Darling!
June is finally here and we're ready to twirl! The weather's warmed up (though the A/C in the theatre is still cranked up to arctic levels) and everyoneâs ready for a dazzling show. It's time to pack on the lipstick, fluff out that tutu, and step into the world of elegance and grace. Oh, I almost forgot to mention! I just *had* to try that divine new rouge from Dior, the colour is *divine*.
Across the Pond
Oh my goodness, darling! The sheer audacity! New Yorkâs ABT has done it again, and *how*. Their staging of Romeo and Juliet just last month blew me away, so romantic. Yes, you all know, my weakness is a classic.
Now, I'm all for a little modernization, don't get me wrong. I have to confess, though, that ABT's contemporary additions were a tad too out there, not the romantic fairy tale I'm used to. But it really was brilliant from a performance standpoint, and the emotion â a symphony of agony, passion, and death â was enough to make my heart weep with every single move. *Splendid!* Of course, my dearest pal, Julie Kent, simply radiated the love-stricken innocence of Juliet â you all know my admiration for her dancing knows no bounds. Such perfect grace. And, darling, Ethan Stiefelâs Romeo? Well, he moved like the epitome of tragic passion. Such beauty. Oh, and of course, letâs not forget the darling Isabella Boylston as Rosaline. It is said that Julietâs best friend had âan enigmatic lookâ and darling, she had me *entranced* in her every moment.
Across the Atlantic in Paris, we found the Parisian Operaâs ballerinas absolutely bursting with the spirit of youth. The production of *Giselle* had such vibrancy â such passion and such grace. Yes, this, my loves, is classic romance for all. The story of the heartbroken and tragically betrayed Giselle has stood the test of time and these dancers brought her spirit to life, with a *beautiful* rendition of the Mad Scene.
But if we're talking the classicism of Paris, my dear, *don't even try* to top what our darlings over at the Palais Garnier pulled off with *Sleeping Beauty*. The elegance of the dancing, darling! They captured the whimsical beauty of the fairytale and truly took us all back to a more glamorous time. The costumes, oh darling, the *costumes*! Such sheer artistry and panache! I'd die for the Sleeping Beautyâs dress â I must confess to having a tiny, *very* tiny crush on the Prince.
The Splendour of the Orient
And as much as I love those European darling's, the **Royal Ballet of the Orient** (darling, you've got to say it in your most exotic voice for the full effect!) stole the show in Tokyo this month. Oh, they took a daring take on La Bayadère* and brought the classic to a completely new level. The story of the beautiful and captivating Temple Dancer has been a perennial favorite, and to have it spun with such artistry⌠well, it was a pure joy for the senses. I confess to have had a near-catatonic breakdown in the third act; I just couldnât bear such emotionalism and I lost all capacity to speak! They didn't simply *interpret* this classic story, my love; they truly lived and breathed every single movement! Such heart and fire, such precision.
Oh, and to think I had dismissed the contemporary choreography. It was a stroke of absolute genius; daringly dramatic yet stunningly sophisticated. It did not diminish the romanticism of the classic in the slightest, only enhancing it. But if you need another reason, my love, Iâd suggest checking out their set. The **Royal Ballet of the Orient** had its set designs on the *other* side of the brilliant â and by âother,â Iâm talking so utterly gorgeous, that it made even the most dramatic movements seem so peaceful and still in its breathtaking beauty.
Speaking of the Orient, a couple of talented stars from The Beijing Dance Academy travelled all the way over here! I simply *had* to see them. I confess, the production of Carmen at the Royal Opera House, whilst certainly entertaining, had a lot less "fire" than the performance we got in Beijing. It did lack something in its passion. The original *Carmen* story is, after all, all about love, lust, betrayal and murder!
Oh, but back to our delightful stars from Beijing: they truly had me *captivated* from start to finish. And just try as I might to look at anything else, their dance style is just *unmistakable.* They moved so softly but with such grace â it was simply electrifying.
I must tell you darling, *this* performance gave me the courage to move forward in my own practice!
Art Beyond Ballet
The latest show at The Tate Modern - âReflections and Reflections,â with installations from modern dance greats such as Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham and Paul Taylor- had a truly revolutionary flair to it, but I couldn't help but think âwhat's the point, darling?" I confess it's nice to have some visual interpretation of their movement and choreography. but they are *dance* masterpieces, to be *seen*, not reflected in glass, or displayed under halogen lights. *And, yes, you did hear that right â * *halogen lights* â the least flattering thing they could use! I know my dear friends, it's all about making statements in the art world, but at a certain point, there is only so much we can stand!
Off to the Races!
It's just my own, and possibly quite selfish, observation that dance critics this year have taken to wearing what could only be called "tracksuit chicâ - you can't move comfortably in that style darling, and it *looks* dreadful. Oh darling, a real ballerina should be *dressed* for the part: you can be dressed *elegantly* whilst being both comfy and chic and that is the perfect *pose* to have at the *avant garde* - especially when reviewing the daring work that's on offer from artists like those of The Trisha Brown Company! I mean, yes, of course their performance in New York this month was revolutionary and it would take a very brave reviewer to even attempt to discuss the choreography with anything close to certainty! A bit of confidence *goes a long way*.
Speaking of being âon pointâ, I'm off to go rehearse, but you can bet I will be in the first row this summer to catch the *world-famous* Mikhail Baryshnikov performing a new one-act dance called "Unrequited." The reviews were positively glowing (and did you see those reviews? All in silk pajamas, darling - I nearly screamed!). I dare say I will *cry*. I heard a rumour it will have themes of passion and pain (but isnât it always?) and be performed with such breathtaking beauty, I am not quite sure my *spirit* will be able to withstand such beauty. Well, I will, Iâll just wear more of the new mascara from Estee Lauder! Yes darling! Have a fabulous summer, and letâs all dance!