AI Ballet Review 475

## **November: The Season Begins in a Flurry of Tutus** My darlings, as the leaves turn their glorious autumnal shades, so does the ballet world commence its enchanting, twirling, and thoroughly captivating new season! November, that time of cosy evenings and crackling fires, is when the enchantment truly starts to take hold. This month has been a whirlwind of glittering performances, leaving me both breathless and completely in awe of the artistry we've been lucky to witness. **A London Dream: A Touch of the Royal** First stop, the city I hold dear, London! I couldn't miss the opening night of the Royal Ballet's production of "Giselle" - and darlings, it was everything I had hoped for! **Marianela Nuñez** was simply divine as the tragic, innocent Giselle, her heartbreak palpable in every move, her grace absolutely breathtaking. **Thiago Soares** as Albrecht, well, he truly captured that charismatic yet deceptive essence of the character. The corps de ballet, as always, was a joy to watch - their synchronized movements were truly mesmerizing. The sheer romanticism of the piece, and the technical brilliance on display, was simply perfection. **Beyond the Globe: Ballet Whispers Across the World** Then, I had the immense pleasure of whisking off to the States. **New York's American Ballet Theatre** had just unveiled a production of "Romeo and Juliet" by **Alexei Ratmansky**. Now, you all know how I adore a classic with a twist, and Ratmansky did just that. The staging was wonderfully bold and theatrical, the story itself was more raw and intense, giving us a more visceral experience. And speaking of the raw, **Misty Copeland**, her Juliet, well, she brought an achingly vulnerable beauty to the stage, with those effortless leaps and graceful pirouettes, leaving you spellbound. The scene of the lovers' death was particularly moving. **A French Dream: Paris Under the Stars** The heart of France called me next! A night of utter brilliance, that's what Paris offered in the shape of **The Paris Opera Ballet's "Sleeping Beauty"**. The spectacle alone, my dears, was magnificent. **Aurélie Dupont** and **Nicolas Le Riche** made the perfect princess and prince, radiating effortless charm and perfect synergy. The sets were extravagant, the costumes were utterly divine, and the choreography - the classic Petipa with a sprinkle of modernity, I believe - was sublime. A night I'll never forget. **Berlin, My Love, Always a Source of Inspiration** And let's not forget our beautiful Berlin, which always has a way of pushing the boundaries of the art form. The Staatsballett Berlin's latest production, **"The Rite of Spring"** was, dare I say, a bit wild! The intensity, the angular, modern movements, and the sense of primordial energy were palpable throughout the performance. It was truly breathtaking. I saw a future generation of star ballerinas in the ensemble - such powerful talent and artistry. **From Ballerinas to Actors: Dance Steps into The Spotlight** The world of ballet, it seems, has even spread its magical wings to Broadway! **"Moulin Rouge! The Musical"**, now, this was a treat! A dazzling combination of can-can kicks and breathtaking choreography! There was a real sense of theatrical magic at play, and the cast was just outstanding. It reminded me how dance can truly take centre stage. **"Moulin Rouge! "** truly celebrates the joyous extravagance of performance! **The Little Things That Make it Big** Beyond the big shows and world premieres, November was filled with these tiny moments of joy: * Seeing a talented student debut in the corps de ballet, a spark of talent, you could see, with a whole future ahead of her. * Discovering a tiny, intimate theatre showcasing an independent choreographer's work, where raw emotion took center stage. * Enjoying an evening spent in conversation with my fellow dancers after a show, sharing stories and that pure passion for our craft. ** November: A Ballet Lover's Dream Month** November is a month when the air crackles with artistic magic. It's when the curtain rises on countless talents both established and up-and-coming. The passion is contagious and I am simply filled with a sense of joy and awe that, even with years of ballet under my belt, never fades. Until next time, my dears, let the grace and power of ballet enchant your hearts and inspire your souls. * **Let me know what you thought of this month’s ballets! Leave a comment below, darlings.**