September's En Pointe
Darling, I can’t tell you how delighted I am to be back in London after my summer flitting between Paris, Milan, and, dare I say it, a very glamorous week at the Salzburg Festival. Oh, my darling, what a scene! And the gowns! All white and impossibly chic. You would simply adore it! Of course, I made a point of taking in every single ballet performance (one must, mustn’t one?) and what a treat it was.
The Bolshoi arrived in the capital at the beginning of September. It’s not often we get them here, and I must say the buzz in the auditorium of the Royal Opera House was simply electric. Naturally, I was desperate to see the Swan Lake – a masterpiece, dear, always! There was, of course, the usual exquisite artistry, the breathtaking athleticism of the dancers, and the exquisite Tchaikovsky score which always brings tears to my eyes.
But dear, what truly stood out for me this season were the smaller performances - the gems, shall we say, in the midst of the glittering diamond of the big ballets. The Rambert, for example, were truly sensational. They showcased their ‘The Wild Swan’ piece in an off-West End venue and the entire performance, from the choreography to the use of lighting and costumes, felt completely fresh and captivating. Of course, everyone adores a good 'Swan Lake', but what Rambert do so incredibly well is take traditional ballet elements and twist them just so, to offer the audience something unexpected and altogether stunning. It’s truly exquisite.
And what was my other ballet crush, you ask? My darling, the Northern Ballet has always been a personal favourite of mine, and their production of 'The Little Mermaid' in Manchester simply had me sighing. It was beautiful, sweet, and even offered a little hint of drama that left the audience truly gripped. There’s something particularly captivating about their staging, dear. It’s never overblown or theatrical, instead feeling almost intimate and poetic. And the costumes were absolutely exquisite – I do so adore mermaid tails! The fact they have chosen such an enchanting and slightly different piece is simply delicious.
A little more in line with my usual tastes for a classic dance experience, The Royal Ballet’s revival of ‘La Sylphide’ at the Royal Opera House was something I will remember for many years to come. The piece is so romantic, the choreography simply exquisite, and it had my tears flowing by the end of the second act. It is something very special to be surrounded by so much passion and artistry, and of course, the talent at the Royal is always something to behold. The entire evening was quite sublime and brought me back to those moments when my passion for dance was still growing.
And in other, less traditional venues, we've seen more experimentation and creativity within the art of ballet. Of course, a little change here and there is certainly not unwelcome and something I welcome and celebrate. But, while a certain amount of contemporary can certainly spice up a performance, I don't believe we should shy away from celebrating the exquisite legacy of the great classic ballet. As one of London's most respected dancers and aficionados, I make it my business to keep on top of new trends and keep my finger on the pulse of ballet's artistic direction, but dare I say it - the traditional classic ballets are timeless and remain the soul of dance. They are also truly captivating! And nothing can compete with seeing the incredible talents of those exquisite young dancers soaring across the stage in a true and powerful celebration of what the ballet is truly all about! We can be modern and artistic, sure, but for me, nothing beats a flawless execution of a perfectly formed plié! The dance floor truly has its soul in classical tradition and these traditional ballets are what elevate ballet from being a mere form of art and turn it into an enduring expression of grace and movement.
I know a lot of you have very modern tastes darling, and while we have many opportunities in London to explore contemporary dance, I can’t recommend a visit to the Royal Ballet enough for a true appreciation of a traditional performance. Their upcoming ‘Giselle’ should also prove most alluring for you as a wonderful demonstration of classical excellence. The sheer power, control and graceful poise of those dancers is truly remarkable! But what a treat to be immersed in a performance where every gesture is part of a greater story - it’s truly breathtaking! The stage becomes your portal into another world and a time when you truly can lose yourself. Oh my! A magical performance for a magical evening!
As always, the city's smaller companies offer so many opportunities to be captivated and amazed, whether by contemporary forms or explorations of our greatest traditional performances. If you love the classics but need a new take on your traditional dance experience, a production by Rambert Dance, Northern Ballet, Scottish Ballet, or perhaps The Place is sure to provide the fix you’ve been seeking!
Now let’s look at the world of dance in other areas, and I will let you into a secret – Paris and Milan are, quite frankly, the crème de la crème when it comes to contemporary dance, especially if you’re on the hunt for cutting edge avant-garde performances. Both cities have really pushed the boundaries of ballet to create innovative shows, even including the integration of music genres other than the more traditional orchestral or chamber forms!
I truly encourage you to seek out these performance forms wherever you travel, dear! Even a small town can hold surprising and exquisite displays of dance. Whether a simple troupe in a small hall or a grand, extravagant performance on the most stunning stage, it’s worth noting that every country seems to offer its own unique, fascinating interpretation of what a classical performance or a new expression in dance can be! I recommend making it a real priority while on holiday. It is, after all, one of life's true delights to be witness to the powerful art of movement, beauty and expression! The beauty, precision and technical expertise, not to mention the sheer artistry, that lies at the heart of every dance piece – truly magical! And it's why, for a month like September, the dance world is just absolutely alive. A magical month! We're lucky to live in an age where we can discover incredible artistic talents no matter where we happen to be. So go out, and experience what this wondrous world of dance can offer you. You simply won't be disappointed!
The Big Names To Watch- As you’ll likely have gathered, darling, I am, quite frankly, a traditionalist at heart. But this is certainly no barrier to appreciating the talent of new dancers emerging onto the stage of the international dance scene.
- For those seeking something new and fresh in their traditional dance experience, I highly recommend keeping an eye on the current young generation of classical performers! This is simply an exciting time for ballet in all its many expressions.
- This September sees several stunning new dancers performing with the Royal Ballet, a very welcome treat for lovers of the ballet world!
The Stars of Ballet: The Names That Stand the Test of Time.
- I am sure you are already familiar with names like Sylvie Guillem and Mikhail Baryshnikov - two names synonymous with brilliance in the dance world. I feel, with the respect these stars deserve, that their careers are sadly nearing their close, but, luckily for the world of dance, they remain an inspirational force.
- And so, to fill those coveted roles, some exciting new talent has already emerged and has made a grand mark on the world of ballet, both on the stage and in films, including an exceptional ballet performance that captured the nation’s attention in the award winning film, "The Red Shoes".
- But, even in the midst of such incredible brilliance, who truly stands above the rest and embodies the future of classical dance, for me, it has to be Carlos Acosta! I find him magnetic, strong and, as a male dancer, absolutely captivating in every role. For my money, he simply exudes the most divine expression of power, grace and control. There is nothing he cannot do and no character he cannot convincingly play. If you're at the Royal Opera House this September for the premiere of ‘Giselle’ (as I truly hope you are darling), make sure to look out for his magnificent performance.
- Now darling, let's discuss the current dance scene. For some, you can only have classic ballet and anything less is simply 'not ballet'. The debate will continue! I don't necessarily believe it's the best form of conversation or expression, however, as we should embrace and celebrate the art in all its diverse forms. There’s something exquisite about the tradition of ballet - a kind of timeless magic that captures an expression of artistry and pure grace – but what’s truly fascinating to me are those moments when you see dance pushed further to reflect the complexities of a changing world, especially in these times. For many years, there has been a great movement toward a far more inclusive expression of dance and movement.
- It has taken so long, and sadly there's still some way to go. We do, however, have so many more opportunities today to enjoy and celebrate a diversity of dancers - male, female and non-binary, all dancing with skill, talent and extraordinary flair. I truly believe that what makes for a spectacular ballet, whether in its traditional form or something more daring, is, of course, the pure artistry and talent of the performer! And darling, for me, it doesn’t really matter what gender or age or ethnic background a performer has, a truly moving dance piece is simply one that takes your breath away! It transcends every physical distinction, age or boundary! When talent meets artistry and passion – magic happens.
It is truly a blessing that our culture has reached a point where we have more dance companies and performance venues to choose from than ever before. Dance forms and dance movements, as we have mentioned, are ever evolving. And, my dears, let’s be perfectly honest. A good dance floor needs a fantastic crowd!
- And while, my dears, you won't find me at an after party - the demands of this life are rigorous, to say the least! - the buzz of theatre, and its audiences, always feels to me like another kind of dance party.
- The magic is in that feeling of collective joy – it’s pure energy, dear! I am convinced it's part of the attraction that the theatre world has had for me all these years! To know we’re sharing the magic of performance with a like-minded group is exhilarating and gives me so much energy! Of course, one also has to give a shout out to those who work so hard behind the scenes. To the set designers, choreographers, musicians, and, my absolute favourite, the costumers – without all of you, the magic simply could not exist! So make a point of joining me at the theater for this very special performance! As an expert on all things dance, I promise you will be completely delighted!