Darlings, December has been a simply divine month for the ballet enthusiast! The sheer audacity and craftsmanship on show in recent performances has left me positively gobsmacked. As a collector of tutus, naturally my eye was drawn to the artistry of the designers and how they interpreted this most iconic garment for the stage.
A Celebration of Tradition
- The Royal Balletās production of Swan Lake had me utterly enraptured. The swan tutus, those flowing plumes of white, oh they were sublime! Exquisitely crafted, with a lightness and delicate movement, a truly graceful testament to the tradition.
- The Vienna State Opera Ballet's production of Giselle was a stunning example of the power of a classic, perfectly-formed tutu, in its simplicity. Those ethereal skirts were positively swoon-worthy!
Bold, Edgy & Chic!
- But darling, itās not just the traditional that's exciting. The Dutch National Ballet, with their Aliceās Adventures in Wonderland, pushed boundaries with tutus reimagined, transforming them from classic forms into whimsical, imaginative creations that made for a wonderfully fantastical evening. Itās like nothing Iāve ever seen! Oh the colours, darling, and the sheer audacity, I must confess I was thrilled. I was a bit more dubious about the tutus they created for their modern dance pieces, but they were an interesting study in āwhat is and what is notā. They really got one talking!
- A wonderfully avant-garde and exciting spectacle, though a little less in line with my personal tastes, came from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theaterās latest work. I admit the costumes - which were tutus for the most part, but oh my, very reimagined and very radical - were not to everyone's liking. I'll concede that, dear reader, they were a little rough around the edges for a more āclassicalā palate. I found them extremely original. There were very pointed angles and textures, and some rather daring colours, and then again there were just bits of it that were simply quite out there. Still, I canāt fault the designer, they were daring, audacious and incredibly expressive.
This past month really demonstrated the extraordinary creativity and innovation within the dance world. And as for the tutu? The possibilities are boundless, truly infinite! Letās all raise a glass - a Bellini perhaps? - to those ingenious, and I confess, sometimes quite mad, artists and designers! The ballet, in its beautiful garments and stunning stagecraft, is always going to be a feast for the eyes!