September, darling!
As the days shorten and the leaves begin to shimmer with gold, a certain frisson runs through the air. We're back in the heart of the dance season, and oh my, are we spoilt for choice. From the hallowed halls of Covent Garden to the intimate, avant-garde spaces of the fringe scene, there's a ballet for every mood and every desire. Let's get straight into it, shall we?
Royal Ballet: A Night of Giselle & Mayerling
Now, darling, who doesn't love a bit of the classics, especially when performed by the impeccable dancers of the Royal Ballet? We were treated to an enthralling double bill featuring the ethereal Giselle and the utterly devastating Mayerling. Let's start with Giselle, shall we? A ballet about tragic love and the ethereal world of the wilis, it's a show that's guaranteed to get those tears flowing. This night, it was all about the exquisite Natalia Osipova, simply divine as Giselle. Her ethereal grace and heartbreakingly vulnerable performance captivated the audience, her every movement infused with such a profound emotion that you felt a physical pang in your own heart.
Next, we had Mayerling. This darkly dramatic ballet, set against the backdrop of the Austro-Hungarian empire, tells the tragic story of Crown Prince Rudolph and his doomed love affair. The choreography, a masterful tapestry of passion and despair, brought the drama of the story vividly to life. But for me, it was Edward Watson's performance as Rudolph that truly stood out. He gave an intensely personal portrayal, conveying both the prince's vulnerability and his overwhelming sense of desperation. I felt for him so deeply, his agony practically radiating off the stage. The ensemble dancing was also particularly powerful, especially during the final scenes, the frantic, frenzied movement of the dancers as they grappled with the weight of the tragedy that has unfolded.
American Ballet Theatre: An Evening with Mikhail Baryshnikov
Ah, the Baryshnikov. A legend in his time. And oh my, does this man still move with such power and precision, even after all these years. It was truly a privilege to witness him onstage at the Metropolitan Opera House. He's got that rare magic that truly draws your eye, that captivating presence that transcends any mere technique. He had the audience mesmerized, each step, each turn, executed with breathtaking perfection.
I confess to having a slight tear in my eye during his performance of In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, a beautiful and intensely moving piece choreographed by William Forsythe. He embodied the complexity of this piece with the most exquisite precision, making you feel every shade of emotion in this mesmerizing work.
Paris Opera Ballet: Swan Lake
Okay, darlings, the City of Lights knows how to throw a spectacular. We went to see Swan Lake, a masterpiece by the one and only Marius Petipa. The production was as lavish as it gets, complete with extravagant costumes, sparkling sets, and a sweeping score by Tchaikovsky that took you on an emotional rollercoaster.
But let's be honest, it's really all about the dancers. And this time, it was Marie Agnes Gillot who truly stole the show. She embodies both the innocent purity of the White Swan and the seductive allure of the Black Swan. Each step, each turn, she transformed from a delicate white swan into the seductive black one with the power of an illusionist, leaving the audience mesmerized by her artistry.
More Than Ballet: Where Tradition Meets Modernity
If you're looking for something a little less traditional, darlings, then perhaps some of these smaller but no less impressive shows will tickle your fancy.
"Ballerina" - The Musical
If youāre looking for a different sort of ballerina experience, then the new musical āBallerinaā has got you covered. Set against the backdrop of a prestigious ballet school in London, it explores the lives and loves of young ballerinas, grappling with the relentless pressure of the art form, the relentless pursuit of perfection, and the search for individual expression in a very rigid environment.
Yes, it has a classic Cinderella story in there, the rivalry, the bullying, but beyond all that, what it gets truly right is the essence of a dancerās life. You see these young women pouring every ounce of their being into this dream, and the relentless journey it entails, the sacrifices, the pain, and ultimately the beautiful payoff. If youāre looking for a musical that will not only entertain but also inspire, "Ballerina" is well worth a visit.
"The Body in Motion" - Choreographer, Sarah Taylor
This one was truly out of the ordinary, and letās face it, I love an avant-garde production that challenges the status quo. For this one, I went to the less than glitzy-but utterly charming - venue of the Hampstead Dance Festival. But oh, it was the kind of show that takes your breath away and leaves you questioning everything. Choreographer Sarah Taylor isnāt afraid to push boundaries. Her work is as visceral as it is beautiful. Think dark, raw, and incredibly powerful.
Taylor draws inspiration from themes of the bodyās strength and vulnerability, exploring those boundaries between the raw beauty and pain of the human body, using movement as a form of expression and liberation. If you're tired of the predictable and looking for something a little edgy and powerful, "The Body in Motion" is just what you need.
A Word About Dance
You know, darlings, thereās so much to see in the world of dance. Itās a form of expression so incredibly nuanced, so rich and raw. There are many other shows that I could talk about, from the intricate footwork and lyrical grace of flamenco dancing in Spain to the heart-wrenching stories told through the traditional ballets of Asia, but Iām saving them for next month's column. What really gets me going, though, are those little, lesser-known productions, those smaller troupes that take their inspiration from every corner of the world and dare to create new forms, new narratives.
Thatās the beauty of dance, it has no language barriers. It is pure emotion in motion, something that unites us all, no matter where we are from. And, as we all know, ballet is simply an exquisite language all on its own, isnāt it?
So until next month, lovelies. Happy dancing, darlings. And may your leaps be high, your turns perfect, and your heart light!