Mayerling: South Bank special, part 3, 1978

Part 3 of a South Bank special documenting the creation, background and first performance of the Royal Ballet's Mayerling; from 1978.

[@Shortypants1215]

Words cannot begin to express how grateful I am that you have posted this! The goddess that is Lynn Seymour is my favorite ballerina- the psychological and emotional intensity she brought to her roles made her a mad genius as well as a true artist. Although the ROB doesn't have a a full version of this original casting of Mayerling available, I am so very happy you have found this doc so we can at least catch a few glimpses of Seymour and the late, great geniuses of Mr. MacMIllan and Mr. Wall at work, in their prime. Thanks again!

[@DArtagnanmusic]

Go Laura Connor! Sublime performance!! :-) Thank you! X

[@tomaszstarzewski6459]

A fantastic 4 part documentary giving a new ballet audience an insight why Mayerling was and is such an important and daring ballet. As the first classical ballet choreographed for a male lead dancer its a unusual piece, Rudolf rarely leaves the stage making this role exceptionally demanding. The female roles are shared between 4 dancers covering the different sexual dynamics Rudolf has with woman. MacMillan is a genius at showing these appalling flaws of Rudolf and as he sinks into the nightmare of despair , you fall with him and ultimately forgive him. Today the Royal Ballet is a very different company under the leadership of Kevin Ohare and its a more international ensemble. Today’s dancers are more athletic and are physically stronger making this ballet a more aggressive affair creating a different dynamic that is electrifying and worth seeing. Thank you for the upload as its made fascinating viewing. Please watch on KZbin the later extracts from The Royal Ballet of Steven McRae and Sarah Lamb dancing the bedroom pas de deux , its a fascinating comparison.

[@siegfried923]

What a fantastic Cast was assembled for this all not only great dancers but Great Actors and actresses too Seymour Park Connor Wall et al Macmillans Genius was not recognized in full at this time and some of the Royal Opersa House s Committee were totally opposed to his work However time has proved them totally wrong in this,

[@noblesetsentimentales]

Not a fan of MacMillan's dramballets (I like quite a few of his non-narrative works, but the Royal Ballet ignores them for some reason) however, I'd watch these remarkable artists in almost anything.

[@karenkaren3189]

They really throw Mitzi around !

[@vino140]

Too much cocaine, Seymour? No, just bad ass Macmillan...

[@AlexanderArsov]

Really strange to hear Liszt's music (mis)used as a soundtrack to a stupid story and a ridiculous choreography.

[@Balletboy305]

A stupid story? hmmm isn't it real events?

[@felixdevilliers1]

@@Balletboy305 I agree Balletboy but there are a lot of philistines about.

[@susannevollmer2347]

MacMillan ; a genius in telling difficult storys and creating extraordinaire PDD`s The music is arragend perfect.What `s going on in your mind? The historic about Meyerling and the consequences for humans and later europe!

[@juliehodkinson8367]

It's a true story

[@siegfried923]

@@Balletboy305 /No Silly story True Dramatic events !! You making stupid comment! !! Read your Hapsburg History and the Tragedy of Mayerling