Ballet - better than expected

[Hibbyradge]

I'm watching Swan Lake by accident and it's fabulous.

The athleticism of the dancers is incredible, and of course, the music is superb.

[Hibbyradge]

Heartbreaking, mind. 😉

[patch1875]

Been a couple of times to the ballet as you’ve said the fitness and ability of the dancers is amazing.

Would recommend it to anyone to give it a try it’s a great night out.

[Jack Hackett]

I'm watching Swan Lake by accident and it's fabulous.

The athleticism of the dancers is incredible, and of course, the music is superb.

They make it look so easy, there should be a disclaimer warning folks not to try this at home :agree:

[Bangkok Hibby]

I saw a modern version of Swan Lake in Inverness a couple of years ago. We were seated near the front so had the pleasure of seeing the musicians as clearly as the dancers. Despite my probably daft misgivings it was a great experience.

[Pretty Boy]

There's loads of things I can't do but not being able to dance is the one that really bothers me. I love watching good dancers and Strictly is one of my TV guilty pleasures. I've been to the ballet twice and it's amazing to see close up.

A few years ago one of my mates was getting married and I was his best man. Him and his now wife went to ballroom lessons to prepare for the 1st dance and they asked the Maid of Honour and myself to go along as well. I was hopeless and even after a few weeks when I had mastered the steps and counting and so on I still looked awful because I just have no rhythym. I think you can teach people the technical aspects of dance but it's one of those things you either have or don't.

[Mibbes Aye]

I'm watching Swan Lake by accident and it's fabulous.

The athleticism of the dancers is incredible, and of course, the music is superb.

The ballet is one of my greatest pleasures in life and Swan Lake is probably my favourite Ballet of all. I’ve been lucky enough to attend live on several occasions in various cities and the Christmas Ballet at the EFT with my daughter has been an annual tradition for years now but Swan Lake anywhere, any time, is a must-see.

For the dancing, the music and the overall visuals, the final scene with the battle between Siegfried and Rothbert is as good as the arts get IMO.

I also like that because no two productions are staged exactly the same way, there is always variation. In Swan Lake it is often with the series of national dances that takes place in the court scene in the middle, or with the role of the jester at the start.

Where you are, Northern Ballet will feature Swan Lake in their programme every couple of years or so. I know that a Russian Ballet troupe are in the UK in the spring and playing in Edinburgh in March. A live performance with a proper orchestra is well worth it.

[Hibbyradge]

The ballet is one of my greatest pleasures in life and Swan Lake is probably my favourite Ballet of all. I’ve been lucky enough to attend live on several occasions in various cities and the Christmas Ballet at the EFT with my daughter has been an annual tradition for years now but Swan Lake anywhere, any time, is a must-see.

For the dancing, the music and the overall visuals, the final scene with the battle between Siegfried and Rothbert is as good as the arts get IMO.

I also like that because no two productions are staged exactly the same way, there is always variation. In Swan Lake it is often with the series of national dances that takes place in the court scene in the middle, or with the role of the jester at the start.

Where you are, Northern Ballet will feature Swan Lake in their programme every couple of years or so. I know that a Russian Ballet troupe are in the UK in the spring and playing in Edinburgh in March. A live performance with a proper orchestra is well worth it.

Thanks, J. I'll check it out.

[Smartie]

I was lucky enough to go on a school trip to Russia in 1993.

One of the trips arranged for us was a trip to the ballet in Mocow to see Swan Lake. It was the one part of the trip that the majority of the teenage boys hated.

I loved it. At that time I was quite musical, and seeing the ballet accompanied by the live orchestra absolutely blew me away.

Obviously I had to play it cool and pretend to be as unimpressed as everyone else, but it really was top notch.

[overdrive]

I’d love to go see one. Nobody else seems to fancy it though. I might just try and go myself.

[Moulin Yarns]

I’d love to go see one. Nobody else seems to fancy it though. I might just try and go myself.

Nutcracker is on in Glasgow Concert hall this Sunday. I was looking for 2 tickets but there are only singles available.

[Mibbes Aye]

Scottish Ballet’s production of Cinderella is still on in Edinburgh until Sunday and then goes to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness in January.

It is a proper ballet but the humour of the story is retained with the two ugly sisters. They are a standout, in part because they manage the tricky job of dancing badly, well, at times. I think there were a couple of comedians, Les Dawson was one and maybe Victor Borge (one for the older generation) who could manage the trick of deliberately playing the piano badly yet skilfully and I imagine it is as difficult as producing a textbook performance, if not more so.

Add to that a scrumptious score by Prokofiev, one of the finest in the ballet repertoire and probably only outdone by Swan Lake for me.

Well worth a visit.

[Moulin Yarns]

I prefer modern ballet to the traditional, Edward scissorhands as modern ballet was amazing, also seen Alice in wonderland, Rumplestiltskin and rapunzel in recent years.

[Mibbes Aye]

I prefer modern ballet to the traditional, Edward scissorhands as modern ballet was amazing, also seen Alice in wonderland, Rumplestiltskin and rapunzel in recent years.

I think there's an argument for both.

The classics are simply that - classics.

Modern dance can be incredible too - the Rambert 'Ghost Dances' is better than almost every classic I've seen.

[Moulin Yarns]

I think there's an argument for both.

The classics are simply that - classics.

Modern dance can be incredible too - the Rambert 'Ghost Dances' is better than almost every classic I've seen.

I tried to get tickets for the Nutcracker in Glasgow a week on Sunday but there were only a few single seats left, kinky boots at the playhouse instead :-)

[Mibbes Aye]

I tried to get tickets for the Nutcracker in Glasgow a week on Sunday but there were only a few single seats left, kinky boots at the playhouse instead :-)

Enjoy nevertheless :greengrin

[Colr]

I’ve been to modern ballet (Michael Clark Company and Ballet Rambert) and really enjoyed it. I’m not as drawn to traditional dance but was at a rehearsal for Scottish Ballet once when I was working on a dance school scheme. Up close, the athleticism and skill of the dancers was breathtaking.

[overdrive]

I got a ticket to the Nutcracker at the EICC via itison. This will be my first ballet... looking forward to it.

[Mibbes Aye]

I got a ticket to the Nutcracker at the EICC via itison. This will be my first ballet... looking forward to it.

The Nutcracker is a great ballet and a good introduction, if it is your first time. Great score and a very good plot. I've not seen Ballet West before but they have a good reputation.

Hope you enjoy it.

[Saturday Boy]

I got a ticket to the Nutcracker at the EICC via itison. This will be my first ballet... looking forward to it.

I think the biggest surprise will be the sound of an orchestra. Assuming that there is one.
The athleticism and strength of the dancers can be breathtaking, but if you’ve never experienced a full orchestra, it’s amazing. And no amplification.

Looking forward to your detailed review.

Enjoy the experience

[Mibbes Aye]

I think the biggest surprise will be the sound of an orchestra. Assuming that there is one.
The athleticism and strength of the dancers can be breathtaking, but if you’ve never experienced a full orchestra, it’s amazing. And no amplification.

Looking forward to your detailed review.

Enjoy the experience

I would have to wholeheartedly agree with this.

The ballet is kinetic, the energy of the dancers and the attention of the set designers, but the orchestra makes it - by their nature ballet scores tend towards the rich and melodramatic and none more so than Tchaikovsky.

As I think I may have posted earlier on here however, I would praise Prokofiev's score for "Cinderella", it is sumptious. Regardless, "The Nutcracker" has one of the best scores on offer, full of moments.

[Jim44]

I would have to wholeheartedly agree with this.

The ballet is kinetic, the energy of the dancers and the attention of the set designers, but the orchestra makes it - by their nature ballet scores tend towards the rich and melodramatic and none more so than Tchaikovsky.

As I think I may have posted earlier on here however, I would praise Prokofiev's score for "Cinderella", it is sumptious. Regardless, "The Nutcracker" has one of the best scores on offer, full of moments.

Slightly off topic but a week past Sunday, I took my grandkids to Glasgow Concert Hall to see a screening of the Disney film Brave, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra playing the score live. It was stunning.

[overdrive]

I think the biggest surprise will be the sound of an orchestra. Assuming that there is one.
The athleticism and strength of the dancers can be breathtaking, but if you’ve never experienced a full orchestra, it’s amazing. And no amplification.

Looking forward to your detailed review.

Enjoy the experience

It’s the music that I’m looking forward to most.

[overdrive]

Slightly off topic but a week past Sunday, I took my grandkids to Glasgow Concert Hall to see a screening of the Disney film Brave, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra playing the score live. It was stunning.

There’s a similar thing at the Usher Hall soon with my childhood favourite, The Goonies. The tickets are extortionate though.