Ballets 149

The first time I saw Façade, it was a small, intimate performance in a converted warehouse space. The stage was bare, except for a single, towering prop that seemed to shift and change with the music. And then, there they were - the dancers, bathed in the golden light of the stage. The energy of their movement was electrifying, their bodies weaving tales of wit and whimsy, passion and sorrow. Façade, that delightful and chaotic piece, immediately felt like a masterpiece.

To truly understand Façade, one must delve into its history. It was created in 1931, a time of great social upheaval, economic turmoil and artistic experimentation. This is evident in Walton's score, a whirlwind of contrasts and colours. Façade isn’t just ballet - it’s a tapestry woven from poetry and song. Composed with the lyrics of Edith Sitwell, each movement flows with captivating storytelling. They offer up surreal tales of everyday people: the "lady who loved the "man of "wealth" - an amusing commentary on the societal obsession with wealth, a "street scene," filled with the colourful, frenetic energy of a bustling marketplace, and "façades," themselves, with masks revealing people as more than they seem to be on the surface.

One can’t ignore the striking and dynamic contrasts in the score. It takes on so many styles and moods. There’s waltzes and foxtrots, as if reflecting the changing dance styles of the time. It even gives us a glimpse of musical jazz. But what strikes me the most is the musical wit - a “Cuckoo,” with a comedic, almost frantic feel to its choreography, and the "Mother's Nursery," with a sense of playful innocence that feels incredibly sweet.

Façade demands precision from the dancers. It's an intimate piece, often performed with small groups, so every movement, every gesture is amplified. It's like a whirlwind of controlled chaos - and each dancer needs to fully embrace the music. Walton's score is demanding. You don't simply move to it; you become an instrument, echoing its every beat, its every shift in tone.

The answer is simple: the fusion of artistic elements. Façade transcends traditional ballet and embraces elements of theatre, musical theatre and even poetry. Façade, for me, isn’t merely about movement; it’s about expression. It’s about drawing the audience into a story. It’s about captivating with emotion, humor, and storytelling.

Each dancer is entrusted with expressing the essence of Sitwell’s poetry and Walton’s composition. As I watch these masterful performances, I see stories unfolding. They portray human emotion with breathtaking clarity. From playful flirtation to intense melancholy, the nuances in every dancer’s body language create a magical symphony of movement and story. And their virtuosity - breathtaking, at times dazzling! It’s more than skill, it’s the pure embodiment of every rhythm, every lyrical, passionate surge.

• Margot Fonteyn – This iconic ballerina brought grace, sophistication, and an almost heartbreaking vulnerability to Façade. You could sense she fully inhabited the music and lived each moment of the choreography. It was breathtaking and poignant.
• Mikhail Baryshnikov – His performances in Façade are as iconic as they are powerful. His command of the stage and incredible athleticism truly shine. There's this almost effortless way he navigates between the comedic and the passionate. And, with him, the story he tells with every move simply resonates.
• Tamara Rojo – With an ethereal and passionate expression, she brings Façade to life. Her every move is as precise as it is fluid - she captures the music, she embodies the poetry.
• Sylvie Guillem – This French dancer truly elevates the art of Façade to something incredibly bold, yet delicate. With a fearless, free, and untethered movement, her grace is breathtaking - making the music, the stories, all seem weightless, vibrant, and ethereal.

Façade is so much more than a ballet - it's a timeless artistic treasure, it is art that continues to enthrall audiences. If you haven’t experienced this ballet, I urge you to see it - you’ll discover how moving, how entertaining, and ultimately, how profound this enchanting creation truly is.

While its premiere took place in 1931, Façade has resonated throughout the decades. Its influence can be felt in a plethora of ways.

Influencing Other Artistic Fields: Façade's cross-disciplinary nature and bold innovation in fusing poetry, music and movement have influenced many subsequent creations. From the use of spoken-word elements in modern dance pieces, to choreographers drawing inspiration from poems and literary works, Façade’s impact has been profound.

The Legacy: Its innovative spirit of musical exploration, a bold combination of diverse styles and elements, all these aspects still impact us today. Its use of spoken word in performance set the precedent for choreographers and theatre directors who then used this creative element in future works. The inclusion of playful storytelling, the unexpected moments of poignant expression, Façade's embrace of this all contributes to the work’s enduring appeal.

For me, Façade is a mirror to life - an artistic reflection of our complexity. As I immerse myself in the movement, the story that unfolds is more than simply “a show.” It touches upon truths of the human condition, of laughter, and the weight of the world, of masks and realities.

As an author, I’ve found this ballet has shaped my own craft, offering an incredible language of body language, storytelling. My characters often emerge, full-blown, in my mind as if from the world of Façade - dancing, speaking in silent rhythms, carrying the full depth of emotion of the music of William Walton.

There is a profound richness, a power to Façade. As I write these words, my heart beats with the music of Façade. This captivating work is a masterpiece in the truest sense. A masterwork. And its influence continues to shine a light into every generation that encounters its beauty.