Darling, can you believe it's December already? The crisp air has that exciting electricity about it, like a brand-new pair of Louboutins waiting to be worn! Of course, for us girls in the dance world, December means the season is in full swing. Shows everywhere, from the venerable Royal Opera House to the tiny but utterly charming Théâtre de la Ville, it's an absolute feast for the senses!
My darling friend, Alexandra, a seasoned dancer at the Mariinsky, swore she saw a vision in Moscow last week! The *Nutcracker*! Imagine, the sheer artistry of Petipa, that breathtaking snow scene - so wonderfully evocative and theatrical, and the sheer sparkle and delight of those adorable little mice, dancing like seasoned performers! Now that’s how you bring Christmas magic to life! Alexandra insists the Moscow production has a captivating energy, fuelled by their famously flamboyant costumes - nothing too minimalist for these Russkies, darlings - and the most stunning diamond-encrusted tiara for Clara! Talk about dreams come true. She even whispered something about an elegant "handsome stranger" - oh you know how Russian dancers love their dramatic intrigue! This *Nutcracker* sounds like something I'd adore, oh to have felt the sheer joie de vivre of those costumes!
Speaking of joyful energy, last week saw an extraordinary revival of Balanchine's *Concerto Barocco* at the Royal Opera House. A whirlwind of elegance and technical brilliance! Of course, I went with my favourite couture designer, and I think his heart stopped when the ballerinas were pirouette-ing, all dressed in those beautiful flowing gowns by Christian Lacroix. Such perfect synergy. But then again, that's what the greats do. What I truly admired, darling, was that delicate ballet wasn’t just about physical strength; it expressed a kind of raw, emotional vulnerability, and such beautifully controlled movement. And that's the true magic of ballet, wouldn't you say?
Another must-see performance, I was told by one of the younger girls at the Bolshoi (the darlings can't get enough gossip!) , was the production of *Swan Lake* in Berlin. They swore to me, and we all know what these little imps can be like, that it was something extraordinary, absolutely breathtaking. The Berliner Ensemble threw a new, darkly theatrical spin on this classic. Imagine, dear, an ominous atmosphere, a haunted castle instead of a bucolic forest. The story was woven into an unsettling landscape, quite thrilling, though they say it made the romantic aspects a little more tormented, less idyllic. Still, that darkness adds to the drama, don’t you think? That kind of complexity - an alluring darkness amidst a luminous world - always excites. It's an exhilarating, captivating reimagination of the original story! The dancers themselves, they tell me, performed with an unsettling power and such passionate urgency. Just the idea of the tragic romantic themes reimagined like that sets my heart aflutter! And of course, my favourite element is how each ballet performance evokes different emotions, leaving you breathless. Oh, to feel the passion, the beauty, the raw emotion!
Speaking of passionate emotion, I simply can’t get enough of the sheer energy that's bursting out in those American productions. From New York, word has it that American Ballet Theatre's *Giselle* has captivated the audience. Oh, the sublime and romantic storytelling. It truly transported me back to a vintage fairy tale. Now, I do believe the *Giselle* we’ve been privy to is as iconic as it gets! And yet, something tells me this performance must have been exhilarating in its emotional power. It’s the magic of these classics, don’t you agree? To be enthralled by these beautifully crafted stories again and again. This American *Giselle* , I can only imagine it will be simply sublime. They tell me that the final pas de deux is a heart-wrenching scene of heartbreak and a love so raw, and intense that the audience simply gasped. Ah, isn’t it all so terribly romantic? One of the things I truly enjoy, even in these classics, is how each choreographer leaves a personal mark. A new perspective, a fresh spin, even the smallest of changes to a familiar performance. So captivating!
The darling Miss Miller, our fabulous ballet instructor, was simply *besotted* by the recent *Romeo and Juliet* in London's Covent Garden. I was only half paying attention, darling, caught up in choosing that divine Dior silk gown for the next society dinner - oh you know how it is! - but even through the rustling fabric of the skirt and the intoxicating chatter around me, I heard Miss Miller's passionate description. A stunning performance! It was about more than the graceful elegance and perfect synchronization, she was enthralled by the depth of the tragedy that poured out onto the stage - and that's what it's all about, wouldn't you say, darling? Ballet as a language of the soul? The raw, authentic expressions of human emotion - so compelling. I’ve always been partial to *Romeo and Juliet*. But they tell me the choreographer took the familiar story to another level of poignancy, an exploration of dark emotions. They say this performance is all about love and betrayal played out in a ballet language. How enthralling to have our souls exposed by these extraordinary dancers! Of course, darling, all that heartfelt dancing takes you back to a time when a simple, elegant gown would bring out the passion of a ballerina's dance.
Oh, there are so many more exciting shows happening around the globe this month! Don’t even get me started on *Don Quixote*, *La Bayadère* or *The Sleeping Beauty*. But that would make for another fabulous article entirely, wouldn’t it? After all, the world of dance never sleeps, and I am always captivated by the sheer beauty of its art, its movement, and its stories. Until next time, darling. Have the happiest of holiday seasons!
Top Tips For December in DanceFor this festive season, make time for the captivating classics:
Of course, no season would be complete without experiencing *Romeo and Juliet*. In London's Covent Garden, the production promises to transport you through a kaleidoscope of emotions.
And remember, darling...As always, darlings, it is our duty as dancers and ballet enthusiasts to revel in these timeless tales and the glorious costumes that transform our dance. May this December find you surrounded by art, love, and the captivating enchantment of ballet!