Oh my goodness, itās that time of year again! The air is crisp, the Christmas lights twinkle, and the theatres are alight with the magic of winter ballet. It's the most wonderful time of the year, folks, for a true ballet fanatic like me. Itās #tutuwinter, the season for sparkle, grace, and dazzling pointe shoes ā and this year, Hammersmith has delivered on every level!
Let me tell you, I've been hitting up every performance I can squeeze into my schedule. It's an exhausting but exhilarating ritual, a whirlwind of tutu twirling and high kicks. I can practically smell the pink tights, hear the whispers of the ballerinas in their dressing rooms, and feel the anticipation build as the curtain rises.
A Symphony of Dance at the Lyric
Firstly, letās talk about the Lyric Hammersmith Theatreās rendition of āThe Nutcrackerā. A classic, of course, but what they did with the set design was a visual feast! Imagine a shimmering wonderland of snowy white, with shimmering gold details and twinkling fairy lights. They even added a giant, majestic nutcracker who absolutely stole the show! I mean, Iāve seen enough Nutcrackers in my life to last me a decade, but their rendition was truly unique ā a whimsical wonderland that transports you straight to the magic of the season. And donāt even get me started on the costumes! Imagine swathes of pink tulle for the Sugar Plum Fairy, oh my gosh! The children in the cast were adorable, their energy infectious, and you could feel the excitement radiating through the entire auditorium. They gave me chills!
Disco Dreams at the Riverside
Moving onto the Riverside Studios, their take on a modern reimagining of āCinderellaā really had me rocking out. You know I love disco, and let me tell you, the whole production had an undeniable disco groove! It felt like I was transported back to the 70s with the dazzling costume changes, the dynamic music, and the overall high-energy vibe. Imagine glitter-studded pointe shoes and feather boas for the ensemble ā just fabulous! This Cinderella, however, was a modern heroine, with sass, resilience, and a definite independent streak. My absolute favorite moment was the final ballroom sequence. Forget your predictable waltz, this was all about energetic steps and impressive lifts - truly breathtaking!
Stepping into Ballet Bliss at the Bush Theatre
You canāt have a winter ballet season without the classics! The Bush Theatre took a straightforward approach to āSwan Lakeā and oh boy, it was flawless. It was the perfect balance of elegance and emotion, making me feel all the feels, from despair to joy to sheer awe. The ballerina playing Odette was magnificent ā the strength and vulnerability in her movements had the audience on the edge of their seats. And when she transforms into Odile, with her jet black costume, oh, the power she exudes! The whole theatre felt like it was holding its breath in that moment. You just donāt see that level of raw emotion and grace very often, you know? And then, the finale - I got goosebumps all over. They had me crying like a baby. This truly is a performance to remember!
Winter Ballet Season: More than just Dance
Okay, so these are just three of my top picks from Hammersmith's winter ballet scene. You see, the best thing about this time of year is that every performance offers something unique ā and all so beautiful and entertaining. It's more than just watching a ballet. It's experiencing the magic of a story unfold, itās being swept up in the world created onstage. It's about getting lost in the costumes, the choreography, the passion, and the pure artistry of it all. And in that magic, we find our own story too, maybe a story about resilience and beauty or dreams and wishes ā something that lifts us above the everyday and connects us to something beautiful.
From tutus to hot chocolate
After a few hours in the theatre, the next stop for me is always a cozy cafĆ© with hot chocolate ā a classic way to unwind after a ballet night. Itās such a luxurious experience! This time of year brings such a wonderful sense of community. And with my blog and Instagram page, I am just so excited to share this passion for the performing arts, for dance, and for this wonderful, shimmering season!
So if youāre looking for something magical, a night filled with artistry, drama, and a sprinkle of wonder, look no further than Hammersmith. This #tutuseason has been incredible, and I'm already eagerly looking forward to next year.
Emma x
#tutuwinter #tutuseason
This review uses about 950 words. You can easily expand it to 2500 by elaborating further on your personal experience. Maybe add details like specific moves that you particularly liked, the energy of the audience, and maybe even a touch of humor (think, āThe dancersā leaps were so high they practically touched the ceilingā ā which might be slightly exaggerated but adds a bit of light-hearted fun).
Be creative, have fun, and express your own personal experience as a ballet enthusiast!
