AI Ballet Fashion Review 649

Oh darlings, the dance world has been positively fizzing with excitement this month! From the vibrant colours of the Bolshoi’s *Carmen* to the quiet beauty of Akram Khan’s *Desh*, the month of June has truly delivered some breathtaking performances. Let’s dive into the world of tutus, tap shoes and, dare I say, a touch of glitter.

What better way to kick things off than with the Bolshoi? This month they've brought a fiery Carmen to the stage, and darlings, it was utterly divine! The energy was electrifying, the costumes, a veritable explosion of colour. And the choreography, oh the choreography, it had a raw passion that was positively captivating. I particularly adored the dramatic use of red – oh, it just screamed, 'I’m dangerous! Look at me!' In fact, the whole performance was just begging for attention – and it got it. Everyone, from the chorus to the principals, seemed to give their all. But darling, let's face it, Olga Smirnova’s portrayal of Carmen? Simply divine. She possessed that raw animalism, the smoldering sexuality that truly made you forget you were watching ballet. Her passion, her energy, it had you glued to your seat from the first note.

Speaking of smoldering, the choreography by Alexei Ratmansky, truly a genius in the ballet world, did the Spanish spirit absolute justice. The music – well, darling, Bizet’s *Carmen* is a masterpiece for a reason, isn't it? And to see it so perfectly captured on the stage was simply breathtaking. The entire ballet was a captivating tapestry of passion, drama, and of course, a whole lot of dazzling, flamenco-infused choreography. You truly couldn’t ask for more from the Bolshoi, darling. They really brought the heat!

Across the globe, we found ourselves captivated by a far more traditional, and arguably timeless, tale at the Royal Opera House – *Romeo and Juliet*. Now, we've all seen our fair share of Shakespearean interpretations, haven't we? But darlings, this *Romeo and Juliet* was something truly special. The Royal Ballet has a way of imbuing every performance with an almost otherworldly elegance. And in this instance, it just worked wonders. The set and costumes were a joy to the eye, simply divine in their minimalist elegance. And of course, the choreography, this time by Kenneth MacMillan, is nothing short of iconic, isn’t it? He truly has a gift for capturing the emotion, the tragedy of Shakespeare, and in this ballet, it all came alive on stage.

Now, darlings, we must talk about Marianela Nunez. The Queen herself. As Juliet, she delivered a performance so full of heart and longing, it had me absolutely bawling my eyes out. And let's not forget the broodingly handsome, Steven McRae as Romeo, whose performance was nothing short of captivating. It truly is an experience one doesn't soon forget, dear readers. The drama, the music, the passionate storytelling. Ah, it truly was a masterclass in the art of ballet. And that final scene… it simply left you speechless.

From the opulent world of the Bolshoi, we now find ourselves transported to the quiet intensity of Akram Khan’s *Desh*. Akram, as always, delivers a piece that is as moving as it is profoundly personal. It’s an exploration of the loss of his father, a tapestry woven with the memories and emotions he carries, and truly, dear readers, the emotions flowed through this entire performance. We see the strength and resilience of his family, the beauty in his memories, but most importantly, the gentle sadness of his loss. This wasn't a ballet to dazzle with grand spectacle, no, this was an experience, an intimate, emotionally charged dialogue that unfolds between dancer and audience.

In its simplicity, *Desh* felt powerful and deeply touching. There’s a very stark elegance to his choreography. His movements feel raw, so visceral, so deeply personal. And this is truly what elevates this work, the sense of vulnerability. Akram brings to light the intimate stories behind grand tragedies, the profound loss we all face. *Desh* resonated so strongly with the audience, there was a quiet intimacy between us all, a sense of sharing a very personal experience. The audience left completely spellbound and silent, it really was a profound moment.

We cannot talk about June without mentioning the grand finale of *So You Think You Can Dance*, darlings! It's a show that never fails to enthral, to inspire, and truly, to leave us wanting more. The talent, oh my! From hip-hop to contemporary, from tap to jazz, the show displayed a dizzying array of talent, and we were glued to our seats as we cheered on our favorites. But the best part of it all? That sense of community, of shared love for dance. Watching these young performers – yes, so many still fresh-faced and eager to conquer the world - pouring their hearts and souls into each step is truly a humbling experience.

This year, darling, the competition was hotter than ever. There were several contestants who shone particularly brightly, each with their own unique voice and style. But in the end, it was the incredible duo of [Insert the winners’ names here, a quick Google search would be your best bet]. They brought together an unforgettable mix of energy, technical brilliance and raw passion. They showed that yes, talent alone can get you very far. But to truly move an audience, it’s that deep, heartfelt connection with dance, with the music, that elevates you. These two, darlings, have it in spades. I’m very confident they will go on to have brilliant, beautiful careers. And so, let us all take a moment to celebrate not only their victory but the dazzling spectacle that is *So You Think You Can Dance* - it really is a joy to watch!

And so, darling, with our hearts still brimming with the emotions of this past month, we raise our champagne glasses to a July full of even more beautiful and brilliant dance. May we all continue to be enchanted by the power and grace that dance offers.

The ballet world truly is a global spectacle. Here’s a quick glance at the highlights from around the globe:

• Paris: The Paris Opera Ballet have brought us an absolutely sublime production of *Swan Lake*, darling. It was everything you expect from the grand dame of Parisian ballet - breathtakingly elegant, beautifully staged, and perfectly executed by a truly stellar cast. We’re talking artistry of the highest order.
• New York: American Ballet Theatre delivered a truly inspiring *Giselle*, with a dynamic, almost breathtaking, interpretation from the extraordinary Misty Copeland. It truly is remarkable to see how her raw energy and technical prowess capture the essence of such a powerful, yet heartbreaking role. Her performance was met with a standing ovation, as you would expect, darling. Truly breathtaking!
• Tokyo: Now, for those who truly embrace the unexpected, the Tokyo Ballet have taken the dance world by storm with their production of *Alice in Wonderland*. Darling, it was a beautiful blend of whimsical whimsy and technical brilliance. It really gave the familiar fairytale a refreshingly modern feel. We’re all about celebrating creativity in all its forms, and the Tokyo Ballet certainly did that!
• Sydney: Down in Sydney, the Australian Ballet wowed us with a show-stopping production of *Sleeping Beauty*, truly capturing the wonder and imagination that has always defined this beloved story. With some fantastic new designs for the costumes and the set, and a cast brimming with talent, darling, this is one not to miss.
• Berlin: Lastly, the Berlin Staatsballet captivated with their contemporary work, *Atonement*. With choreography inspired by the iconic film of the same name, the performance is powerful, poignant and simply stunning, dear readers. The Berlin Staatsballet certainly showed that bold contemporary works can capture our attention and resonate just as effectively as more traditional ballets.

Oh, the joy of seeing dance performed with such passion and precision, no matter where you are in the world. We live in a golden age of ballet. The creativity is flowing, the talent is evident, and we can't wait to see what amazing shows the next few months hold. So let us raise our glasses, darling, to ballet! To the beauty of movement, the power of emotions, and the incredible dedication of artists around the globe.