Rehearsing The Royal Ballet's Sleeping Beauty

[@eightysevenf]

WOW. Monica is so genius. I love the tip about the straightening of the elbow. Ah, The Royal Ballet... so much attention to the theatricality of ballet. I love it.

[@rossi7056]

yes I loved that tip, too! so subtle... so true!

[@erszidombihansen1237]

Kristen McNally is gorgeous dancer and Monica Mason, well there are no words to truly describe her artistic genius! Out of this world phenomenal. I saw her as Carabosse when I was a little girl took my breath away by her bewitching performance. A beautiful artist through and through!

[@classicalaid1]

Ms. Mason's Carabosse was one of the best I have ever seen, as well. Beyond belief and very intense. Someone needs to put together a compilation of the best Carabosses!

[@book9988]

I love how they always thanks the pianist, even though there not dancing, and will not be seen by the crowd, they are a vital part of the ballet, and I'm glad the respect that. And everyone I've seen in the Royal Ballet who's directing a rehearsal thanks and respects the musicians, which I find reflects on how good they really are.

[@saradiaz6179]

I saw Dame Monica dance this role late in her career. She was superb. Brava!

[@Kwantifye]

What a treat to watch this - Monica Mason is amazing. And how about that piano player - wow!

[@AnHeC]

Monica Mason is phenomenal! That was mesmerizing. I didn't even plan to watch the whole thing and now I've replayed it a few times!

[@blerksnarfgut7332]

I've loved this video for years! I'm a life-long fairy tale addict and I first really grew to appreciate the ballet version of Sleeping Beauty back during my junior year of college (almost 10 years ago), and that was partly due to this clip of Ms. Mason. Such class, intellect and depth of characterization! All teachers should be like her.

[@daffo595]

The first few bars and you can already tell how powerful the body language is

[@berilozdal8610]

Monica Mason is marvelous, she gives the feeling in sec. I don't think anyone can top her

[@MaraMarili]

The end was the best! Monica Mason has so expressive hands! Amazing

[@emitch9213]

nice to see monica mason-what a power character-dancer she was as she performed with no fear years ago in NYC (around 1969?) with the RB...great group of company then...such good memories and NYC loved RB arrival to NYC!! Best to you, Dame Monica Mason from St Louis, MO

[@iseetheWAYVision]

I love watching rehearsal

[@susanbaskerville5239]

Monica Mason was a fantastic dancer in her time her Mythra Queen of the willis is fab i just watched her in a production with the godess that is Lynn Seymour and the wonderful Rudolf Neryev wonderful !!!!!!

[@bisma1352]

this was my favourite role to see onscreen from the recent stream, thankyou for having filmed this absolute treat for us to watch

[@anainuy]

Oh my! The soloist is beautiful, but Monica Mason as Carabosse is genial!

[@kinomi111]

simply beautiful!

[@SweetLittleCarrot]

She moves with such a grace!

[@siegfried923]

Fancy being so lucky to be coached by Monica - the supreme Carabosse- Her interpretation was sublime far surpassing any of the male interpreters of the role Dowell included -She commands the stage from her first appearance and convincingly strikes fear into all of the assembly without it seeming overacted and forced as male interpretors can so often

[@theabrasileno1921]

The Soloist interpretation is more of a young vengeful Carabosse. Were the main goal is to inflict the curse and fear upon the people. But Monica's is more of the sophisticated Carabosse. She does the curse because she is Carabosse and there's nothing anybody can do about it. I love how such a character can be so differently interpreted by two dancers.

[@lilbatz]

I would not want to tangle with a Monica Carabosse. Lol

[@manicvisions6871]

she's so pretty and sweet, she's a great actress to pull off the evil part. .:)

[@Rahmuh555]

So very fascinating to watch.

[@alexanderleeart]

Very interesting, thanks for uploading this. I am amazed by how graceful Monica Mason is, despite her age. I think she does a better job with the arm motions then does the young dancer.

[@Thaylotus]

I'm pretty sure I've seen Dame Monica Mason today at the ROH.No need to be a ballet geek for that, the walls are kind of wallpapered with her photos since her dancing with Nureyev times. Saw her for the new McGregor (Carbon Life) but she vanished before the lights went on. She's like a living legend!

[@eiclan]

You know I have worked couple or two ballet s in my time and they never look the same from the wings as from front of house,All that puffing and thumping and the cigarette smoke in the green room but this was a joy to watch,a fountain of knowledge being soaked up by a perfect sponge/

[@Omarsh1692]

Monica could still be Carabosse in newer productions, I don't see why she isn't doing it :(

[@pinkwings8036]

Having her teach younger dancers means that her knowledge can be passed on after she's gone. If she keeps the role for her life, the knowledge goes with her.

[@iamclassicforlife]

This is wonderful!

[@skipperbonus]

lovely!!!

[@balletmaster]

old school better! Mason is so good in her coaching!

[@steemdup]

I like it when Carabosse is played by a male dancer.

[@ethanomarzipano8111]

I haven't ever thought that Carabosse's dressing WHITE under her usual black dress! Wonderful!

[@rlatimer10]

Wow Monica Mason!

[@Thisismyusername227]

i wish i could do ballet

[@iseetheWAYVision]

❤

[@tropforward]

"Hit her with the top of it." I went. :o

[@patriciafoster3347]

I could never rehearse with Monica. I’d faint every time she looked at me. 😅

[@Lady.Marmalard]

“And then beat him!”

[@bloodandwinearered]

I do not think this is a role for a young girl. This is a role Monica herself should perform.

[@Pollymichaelis]

she did

[@bloodandwinearered]

And she was magical.

[@elizzy8754]

Well, search for 'Carabosse curses Aurora Royal Ballet'. You will see Kristen's performance in full make up and costume and I can tell you she was very very good for a first time in the role.

[@SainterX]

Im hungry, think im guna go to mcdonalds.

[@herrbrucvald6376]

Anthony Dowell owns this part. See the 1994 production video. Most Carabosses seem merely like bitchy court ladies, and not as a symbol of Death and Disease as she should. What is so moving about the 1994 iteration is that we know the Queen is every woman who has ever held a sick baby in her arms. Why the '94 staging of this scene was eventually eschewed is beyond me.

[@iseetheWAYVision]

!mrdunn brucvald ah yes

[@syyodd39]

umm ya? :P