Ballet on the big screen
- 1 June 2011 23:21108574My wife is a big ballet fan so we went to the Market Square this evening to see Manon beamed live from the Royal Opera House.
Dover was one of eight venues around the country and provided that special ambience that we all know and love - the screen covered in seagull s
, the security fence around the fountain, the lovely trench in front of the screen, a 'cultural gathering' of youngsters in front of the museum, cyclists showing off their skills for a new found audience, and not forgetting during a particularly sensitive piece the BMW driver who parked his car bumper 2 feet from the Barclays cash machine so he had to walk no further than absolutely necessary, then turned round and drove back out so he had to drive no further than necessary.
Thumbs up though for the fire brigade crew who had to drive past the screen but stopped and apologised for blocking the view
But we did enjoy it.
The small but enthusiastic crowd, pictured here in the first interval, cheered whenever Dover was mentioned but weren't up to the levels of the 6000 in Trafalgar Square.
After a quick refresher in Blakes during the second interval I met a not-to-be-named councillor who claimed it was too high brow for him and walked off scoffing his takeaway!
The next one is Madam Butterfly by the Royal Opera on July 4th - maybe a few more forumites might turn up and Peter could arrange pre-ordering of interval drinks - 2 June 2011 06:05108582Not such a grand setting with all that work going on.
Has the fountain beed "fairied" again, so soon after being turned on.
We must present an amazing picture to visitors.
Greater crowds might bring some enterprising cafe owner to stay open, or is it the other way round ?
Roger - Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
2 June 2011 06:43108586With the greatest respect Ray, why anyone would want to watch such a beautiful event as ballet in the middle of those roadworks beats me.-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - 2 June 2011 09:06108601A good story there Ray, well done with that. it must be hard to get into the ballet right there with all that going on as Jan says. I went over there for Englands venture in the World Cup and that was quite successful with a big noisy crowd....but generally speaking the screen doesnt appear to be resonating with the punters.email: dover7@msn.com
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
2 June 2011 09:13108602We can't moan that they don't try, a number of different events on the big screen.
Yes it would be nice to tidy the area, and see bigger crowds.
The cafe owners in todays climuch small crowds ate need to see a return, and with small crowds unlikely to use there facilities can't see them opening.
they rarely open for the switch on and that brings in big crowds.ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 2 June 2011 09:16108603No need for a cafe to stay open, The Ellie were doing a roaring trade in non-alcoholic hot drinks!
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
2 June 2011 09:20108604There you have it then, the Ellie has seen the market and gone for it
well done to themALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 2 June 2011 09:29108605the effort seems to have been made, we have had the "proms", carol concerts, football and now ballet.
i did not see any signs up reminding people it was on though. - 2 June 2011 14:25108625A good effort but a dreadful spoiler in the mesh fences and roadworks which seem to have been there forever. And thumbs up to Ellies for capitalising.
- Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
2 June 2011 14:38108626at least you cant say it wasn't ring fenced can you. 
- 2 June 2011 16:25108658Ray & Roger, Chris & I saw Manon at the Royal Opera House at an earlier performance in May. A magical evening.
Not too highbrow for this unsophisticated councillor.
I would recommend anyone to visit the ROH, brilliant example of well spent Lottery money.
Watty - 2 June 2011 17:18108665I'm with you there Watty, the ROH is a joy to visit and take in a special performance of Ballet/Opera. I started with The English National Opera many years ago and was so transfixed by Madame Butterfly that I just wanted to see more and more. Living up in London at that time made it all very accessIble. I don't go so often nowadays but still like to go when I can
- 2 June 2011 21:57108710I'd never call you unsophisticated Paul; still a shame about the road-works though.
Roger - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
3 June 2011 07:11108731ROGER;
People call our paulw a lot worse, but hey ho
lol
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 3 June 2011 11:02108758It's only 'Highbrow" until you get used to it .....
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred - 6 June 2011 16:25109070The Royal Ballet are performing Romeo and Juliet at the spectacular O2 Arena on June17-19, tickets from £31.50 - £75.00. there are some offers still around at the moment, £48.00 seats down to £29.50.
This will be the first time the Royal Ballet perform in a UK arena. The performances will feature a filmed introduction to each act on giant live relay screens and live music from the Royal Philhormonic Orchestra
I love Romeo and Juliet, for me it is the world's greatest love story, this one will be a ballet spectable to remember, now where is my credit card Hopefully I can grab one of those offers.
I wonder will Dover have this one on the Big screen. - 6 June 2011 17:57109084romeo and juliet indeed, based on the life story of nigel and susan, i believe.
i would willingly shell out 48 quid to see that. - 6 June 2011 18:26109090Oh howard you devil but seriously it would be lovely to see it on the big screen as well as the O2 if one gets a chance.
- 6 June 2011 18:32109093DDC website not much help at present - "On the Big Screens....we'll be showing... "
All the Royal Opera House ones are sponsored by BP so I guess the O2 Arena has their sponsorship if any and won't be part of the same program.
http://www.dover.gov.uk/leisure,_culture__tourism/big_screen.aspx - 6 June 2011 19:43109099I have posted this before but can't we strive for something a bit more exciting in terms of surroundings as they have done in Birmingham?
