LAST EDITED ON 30-10-02 AT 10:31 AM (GMT)

This is a 'thought' rather than a 'review'. I found the performance very special. I had done a ‘double header’. I got up at the crack of dawn to queue for a ‘come and risk it’ rehearsal ticket as well as a day ticket for the first night. Although I have the DVD, I had not seen Mayerling live and I found the experience quite overwhelming – and twice in one day! The Cope/Rojo/Tapper cast did the rehearsal and, of course, the Kobborg/Cojocaru/Galeazzi cast in the evening. Although I naturally have my personal favourites, I’m reluctant to pick any individual dancers out for praise as, in my opinion, they were all outstanding.

I'll want to post something more detailed later but I have to say I thought Kobborg was incredible, just absolutely brilliant. He totally made the role of Rudolf his own. Mara too, and I can't wait to her see her as Vetsera. The surprise for me was Cojocaru - I went in prepared to be disappointed but instead I found her so very convincing. In spite of her sweet exterior, it felt like there was this hint of deviousness behind it. I feel like I really watched her dance as a woman in the ballet, even though Vetsera is supposed to be only 17 (and I wasn't totally convinced in Onegin). Really have to hand to whoever coached her. And of course their pdds did not disappoint. I thought the whole cast were wonderful and the music so, so beautiful - you really feel it in the pit of your stomach! I'd only seen Mayerling on video myself and it just does not compare - you don't see how sumptuous the velevety drapes are and what a gorgeous production it really is.

I too had never seen the ballet before and it was also the first time I had seen Cojocaru dance properly. Kobborg as well was a revelation. But then the supporting cast also left me open-mouthed: Putrov in particular and also (name might not be remembered properly) the relatively junior Bethany Keating who played Rudolf's wife.

It was simply stunning. Can't think of anything more erudite than that I'm afraid!

Sorry but I think I will stick to watching Mayerling on my projector! I simply will not pay £40 for such poor seats!

As I've only seen Mayerling on tv before, I was not sure what to expect but its infinitely better enjoyed live as the complexities of plot etc come across much better.

I thought the whole thing was amazing -sets, costumes and ensemble perforamce. I've not seen something that moved or impressed me this much in a long time.

I had the privilege of attending the pre-performance talk on Wed 30th, which was given by Monica Mason. She gave us an outline of the ballet, and the true history of Crown Prince Rudolph, especially his very difficult childhood.He was kept apart from his mother and had a series of harsh tutors.This helped to explain the scene where he dances with his mother in her rooms and they find it so hard to communicate.
Monica also described the tragedy of Sir Kenneth Macmillan's death ten years ago during the performance of Mayerling.
She was a close friend of Sir Kenneth and it was very moving to
hear her describe the sad events of that night.
I then went in to see Robert Tewsley as Rudolph,he gave the most fantastic performance ,as did Mara Galeazzi as Mary Vetsera.The whole cast were excellent, with special mention of Ricardo Cervera as Bratfisch, just superb!