... I'm much looking forward to a Tale of Two Cities

Or perhaps an evening of short works … David Bintley's are really good, Still Life at the Penguin Café (breathtaking), Protecting Veil, Tombeaux Nutcracker Sweeties & Shakespeare Suit would make for an excellent evening … Asthon's Le Patineur would also be great one actor

Enjoy

It seems up north is the place for good ballet. Might have to venture up past Watford at some point.

[curzon]

Thanks guys, I think I'll be booking us seats for Manon at the ROH. I've read Manon several times (and what a insipid fop Des Grieux is) so I think that'll be ideal. Thanks for the advice, friendly and helpful.

Excellent choice - It's a great piece. Once one has seen work at this level it makes it all too plain how one note Bourne is as a choreographer. He has excellent dramatic instincts but no sense of choreographic line and development.
Incidentally do you know who is dancing in Manon?

Sebastian

[DuddersMonster]

Excellent choice - It's a great piece. Once one has seen work at this level it makes it all too plain how one note Bourne is as a choreographer. He has excellent dramatic instincts but no sense of choreographic line and development.
Incidentally do you know who is dancing in Manon?

Sebastian

Manon
Roberta Marquez
Tamara Rojo
Laura Morera
Sarah Lamb
Leanne Benjamin
Alina Cojocaru
Mara Galeazzi


Des Grieux
Edward Watson
David Makhateli
Rupert Pennefather
Ivan Putrov
Carlos Acosta
Federico Bonelli
Johan Kobborg


Lescaut
Brian Maloney
Steven McRae
tbc
José Martín
Viacheslav Samodurov
Thiago Soares
Ricardo Cervera

That's the list from the ROH website, we've not picked a date yet to not sure exactly who we will be seeing. Quite exciting though. What have i become, excited about ballet?!