Ballets 211

The hushed anticipation in the auditorium was palpable. Tonight, we were to experience Malcolm Arnold's Homage to the Queen, a ballet that has become something of a legend in the world of dance. It's not just the history – premiered in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II – but the way it continues to resonate with dancers and audiences alike. It’s a work of such incredible vibrancy, passion, and musicality that it demands your complete attention.

As the lights dimmed, the curtain rose, and there she was: The Queen. Not literally, of course, but as a glorious and powerful entity in the form of an exquisitely choreographed ballet. From the very first movement, the stage felt alive with the music's energy. The orchestra, led by a conductor with an intuitive grasp of Arnold's score, delivered the melodic flourishes and dramatic crescendos with breathtaking precision.

Arnold’s music is, to put it simply, electrifying. It’s like he's captured the very essence of grandeur and celebratory spirit of the occasion. There’s this incredible sweep to the music, these dramatic surges that make your heart beat faster, followed by delicate passages that melt like honey on the ears.

It’s hard to describe how Arnold uses melody and rhythm to build the ballet’s structure, and how the dancers, with their incredible skill and artistry, transform it into a living, breathing spectacle. It’s not just the steps; it’s the emotion that radiates through every extension, every leap, and every glance.

The opening scene saw the Company assemble as a unified ensemble, their movement conveying a sense of celebration and regality. Their formations were impeccably precise, but with just the right touch of warmth and a feeling of human connection to ensure they weren’t just automatons. This precision was punctuated with solo work that shone a spotlight on the individual dancers' unique talents and interpretive abilities.

The role of the Queen is, to say the least, demanding. It calls for an incredible dancer who can project authority, elegance, and vulnerability all in one breath. This night, the role was beautifully brought to life by Annabelle Cartwright, whose long, flowing lines, breathtaking leaps, and flawless technique conveyed the Queen's regal nature, her gentle power. There was this subtle flicker in her eyes, like the flicker of a flame – a silent language conveying centuries of history and strength, of commitment and duty.

Her partner, playing the Prince, was danced with unwavering skill and powerful precision by Edward Fitzroy. Edward's technique was, of course, impeccable – what’s expected at this level – but the most compelling thing was how he truly captured the Prince's persona, bringing both vulnerability and strength, romance and duty to life.

Each of the dancers played their roles to perfection – bringing out a multitude of different facets of this royal ensemble: the young nobility, with their fresh energy and hopeful future; the guards, both stern and playful; and the royal court, with their air of refined sophistication.

What really struck me about this piece is the choreography, which feels so fresh and exciting despite being created over sixty years ago. It’s so layered and intricate. There are these grand, sweeping movements, inspired by classical ballets, then suddenly the choreographer will throw in some astonishingly contemporary, sharp lines. I find that element of the unexpected utterly captivating. It’s like he's not only honouring tradition but also looking toward the future.

It’s worth noting how the choreography mirrors the music so beautifully. There are moments where the music is incredibly soft and fluid, and the dancers’ movement flows right along with it. But then, just like the music, the dance suddenly explodes with incredible dynamism, these almost defiant, passionate moments, punctuated with extraordinary leaps and spins.

To really capture the full essence of Homage to the Queen, one needs to understand the atmosphere. This wasn't simply about observing a ballet. It was about experiencing something larger than life. It felt as though the audience was transported back to 1953. It's like you’re on this grand historical stage witnessing something incredibly powerful, and you feel deeply invested. You almost forget that it's a production; it becomes so real, so profoundly human. You are witnessing a real-life story, the human stories behind all the regal glamour and pageantry.

Throughout the ballet, there was this ongoing, dynamic relationship between the dancers and the music that captivated me. Sometimes it felt as though the dancers were completely controlled by the music – and I'm not talking about the rhythm or beat here; I mean the very soul of the music, the composer’s intent, the mood. And then there are times when the dancers themselves took the lead, weaving their own stories, adding a different dimension to the choreography, sometimes making it almost feel improvised.

But it's not just the artistry of the dance and music that draws you in. It’s the emotion woven throughout the ballet. I saw it in the faces of the dancers as they glided across the stage, the tenderness, the solemnity, the sheer joy, the moments of playful mischievousness. There are subtle cues and glances, small moments that seem to speak volumes, making you forget that you are watching dancers; you are watching real human beings.

Beyond the pomp and pageantry, there is a richness and depth to Homage to the Queen that draws you in. It speaks of duty, of sacrifice, and the complexities of being bound by history, a feeling that resonated throughout the piece. The choreographed sequences portraying the royal ceremonies felt solemn yet celebratory at the same time, echoing the duality of the position the Queen finds herself in: her power is simultaneously her burden.

Beyond this, Homage to the Queen also touched on universal themes of love, of responsibility, of loyalty, and ultimately, the unwavering spirit of human beings, which is especially poignant given the historical context of its creation. It reminds you that the Queen, the woman behind the crown, has also had to make sacrifices and contend with human challenges.

In an age where there are constant attempts to reinvent and “revolutionize” the classical ballet, Arnold’s work felt incredibly modern. It’s something of a masterpiece. This ballet will undoubtedly be reimagined and restaged for decades to come. It will always resonate because, at its core, it’s about celebrating what it means to be human: the good, the bad, and the extraordinary. It's also a beautiful tribute to a monarch who represents strength, dignity, and resilience.

But what I found most beautiful about the ballet, aside from the impeccable technique and artistry, was how it managed to celebrate without resorting to excessive, grandiose theatricality. It celebrated, not by shouting, but by whispering, with elegance and grace, while carrying profound meaning and gravitas. Homage to the Queen is an elegant and poignant masterpiece – a must-see for all lovers of dance.