19 February 2019 at 10.37pm | 78 Comments
#ROHdonq watching my first live streamed ballet and what magical, stunning and gorgeous performance it is! well done everyone, love from Stockholm
— Milena Vranjes (@Milvra) February 19, 2019
Can’t help but clap along with everyone in the cinema in Norwich, the energy is transmitting through the screen! Beautiful! #ROHdonq
— Holly (@_HollyPercy) February 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/OheMCee/status/1098172187280920576
Watching Don Quixote at Palace Cinema, Gorleston. Akane Takada is simply wonderful to watch, such grace and elegance. It's quite simply mind boggling how simple she makes it look. #ROHdonq
— Dan Jermy (@jermy118) February 19, 2019
Loving all the acts in #ROHdonq. @ACampbell_1 is smashing it tonight！Lots of love from Iceland ！
— SANOM (@SANOM00) February 19, 2019
#ROHdonq in Newcastle! Absolute fire from Anna-Rose. Thank you @RoyalOperaHouse for bringing the magic live to the North East of England!
— Lorna Reston (@LornaReston) February 19, 2019
Finding Sancho absolutely hilarious watching in Coventry! #ROHdonq
— beth (@BethTierney_) February 19, 2019
Fave things about #ROHdonq so far: @ACampbell_1's epic swagger and charm. Beatriz's face when the matadors entered. @AR_OSullivan sparkling in the Garden of the Dryads. And I'm confident the best is yet to come...
— Georgina Wells (@Wells15G) February 19, 2019
Loved the second act of Don Quijote: the duet, the gypsies, the dryades in the white ballet. Beautiful #ROHdonq #Wageningen @Heerenstraat
— ton van den born (@tonvandenborn) February 19, 2019
#Act2 @TheRoyalBallet #ROHdonq entering into the mind of Don Q; completely mesmerising, magical, mystical and dream like - @DominionCinema #Edinburgh
— Katey Warran (@Katey_W) February 19, 2019
#ROHdonq STRUGGLING to find right words to describe the pure joy of the gypsy camp and the total contrasting twinkle of the dryads. Electrified in Stafford UK.
— English Lavender (@EnglishLavanda) February 19, 2019
#ROHdonq From Benidorm, Spain, I must say that this is the second time I watch Carlos Acosta's view of Don Q and still impresses me profoundly. Great work of art!.
— Delia De Borda (@DeliaDeBorda) February 19, 2019
Are they clapping where you are? Lots of clapping in Sheffield! @sheffieldlight #ROHdonq
— Nicole Brown (@cprsmum) February 19, 2019
#ROHdonq amazing set, incredibly colorful costumes, joyful, powerful and energetic atmosphere but also great technique ????
Loved watching @TheRoyalBallet from Italy— Chiara Arrigoni (@chiararrigoni) February 19, 2019
What did you think of Don Quixote live in cinemas?
Share your thoughts via the comments below, or by using #ROHdonq.
The next live cinema relay of the 2018/19 Season is La forza del destino on 2 April 2019. Find your nearest cinema and sign up to our mailing list.
Encore screenings of Don Quixote take place at select venues in the coming weeks.
19 February 2019 at 10.37pm
This article has been categorised Ballet and tagged Akane Takada, Alexander Campbell, by Carlos Acosta, cinema, Don Quixote
This article has 78 comments
An amazing experience - such a talented company and Alexander Campbell was outstanding
Just seen it in Cranleigh, Surrey. The best ballet I've ever seen- totally floored by it all. Took a friend who has never been to the ballet and she adored it too- thank you for livestreaming as you've opened up the world of ballet to many new audiences
I can't stop smiling. One of the most enjoyable ballets ever. Such fantastic athletes and so talented. It brought tears to my eyes.
This was a magical production, enjoyed every minute of it. Congratulations, May we have more like this - these productions let the ordinary man/woman in the street see productions that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
It was a privilege to see this performance. I loved every moment of it and didn't want it to end. All the dancers were superb but Campbell and Takane were sublime. They are perfect together. Thank you Carlos Acosta and ROH.
Just returned from watching THE most fabulous performance of Don Quixote. Extraordinary!! Not enough superlatives to describe the whole experience.
we were watching in the Netherlands. this is really fantastic, beautiful and stunning performance! really the best performance I have ever seen before!!!
Amazing Akane Takada! Just incredible!
Watched this wonderful ballet full of fun and so much energy. Just loved every minute. £21 at the Odeon in Orpington - now that’s what I call fantastic value for money. Not one seat spare and people could not help clapping.
Everyone involved has made this a fabulous ballet! Carlos Acosta has given it spice. energy and the dancing was perfection . Thank you all so much. Divine costumes !
Wish there was an encore nearby!
What a wonderful evening, thank you to you all.
I can still scarcely believe that I could pop down the road (in Newbury) and watch something like that. It was delightful in so many ways. It must have touched thousands who could not normally expect to afford such an experience. Congatulations, and thank you very much. More please...
Great performance by all tonight at Nantgarw (Cardiff) cinema. The combination of Akane and Alexander is as good as Marianela and Vadim's which I saw last Friday. Also Yuhui Choe and Beatriz Stik-Brunell deserve a special mention. Altogether a fantastic cast and I am sure that Carlos is as pleased with tonight's performance as he was after Friday evening's first night.
What a truly amazing evening the royal ballet never looked happier .the whole performance was breathtaking .
The performance by Alexander was stupendous with an enigmatic smile and energetic dancing it was a beautiful evening and we clapped too at Boston West End Cinema
Good production visually and Takada a good prformanc. Campbll tchnically good but not xciting .. no pzazz lik Bairshnikov as Basilio.
Alexander Campbell technically good..but...
So agree with all the above comments ! Are you do a full cast list etc of this evening or is it possible to purchase a full programme please .
Fabulous performance, loved every minute. Was watching in Llanelli, South Wales. So grateful to be able to see such artisty locally. Thank you.
Carlos Acosta’s stunning choreography of this amazing ‘fee;-good’ ballet is the best version of ‘Don Q’ EVER!
This is a story well told and ballet performed to the highest standards at its very very best. The exceptional talent and the standard of delivery was so high right across the board it makes it extremely difficult to single out any performer as they were ALL so magnificent – many on a par with the principal dancers. The best way I can put it is to say:
The principal dancers were awesome;
The corps de ballet were spectacular;
The costumes were stunning;
The sets and scene transformations were amazing;
The lighting was magnificent;
The orchestrations were inspirational;
The guitarists were brilliant;
And the music was sublime
As to the interviews - they were sparkling and enlightening and seeing Carlos Acosta and Dame Darcey Bussell coaching was the cherry on the cake.
Thank you one and all for a wonderful memorable evening.
I was at the screening at the Odeon Mansfield Nottingham. The ballet is so uplifting. Energetic vibrant funny and skillful. Thank you.
Beautiful ballet with gorgeous costumes and settings. Loved Campbell's Basilio but thought Takada lacked real joy with the role of Kitri, although technically brilliant. The sets seemed to swallow up the stage and although it created an intimate performance , the principal dancers didn't have enough room between them and the rest of the cast to really stand out. I was also really disappointed that it wasn't Marianela and Vadim's version which was streamed.
What has happened to the original DonQ thread? I posted there yesterday and am now feeling somewhat let down. Some of us want to be able to comment on a range of live performances as well as about the cinema relay (which is only one cast).
I also posted comments on the original Don Q thread on Saturday after the MN & VM performance the previous night. The comments didn't appear until several days later and now the thread has been deleted. Clearly there must be a problem with it. Will it come back I ask?
Hi Michael,
There was a technical issue but that thread has now been restored.
All the best,
Becky
Sadly did not see Don Q in Shepherds Bush Vue. The screen was blank. After 15 minutes they said they could not get it to work. We got our refunds and sadly had to leave the cinema.
Very disappointed!!
Hi Irma,
Thank you for your message. We are sorry to hear that the live screening of Don Quixote was cancelled at your local venue.
There were no issues with the transmission leaving the ROH on the evening, so we will follow up with the cinema in question with the aim of preventing this for future broadcasts.
Best regards,
ROH Cinema Team
It is the best ballet l have seen truly amazing. Fancy being able to drive a mile from home and watch The Royal Ballet out of this world. More please.
Absolutely fabulous! Lucky enough to have been to The Royal Opera House many times but first time I have seen Live Cinema relay and what a fantastic experience it was......never expected it to be so brilliantly done......well done everyone at the ROH.....cannot praise it enough especially wonderful for those who cannot get to London or afford to go in person......so impressed....Thanks to everyone who had a hand in it. ❤️❤️❤️
If anyone who commented here had ever seen Maya Plisetskaya and Vasiliev in Don Quixote, they would know how the ballet really should look and feel like. The video from 1959 reminds about the great performance!
It's sad that nowdays people are impressed with technic rather than with soul of ballet. Both main dances yesterday would be great in other roles: Gisel for one, Nutcracker for another. Don Quixote is not their role...
I can also see that patterns are no longer respected in ballet here. Just dress everyone in dazzling colourful costumes and put expensive decorations, and the work is done. I didn't expect such low standards from ROH. With respect. V
With all the respect and admiration that I have towards the Royal Ballet, I agree with you. Besides virtuosity, in Don Q the dancers, specially the two principals, really need to give, not only "flavor" (sabor) to their dancing, but enormous amount of excitement and energy. I was very surprised to observe that not only Takada was lacking the latter qualities during the rehearsal RB posted, but the ballet master and D Bussel were really feeling ok with her interpretation!!! My only intention of making this comment is to contribute with positive feedback for a great company that I truly love and respect.
I’m afraid that I also have to agree with you. I did not feel a passion from Takada/Campbell. I have seen many performances by the Royal Ballet, both on and off screen and this performance was not up to the usual standard. Timing mistakes were noted in many of the group dances and as someone has already mentioned, there did not appear to be enough room for the dancers to perform on stage. We were so looking forward to this performance , but compared to others we have seen, it unfortunately seemed second-rate.
An amazing joyful ballet, the principal dancers were wonderful to watch. A ballet to watch again ..definately .Thank you ROH for cinema screening without which I would not get to see such wonderful performances.
If anyone who commented here had ever seen Maya Plisetskaya and Vasiliev in Don Quixote, they would know how the ballet really should look and feel like. The video from 1959 reminds about the great performance!
It's sad that nowdays people are impressed with technic rather than with soul of ballet. Both main dances yesterday would be great in other roles: Gisel for one, Nutcracker for another. Don Quixote is not their role...
I can also see that patterns are no longer respected in ballet here. Just dress everyone in dazzling colourful costumes and put expensive decorations, and the work is done. I didn't expect such low standards from ROH. With respect.
Why do you, V Molotova, feel you need to register the same purile negative comments twice, within the space of 15 minutes.
Can you point out the part of a dancer, which is called the soul. I cant find it on any anatomical charts.
Opera House stage is not big enough for these fabulous dancers - or is the scenery taking up too much space? Alexander Campbell didn’t have enough room for his manège and he’s hardly got the longest legs around, though he can certainly move and jump. Magnificent vertical splits lift by these two principals - best I’ve ever seen, even if they did fudge (beautifully) the second one. Need to see it again!
Thank you for your insightful comment. I have the total and utmost respect for all of them, and follow their careers closely, but I DID spot the "beautiful fudge", though they carried it off so perfectly, if I hadn't seen it live on Friday 15th, I would have wondered if I had imagined it. They are professionals however, and continued seamlessly. Massive respect and loved every minute.
Very much enjoyed Don Quixote live relay last night. Alexander Campbell was charming. I really enjoy seeing the dancers in smaller roles in the live relays. Beatriz Stix-Brunell in particular. Found presentation by Kirsten McNally very informative, for instance pointing out the strength of the RB women, flamenco dancing gipsies one minute and then classical white scenes of Dryads the next. I am coming to see this production live too as I want to see Osipova as Kitri.
Sadly didn't see Don Q at Vue, Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh due to technical issues. Very disappointed to have missed what was obviously a great night!
Hi Meg,
It is a shame that you were unable to see yesterday’s screening of Don Quixote due to technical issues at your local cinema.
The feed leaving the ROH that evening was unproblematic, so we will investigate the issue with the venue in question in the hope of resolving this for future screenings.
Best regards,
ROH Cinema Team
Another superb ballet from the ROH. Whoever decided to show both opera and ballet from the ROH at local cinemas deserves to be commended - classics for the masses at a reasonable cost means many people are more familiar with these great works and the true professionals who provide them. DonQ is merely another example of the mixing of the classical works with the more modern. I love it.
Another superb ballet from the ROH. Whoever decided to show both opera and ballet from the ROH at local cinemas deserves to be commended - classics for the masses at a reasonable cost means many people are more familiar with these great works and the true professionals who provide them. DonQ is merely another example of the mixing of the classical works with the more modern. I love itk.
A stunning performance with technical perfection in the dancing, outstanding sets, costumes and music The original setting of La Mancha became more like Andalucia but all to great effect and added to the Spanish nature of the production. Actually enjoyed the screening better than watching in the theatre as could appreciate the acting and facial expressions in close up. Overall fabulous!
Saw Don Q last night and just loved it. Especially liked Mercedes - she danced with such joy it was wonderful to see. I now want to see it in the flesh - and take my granddaughters!
I agree. Mayara Magri has blossomed over the past 18 months. Not sure what has happened but she has ARRIVED. Watch this space. Wonderful performance, mesmerising, your eye is drawn to her wherever she is. Similarly, Isabella Gasparini - I think we will be seeing a lot more of her in the next decade. Best of luck to them both.
The roar of appreciation and affection that greeted AkaneTadaka and Alexander Campbell at the end of Don Quixote said it all. It was a triumph for both artists, who dazzled not only in the bravura choreography but in presenting believable and likeable characters in a relationship that deepened as the evening progressed. Throughout, both dancers showed an entirely appropriate mutual concern and support as partners which was also deeply touching. I've never quite figured out how he does it, but Alexander Campbell has a way of drawing in the audience, so that they experience the excitement of his performance, something which comes in mighty handy in a role like Basilio. His and Akane Tadaka’s winning performances will remain vividly in my memory.
The work was well cast throughout, with Valentino Zuchetti and the (unnamed) Gypsy Chief seizing their opportunities and providing an authentic Spanish frisson not found in their colleagues, who remain somewhat English in their bearing. I reckon if they could get down and dirty it would liven up matters no end.
Don Quixote at Aberdeen’s Belmont Filmhouse was my first Royal Ballet screening and I rate it a total success. I shall now return to kicking myself to a pulp for missing La Bayadère. Any likelihood of a re-run?
[Not for putting up but for you,please.....] You have printed my post above i.e. "What has happened to the original DonQ thread? I posted there yesterday and am now feeling somewhat let down. Some of us want to be able to comment on a range of live performances as well as about the cinema relay (which is only one cast)." but you have not offered a reply. Please would you be so kind as to reassure us that the original thread was taken down only temporarily to avoid confusion with the one concerned with the cinema relay and that it will be re-instated shortly.? I am not the only person who has expressed concern about this. Many thanks.
Hi,
There was a technical issue but that thread has now been restored.
All the best,
Becky
Unfortunately there wasn't a live screening near me so I have only seen the FB extract of the dance by Anna Rose O Sullivan as Amour. It started off well but I felt she wasn't confident pirouetting across the stage and the hands deteriorated and became very floppy midway through the piece.
I agree with ElleG above. Why has the original (non-cinema) thread been removed? I had added a heartfelt comment on there which has now disappeared into the ether.
Hi Nicola,
There was a technical issue but that thread has now been restored.
All the best,
Becky
Beautiful !
I agree with virtually all the comments here other than those of V Molotova. At least viewed live (I have yet to see the screening) I think both Nunez/Muntagirov and Takada/Campbell are easily a match for the Maya Plisetskaya and Vasiliev video performance, in soul as well as dazzling technique. This RB production does use great costumes and staging, but to suggest that this is all it amounts to, is frankly an insult to its amazing dancers. There are also some wonderful classical "patterns" here, with the Dryads in Act 2.
Well said. Thank you.
Does anyone else find Akane Takada's Pointe shoes a strange shape shape at the toe?
Yes I noticed this too.
Yes, Akanes darning on her shoes was a bit chunky! It could have at least have been couloured the same as the shoe. Everything else in Don Q is so exquisite, at least for filming the principle could do better than wearing tatty point shoes. I darn shoes regularly and it is easy to make it invisible.
My country doesn't have cinema screenings from the Royal Ballet. I really really want to see this cast performing this wonderful ballet. I hope it will be on DVD soon too :)
Unfortunately, the cinemas in my country don't have screenings from the Royal Ballet.
I really really want to see this cast in this wonderful ballet.
I hope it will be on DVD too :)
Cineworld at Dalton Park was also unable to receive the transmission of Don Quixote.We received a refund but were dissapointed at not seeing the performance.
Hi Robert,
Thank you for feedback. We are sorry to hear that your local cinema was unable to screen the live screening of Don Quixote on Tuesday evening.
There were no problems with the feed leaving the Opera House that evening, so we will investigate this with the venue in question in the hope of preventing this for future broadcasts.
Best regards,
ROH Cinema Team
I saw the performance in the cinema Otello in Ascona (Switzerland), and I'm so grateful that they do this (because the audience is limited)!
Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote has restored my interest in the classical ballet. It was breathtakingly well done down to the last surprising detail..
And to see Akane Takada perform her art is almost not of this world!
Thank you all!
Strange my critical comments about Amour on the FB extract haven't appeared
Agree that the stage does not give room to the principal dancers and scenes are too busy behind them. I think D Bussell was giving necessary encouragement but must have thought things were lacking really. She was one of our great dancers.
Actually I thought the opposite...it seemed like DB didn't really have anything of much use to suggest that could improve on the wonderful technique and grace Takada was already displaying, and which served her so well in the live performance.
We absolutely loved Don Quixote in the cinema - and I agree completely with all the enthusiastic comments from those who enjoyed the show. I thought Alexander Campbell and Takada Akane were terrific - and it was really good to see some younger dancers having the chance to be live screened, which with all the close ups, must make performing even more nerve racking.Enntire cast fab too - thank you RB. (Just a plea to let us see the whole stage as much as possible - I hate missing anything!
Normally I watch the ballet in France but few a few weeks in the year I am in Orlando Florida. Really disappointed I missed this one and surprised you do not have a contract with a cinema in Orlando: not even for a recorded version. I can see the Bolshoi here. Why not the Royal Ballet and how am I ever going to see this highly appreciated performance
Hi Ronald,
Thank you for your feedback. We have passed your comments onto our International Distributor who will investigate possible venues in the Orlando area.
Please feel free to visit our website at https://www.roh.org.uk/cinemas where you can find the locations, times and dates of Don Quixote screenings in Florida or France. We also have a previous season's performance of Don Quixote available on DVD which can be purchased from our shop at https://shop.roh.org.uk/.
Best regards,
ROH Cinema Team
We weren't free to catch the cinema screening so we attended the following evening's performance with Marianela Nunez, Vadim Muntagirov, Christopher Saunders, Ryoichi Hirano (Espada), Laura Morera (Mercedes), Yuhui Choe & Beatriz Stix-Brunell, Bennet Gartside (as Gamache), Claire Calvert (as Queen of the Dryads) and Anna Rose O'Sullivan (as Amour) in the lead roles. What superb, fantastic performances! And plaudits to all the matadors and the quartet of beggar boys (love the cartwheels from one of them)! It's not my favourite version as there are a few details which are a little too odd for me, but it's a colourful and lively production that (most importantly) the dancers seem to enjoy. Wonderful dancing and acting from all.
Very much enjoyed the performance from Parma in Italy. Hope to see more performances soon! Is there are DVD available?
Don Q was yet again AMAZING!!!! This was our 3rd time seeing it but first in the cinema.
The scenary is great and love how it really gives the village atmosphere! The dancers were great and it was soo lovely to see again! It always puts a smile on your face, and definately my favourite Production and Ballet!
With seeing it at the cinema its sometimes slightly anoying when they focus on one person or something so you dont see everything as dont like missing any bits!
Really look forward to the next time!
M
Watched the encore from Wareham in Dorset - absolutely stinking!
Very disappointed to get a B team at WGC yesterday. Alexander Campbell did OK but was hampered by his unemotional partner Akada who had all the steps but nothing above the waist that suggested she was in love or indeed lovable. It must have been like dancing with Turandot. The music was well matched to her performance. The staging was excellent and the production always on the go (a bit too much perhaps)
Didn't like the production overall some weird bits in it the shouting- too much clapping on stage in the first act and the large corps de ballet was distracting,, The Dons horse looked like a Warhorse reject and Dulcinella looked like she had appeared from Act 2 of Giselle!! The dancing was overall excellent but lacked any real fire Technique yes Fire no . Thought the Gypsies dance too contemporary rather than Demi caractere Moving set in act ! unnecessary and distracting from the action
We saw the encore screening in Swansea on Sunday. There have already been many superlative comments but to add to them, Alexander Campbell and Takada Akane were superb and their timing together was immaculate. The set was very colourful and imaginative. It was also great to hear the background information on the ballet, which is a real bonus for these live ballet and opera screenings. Hearing the score reminds us of when John Curry used this in the winter olympics in 1976.
Watched live cinema of royal ballet don quixote. Wonderful performance especially from principal dancers akane Takada and alexander Campbell they were amazing. Best wishes to all the cast members...happy viewers from edinburgh.
I watched the cinema screening last week and it was outstanding! I couldn't stop smiling and I was entranced by every moment of the ballet - as was my 82 year old grandmother (an ex-ballet dancer). We both thought it was the most beautiful productions we had ever seen (high praise from my grandmother, as she has seen countless ballets throughout her lifetime). I am shocked by some of the negative comments I have read - I believe it was an impeccable performance and I hope that one day I will be privileged enough to watch it at the Royal Opera House itself! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see this joyful ballet, I can't wait to go and see the next cinema screening.
I have been enjoying these streamings enormously, but the last two have started to buffer, which is very distracting when watching ballet. This has only started this year, is there a reason? Don Quixote was excellent, but I do agree that there was some lack of chemistry between the lovers.
Loved the cinema screening with Akane and Alexander ; very sad that I may never see Vadim and Marianella together in this . I saw Marianella and Carlos who were incredible , but reading the previous posts feel I am missing out on what was an exceptional performance !!