Ballet: The Month in Review - August 2002
Dearest readers, as the August sun blazes down and the air hums with the promise of summer holidays, we ballet aficionados find ourselves drawn back to the cool embrace of the theatre. This month has seen a whirlwind of exciting productions, both new and familiar, that have left us gasping for air, dabbing our brows with silk handkerchiefs and, of course, enthralled.
Royal Ballet: A Swan Lake for the New Millenium?
Oh darling, where to begin? The Royal Balletâs revival of Swan Lake is causing quite a stir. As the most familiar of ballets, it was perhaps a bold choice for the company to revisit, but darling, I am happy to report, this production truly dazzles! The sheer scale of the production, with its shimmering costumes and sumptuous sets, leaves one feeling truly transported to a world of romance and fantasy. However, what truly sets this production apart is the stellar cast. I dare not single out one ballerina - they are all divine, gliding with grace and breathtaking precision, as the graceful swans or the delicate, tragic Odette. We have to marvel at the strength and technique of the male dancers, who effortlessly navigate those famous leaps and pirouettes, their eyes burning with fiery intensity. Some are saying that this Swan Lake marks a new era for the Royal Ballet, a more refined and sophisticated style. Oh, how we long to see more of the same!
Paris Opera Ballet: New Works Take the Stage
Over in Paris, the Opera Ballet is never one to shy away from a challenge. They are presenting a delightful, and daringly modern production by rising star choreographer, Antoine Dumesnil. The ballet, titled Labyrinth of Shadows, is inspired by the paintings of Rene Magritte and, dare I say, feels strangely familiar - like the ballet equivalent of those surrealist paintings that make you tilt your head, questioning what youâre seeing. The ballet takes us on a journey through dream-like sequences with fantastical set designs and unusual, yet mesmerising costumes, all under the mesmerizing, sometimes quite harsh, light of the Paris Opera House. For my part, darling, I loved the playful juxtaposition of the classic ballet techniques with Dumesnilâs innovative, often unexpected moves. This is a production that will linger in your memory, I simply can't wait to discuss it with the darling fashionista at the next gala.
American Ballet Theatre: Whimsy in New York
Across the pond, the American Ballet Theatre presented a new production of Tchaikovskyâs enchanting ballet The Nutcracker. My darling readers, let me tell you, this is truly a confection for the senses. It features charming, slightly whimsical, costumes by the renowned designer, Christopher Radziwill, who was a guest at my friend's cocktail party recently! With a dash of whimsy and a generous sprinkle of Christmas magic, it tells the delightful tale of young Claraâs journey to the magical Land of Sweets. A treat for children, of course, but one that also captures the imagination of even the most jaded theatregoer, making this ballet a truly timeless classic. I hear that it was met with standing ovations, and honestly darling, it is no wonder.
A Global Ballet Tour
Now, you'd be forgiven for thinking that a ballet devotee could get her fix simply by sticking to Europe and America, but darling, one must be intrepid and adventurous! Let me paint a picture for you... A sultry evening, balmy breeze, and you find yourself amidst a dazzling, slightly haphazard, open-air stage in the heart of Tokyo! Here you are watching the legendary, and magnificent, Nozomi Tanaka, a Japanese ballet legend known for her exquisite, and utterly captivating, expression, lead a new contemporary ballet by the local choreographer Ryoichi Nagayama, a rising talent with a unique, almost mystical, approach to dance. You'll need a bit of Japanese for the program notes, darling, but believe me when I say a little translation goes a long way in terms of appreciating the incredible performance, one you will never, ever forget!
Dance in the Digital Age
Speaking of Japanese dance, and a long way away indeed! For the less adventurous soul, you can travel to a dance festival, wherever you may be, with the click of a mouse! Darling, how delightful, this month saw the first annual âDance Across Bordersâ festival, where you can view dance performances from all over the world in the comfort of your home. Of course, Iâve spent many a weekend browsing through these performances, selecting some from, of course, my favorite choreographers! Darling, for the first time in history you can access ballets from South America to China, right on your screen, at the click of a mouse. There was, however, a bit of a snag in the performance schedule! Oh, what a disaster darling, the system crashed and several performances were postponed - but whatâs a little technical malfunction to an internet-savvy dance devotee like yourself? Oh, the joys of the digital age, where we have every dance performance in our virtual pocket!
New Choreographers: Breaking New Ground
While balletâs classic, established pieces like Swan Lake are certainly having a moment in the spotlight, it seems that ballet, even today, is a world of innovation! New choreographers, each with their own particular, often delightful, and often quite scandalous, vision for the art form. Just take Sarah Roberts, whoâs recently been making quite a splash on the British dance scene, with her work that explores, well, dare I say it, some rather challenging themes like the human condition, or social alienation. One of her ballets, Beneath the Pavement, is all the rage. Iâm afraid you wonât be catching it in the opulent ballet houses you know and love! Sarah has set this new work, with its sharp, energetic and perhaps quite bold, choreography, in a former nightclub in the heart of London, a truly unconventional, and edgy, setting for a production about modern-day life in our society, with all its imperfections! A far cry from the pristine beauty of Swan Lake! You've got to admire the new breed of dancers, who tackle the complex ideas with both conviction and stunning grace, and take risks for art's sake, or simply, for the sheer pleasure of movement!
Beyond the Stage: Dance Education
Now, darling, if you really want to experience the world of ballet, do you want to join the ballet dancers behind the stage and find out how it all comes together, then consider attending a workshop! Many dance schools are hosting workshops for students of all ages and abilities! Youâll be able to experience ballet at its core, learn a new step or two and maybe even hone your own dancing skills - who knows, maybe you might be the next star of the ballet world! And, for those who fancy something more practical, why not attend a class at the renowned dance schools across the globe? Imagine yourself in one of those heavenly white dance studios that the ballerinas grace! From Moscow to Paris to New York, ballet schools are bursting with the energy of future dance superstars, and you can, too, be a part of it!
The Importance of Ballet
As August draws to a close, dear readers, we bid adieu to a dazzling month in the ballet world, filled with stunning productions, emerging stars, and groundbreaking creativity! Ballet is a testament to human expression and artistry, a symphony of movement and emotion, one that is surely the envy of all art forms! A form of artistry that speaks volumes without a word and leaves one feeling enchanted, uplifted, and simply divine.
As the world rushes around us, and change is always on our minds, ballet offers us a sense of the familiar, of timeless elegance and unyielding perfection. Perhaps, as we grapple with a fast-changing world, we turn to art for a breath of inspiration, a dose of tranquility, or even, darling, just a bit of escapism from the real world. However, no matter what our reasons for loving the dance, one thing remains clear: Ballet continues to capture the heart and the imagination as a truly captivating and vital art form!