Welsand's in London

The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera Hall

On Saturday Jeremy and I had the rare occasion of a night out and what a night it was! Our friend Renee came over to watch Sophie for the evening while we went out for dinner, drinks, and ballet. Dinner and drinks were at the Amphitheater Restaurant located in the Royal Opera House. Jeremy enjoyed his crab cake appetizer most, while I enjoyed the best gnocchi I have ever had as my main course. Wine was good, free house champagne was not. We also ordered dessert which was ready for us to enjoy quickly during the interval (intermission). Again, I lucked out and had an incredible dessert of roasted pistachios in a heavy cream with berries on the side--it was to die for! Jeremy had a chocolate cake type dessert that was okay.


The show we saw was called La Fille mal gardee or the Wayward Daughter at the Royal Opera House. Our seats were quite high but we had a center view of the show. The dancers were incredible! Here's more about the show per the Royal Ballet website:

Frederick Ashton's pastoral comedy La Fille mal gardée is one of the most beautifully constructed of all ballets, full of detailed character observation and poetic lyricism suited to its story of young love.

First performed in 1960, it has established itself as one of the most charming works in the Company repertory, and is always a sunny addition to the Season.

Although Widow Simone is determined to marry her daughter Lise off to the simple son of a wealthy farmer, Lise has other plans. She is head over heels in love with the poor Colas, and both use every trick they can to outwit the Widow so they can be together.

Hérold's tuneful score, arranged by John Lanchbery, provided Ashton with the perfect soundscape for his witty cameo of a picture-book countryside: haywains and ponies, maypoles and ribbons, comic hens and hidden keys are just some of the images he uses, set against the bucolic designs of Osbert Lancaster.

posted by Chris @ 2:47 PM