Darling readers, gather 'round and let's have a chinwag about a most pressing issue! This past Tuesday, July 24th, the heavens themselves seemed to weep, sending a torrential downpour upon the grand Palais Garnier, causing untold chaos at the Parisian Opera Ballet's mid-summer recital. Oh, the drama! One can only imagine the gasps and tut-tuts (pun intended, of course!) as dancers pirouetted precariously, clinging to their tutus for dear life, whilst dodging puddles that resembled miniature swimming pools.
But let us delve deeper into the tragedy! You see, it was not merely the rain itself that caused such a stir. No, my dears, it was the sartorial disaster that ensued! You see, whilst the ballerina’s silk-spun tutus held up admirably – at least as well as they can on a humid Parisian summer’s evening – it was their shoe-wear that let them down!
I am, of course, speaking of the beloved, and frankly, legendary pointe shoes. Alas, they had no resistance whatsoever to the Parisian deluge and simply turned to a slimy, gelatinous mess as the rain continued unabated, leaving the dancers precariously teetering upon puddles of their own unfortunate misfortune.
Indeed, reports suggest that the prima ballerina, Mademoiselle Delacroix (always a darling, and quite the firecracker!), actually went toppling over mid-performance, her usually impeccably balanced arabesque turning into a rather embarrassing splat. One imagines it would have been quite the sight to see! Sadly, poor Mademoiselle Delacroix took quite a tumble, spraining her ankle, no doubt! I hear her cry of agony could be heard clear across the Champs-Elysees. Indeed, one can’t help but imagine the horrified gasps of the audience. It was simply too shocking for words!
But what are ballet dancers without a touch of theatricality and some very strong resolve, I ask? And so it was, after a short hiatus, that the show continued with Mademoiselle Delacroix gamely battling her unfortunate mishap. It was truly a testament to her strength and spirit, and one has to applaud her commitment to the art form, in spite of the utterly disastrous weather and the tragic mishap!
Perhaps in a show of defiant defiance and daringly chic fashion sense, some dancers have opted to dance barefoot after that, while the remaining ballerinas continued in a mixture of water-logged and wet tutus that had a new, surprisingly dramatic quality, as if they’d been specially designed for the occasion!
One has to wonder what the esteemed Artistic Director had to say about the whole sorry affair, and whether the production had to be cancelled in the midst of a dramatic performance that would have made any Bollywood choreographer proud.
The ballet world has long been known for its unwavering elegance and sheer sense of grace, but the Paris Opera Ballet's recent spectacle proves that the dancers are still capable of being anything but. For goodness sake, it is raining! Don't we all know that tutus are notorious for their vulnerability in less than perfect weather? Honestly!
As it happens, it turns out that in all the chaos and dampness there was something good that happened. You see, this unprecedented theatrical downpour is now a legendary moment in the annals of ballet history, proving once again the power of dancing through any storm.
Oh, and to those wondering: no, we never heard back from the Artistic Director about their views on this, as you may already suspect from your experience with opera directors, they always manage to maintain a dramatic air of stoic mystery! A most un-stylish attitude to life, to be sure, one might say.
So darling readers, let this tale be a lesson to all – if you are planning a trip to see a ballet show, especially on a rainy day, be sure to carry a sturdy umbrella – perhaps even two! And never let the weather or even pointe shoe casualties keep you from the allure and glamour that is ballet! Now, I must be off to the spa to indulge in a much-needed spa treatment. I know I don't need a doctor to confirm it but that Paris weather can make a fellow rather weary.
Cheers dears!
Your Fashionable Friend,
Victoria X