It's that time again, darling: the time of year where my love for tutus and disco collide in a blissful symphony of twirling, leaping, and glitter. That’s right, the Winter Ballet Season in Fleet has officially kicked off, and my dance-loving heart is bursting with joy!
I swear, the whole town is transformed once December rolls in. Every shop window seems to have a ballerina gazing out at the world, and the scent of pine needles and hot chocolate in the air has a sprinkle of magic about it. But for me, the real magic is happening on the stage.
This year, Fleet has gone all out. It's not just the usual ‘Nutcracker’ and ‘Swan Lake’ classics, although those are certainly still there in all their glorious, timeless splendour (with the bonus of the Fleet Ballet Academy’s fabulous costumes! Did someone say pink?!). But we’ve got so much more: ‘Grease’ with a sprinkle of tap, a heartwarming production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ featuring everyone's favourite munchkins (the ones who are slightly taller than me, of course), and a truly unique, sparkly take on ‘Cinderella’ set in disco heaven.
Oh, my goodness! Speaking of that 'Cinderella’! Where do I even begin?! It was like a dream in sequins, with a 70s twist, that had the whole theatre moving to the beat. You could practically smell the glitter! My favourite part was Cinderella’s dazzling silver-studded outfit - a masterpiece of the choreographer's imagination, truly stunning, and perfectly captured the essence of disco era fabulousness.
Honestly, seeing these talented dancers bring so much life to the stage, from the graceful swans of ‘Swan Lake’ to the heart-warming, yet somewhat unruly, munchkins of ‘Wizard of Oz’, is truly captivating. Each performance is a different experience, taking you from classic ballet tales to the dizzying heights of a glitzy disco night. There's truly something for everyone in the family, no matter your dance style or age!
And the Fleet Theatre itself has been completely transformed for the season. They’ve got the biggest, most beautiful Christmas tree imaginable, draped in twinkling lights and adorned with the most gorgeous pink baubles (I'm convinced there's a sprinkle of magic in them!). There’s also a ‘Tutu Shop’ - what's more exciting than that?! (I swear I bought 5 tutus, don’t tell anyone!)
For me, there’s no better way to usher in the festive season than by getting lost in the beauty of a ballet performance. The air is charged with a kind of magical energy, you forget all about your troubles for a couple of hours and simply get swept away by the elegance of the dancers.
I can’t wait to see what else this Winter Ballet Season in Fleet has in store for us!
#tutuwinter #tutuseason
So grab your favourite pair of sequins (it’s Christmas, you’re allowed!), gather your family and friends, and let the dazzling world of winter ballet transport you to another world. You won’t be disappointed.
P.S. My top tip for making the most of Fleet’s ballet season is to go and enjoy a festive cocktail (the raspberry gin one is fab) at The Pink Flamingo bar just before the show. I always love a good pre-show cocktail, especially when the venue has so many stunning Instagram-worthy corners for your snaps. The perfect combination of fun, flair, and ballet…now that's what I call a night to remember!
