Volcanic sky

I went up to London today - I had to collect my watch from a jeweller where it was being serviced, I met Gavin for a quick lunch, and then I went on a backstage tour of the Royal Opera House.

It was absolutely fascinating - I learnt so many interesting facts about how the ROH works and how they change sets so quickly. Being a repertory company, they can put on two different operas and a ballet in one week, and in one day they can change sets three times for different rehearsals and then again for that evening's performance. When the opera house was closed for renovations from 1997-99, they installed a technically superior system of floors sliding in and out of the stage into a storage area behind scenes (two acres of floor space!). So as a production finishes all the set is loaded onto the stage floor and it is slid out and another floor takes it's place for the next production. Prior to that the set had to be dismantled and carried out to a waiting truck and then driven off to a warehouse.

They have 950 full time employees at the ROH. The ballet company are all permanent staff (on a one year contract) as is their opera chorus, but the conductor and the opera lead roles are employed for each opera - usually negotiated 3-5 years in advance! We saw some male ballet dancers rehearsing - whew, what perfect bodies! And we shared a lift with Marianela Nunez, their principal ballerina - she even walks gracefully - and nearly tripped over Steven McRae, the principal male dancer who was stretching in the corridor after his rehearsal! The costume department is now housed in Covent Garden, although larger sets are created at their facilities in Thurrock. Over the years shows are repeated, so sets are stored in warehouses in Wales. Last year their costs were £130 million, and their revenue was £42 million - now you know why the tickets are so expensive! It takes many years for a production to break even. However, government grants and donations help to fill the pot.

When I got home by train, I saw this amazing sunset. That sky looks like a rumbling volcano! I have added an extra of Trafalgar Square looking bright and sunny on a supposedly cloudy day.