My darlings, November has been an absolute whirlwind of balletic brilliance! I simply can't resist sharing all the divine performances that have swept me off my feet.
Royal Ballet's Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Let’s face it, Swan Lake is as iconic as a pair of Manolos – everyone knows it. But darling, let me tell you, this production really had the theatre buzzing with a kind of theatrical electricity that makes the hair stand on end. The sublime Alina Cojocaru brought both the innocence and the sorrow of Odette/Odile to life with an emotional intensity that simply took my breath away. Her physicality, oh darling, was sublime; every pirouette and jeté a pure joy to behold, especially when partnered with the equally magnificent Carlos Acosta. Acosta, with his sheer virility and exquisite elegance, gave us the perfect Prince Siegfried. Their pas de deux was so breathtaking, it could have been lifted straight from a film by Degas. This is one for the diary!
New York City Ballet at the David H. Koch Theater
A true treat was the New York City Ballet's season opener. They’re still finding their footing after the departure of the legendary Peter Martins but I saw a beautiful and exciting new work by Alexei Ratmansky, Shostakovich Trilogy, that brought together a triple bill of three works set to music by Shostakovich. This truly was genius. I'm not quite sure what Ratmansky’s been up to, but darling, this was a knockout! The costumes were deliciously edgy (a modern take on the Russian classic, perhaps, but decidedly more 'goth chic') and the ballet itself a delicious tapestry of Shostakovich’s music that danced with an emotional complexity that had the whole auditorium enthralled. Bravo!
Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre
From New York to the Bolshoi - always a must! This time I was mesmerised by their dazzling revival of Don Quixote. With its Spanish flair and dazzlingly intricate choreography, it truly is a ballet that lives up to its title, a grand and flamboyant fiesta for the senses! The performance had me tapping my toes right there in the theatre (don't tell!). Elena Obraztsova, as Kitri, was pure vivacity. She danced with such abandon, such sparkle - like a Spanish firecracker. She was matched beautifully by Vladislav Lantratov, a Don Quixote full of mischievous charm and extraordinary leaps. Don’t miss this - and the costume changes are worth the price of the ticket alone!
American Ballet Theatre
Of course, I simply cannot ignore the brilliant performances at the American Ballet Theatre. It was the legendary Natalia Osipova who stole the show at this recent season's gala. This glorious creature! Her technical brilliance is as evident as her natural dramatic flair, making every step electrifying. Osipova dazzled in an exquisite new work, The Seasons by David Dawson, that set itself apart with its dreamy and innovative style, featuring a minimalist set that highlighted the extraordinary elegance of the ballet itself.
Beyond the Stage: The Dancer
I don’t always focus on movies and shows, darling, but when they capture the essence of ballet, oh I’m there with bells on. The Dancer (directed by Stephanie Di Giusto) - about the groundbreaking, unconventional Loie Fuller – has become one of the must-see films for dance lovers this season. I had to rush to see it and simply fell in love. It was a story of ambition, rebellion, and self-invention against the backdrop of the early 20th century in Paris, and a true glimpse into the world of dance beyond the tutu and pointe shoes.
International Ballet Galas
November is often the time for spectacular gala events. It's when the stars truly align! From Vienna to Tokyo, the global dance community come together in these glittering evenings, featuring the crème de la crème of international dancers. I recently attended the Vienna International Dance Gala which featured a stellar cast of artists including the legendary Natalia Makarova (what a showstopper!), the fabulous Svetlana Zakharova, and the utterly magnetic Rudolf Nureyev, who gave a thrilling performance with exquisite, nuanced artistry.
Emerging talent
Let's not forget to celebrate the future of ballet. You simply must make a point of visiting The Royal Ballet School for their yearly Christmas production. This year it’s a double bill featuring a playful work by Christopher Wheeldon and the ever-classic The Nutcracker, all performed with such energy and purity by the emerging ballet stars of the future.
A glimpse beyond ballet
Now, I have to mention the phenomenal "The Book of Mormon", a wildly popular, controversial, and utterly hilarious musical by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Yes, I know, a little different for our ballet world, but with its irreverent and surprisingly heartwarming journey into religious zealots in Uganda, it had me laughing and sobbing (and clapping) in equal measure. It’s a bold, daring and utterly subversive show. So grab some of your dance friends, get tickets and prepare for a a night of laughter you won't soon forget. You simply won't be disappointed!
My dears, I do hope you've enjoyed my whirlwind tour of the best ballet the world has to offer. Do get out there and indulge in the joy and artistry of dance, I promise, you'll be thrilled.
Don't forget:
- The Nutcracker Season is here and if you haven't got your tickets yet, my dear, it’s a scandal! You’ll see all the iconic productions from all the leading ballet companies, so be quick!
- Support emerging choreographers - the future of ballet is in their hands, and it's exciting! Many international ballet companies are dedicating evening to their innovative and often unexpected works. A great chance to discover what's new.
- Look for the unusual! If you've only ever seen a Swan Lake, dare to delve into something different - the ballet world has something for every taste!
Happy dancing!