AI Ballet Review 516

Oh darling, it’s a new month, and what better way to start than with a whirl through the global dance scene! I've been flitting from fabulous premiere to breath-taking revival, so settle in with a cuppa and a macaroon – I have so much to tell you!

Paris! You can't go wrong, darling. The Opéra, bathed in golden light, set the scene for a spectacular revival of La Bayadère. The first act, with its lavish temple sets and opulent costumes, is a visual feast. I nearly fainted over the colour of the ballerinas' bodices, a delectable shade of crimson! And the choreography? Utterly divine. Natalia Osipova is simply divine as Nikiya – she makes the grand jetes look so effortless! And there's such a raw, captivating vulnerability about her portrayal. But for me, the real revelation was Mathieu Ganio as Solor. He brought such strength and tenderness to the role, leaving the audience swooning after the 'Shadow Kingdom' scene – such hauntingly beautiful work. This production really captured that dark, magical and forbidden romance so beautifully, you couldn't tear your eyes away from the stage.

Speaking of royal, London darling! The Royal Ballet's production of Christopher Wheeldon’s The Winter's Tale had the entire social calendar in a tizzy. A new piece is always a buzz, and with such a captivating story, it really was a production to remember. The dancing was technically superb of course, as it always is at the Royal. What I particularly loved about Wheeldon’s work was the fluidity – so lyrical! And the music - stunning. There was one exquisite passage with a haunting string arrangement – I could almost hear the icy breath of winter in the theatre.

As for the costumes, darling, we have to talk costumes! There was this incredible moment where Perdita (Marguerite Porter was a delight, she absolutely flew across the stage), appeared in a field of flowers – the costume designer, Gary Beales, is a genius, it looked like a vision from another realm, a veritable ode to spring! This is one production that’ll linger in the memory long after the curtain has closed!

Now, let’s travel across the pond – San Francisco Ballet presented a breathtaking Giselle . This was my fourth Giselle in as many years (you know how much I adore this timeless masterpiece!), and the choreography by Alexei Ratmansky was so deeply moving. It was like watching a film! He has captured every nuance of Giselle's emotional journey - love, betrayal, and, of course, the inevitable madness. The entire company performed with exquisite grace, but I have to give a special shout out to Yuan Yuan Tan. She’s such a captivating Giselle!

And the Act II, oh, the beauty of it! When the wilis rise from their watery graves, they create an otherworldly aura, as if whispering secrets to the moonlit sky. The performance transported me completely, darling – I swear I felt the chilling presence of these heartbroken spirits swirling around me! Truly spine tingling.

The Big Apple, always a melting pot of the creative! There are always so many wonderful things happening at the New York City Ballet, but this month I was really taken with the new choreography. I just loved the new works from Justin Peck - he's really one to watch, darling! There’s a raw energy and vibrancy in his work that reminds me of Balanchine himself, although his approach to the dancers feels very modern, and utterly electrifying. He uses them as if they were living sculptures. The dancers seem to flow around the stage, sometimes effortlessly graceful, other times as if charged with power.

I also loved seeing Maria Kowroski back in the limelight - she's such a phenomenal dancer. She performed in a work called “A Quiet Evening of Dance.” Now, I know that sounds terribly mundane – I almost passed it over! But my dear, it was quite extraordinary. I had tears in my eyes by the end. A beautiful example of the emotional range that ballet can bring, darling!

Back home in Britain now, I simply had to see Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of Cinderella. The whole production felt so heartwarming - like a big hug. Such perfect casting - and, of course, a spectacular ball scene - what else can you ask for? It reminded me that ballet doesn’t have to be serious all the time, you know? Some productions, especially when it's family orientated, can be pure escapism. We all need a dose of magic now and again! The costumes were truly breathtaking, so whimsical! They created a sense of childlike wonder, even I couldn’t help but get caught up in the spectacle. And those sparkling shoes... truly bewitching!

As for the performance itself, I was really impressed by the male lead, Cesar Corrales, a Venezuelan native - so passionate, a joy to watch. His strength, but also his subtle tenderness really shone through.

While I will always have a special place in my heart for classical ballet, darling, you can’t be stuck in a time warp, now can you? The dance world is all about exploration! The modern works I saw this month really got me thinking. I was lucky enough to catch the Nederlands Dans Theater's new piece by Paul Lightfoot, entitled "Shards". It was nothing short of jaw dropping. Dark, thought-provoking, yet exceedingly graceful! A truly beautiful exploration of the human condition through the art form.

And while I was at the Dutch National Ballet, I saw a stunning work by Edward Clug called "The Rite of Spring". I love this music - it’s so raw! The performance was so raw as well – it literally had me on the edge of my seat. I thought of it like a savage, wild ballet – a beautiful dance of primal instincts, it truly stirred something in me.

Honestly, darling, I don’t know how I do it! Jet lag and all, but wouldn’t you agree that life is about living for those fleeting, but precious moments? In those final minutes, the hush falls and the applause starts to roar, you have this rush of adrenaline - this real connection between the dancers on the stage and the audience watching. That is what I love about the theatre, about dancing, that magic, that feeling. Now darling, excuse me, it’s time to change for the opening night gala, I can't be late, but I will tell you all about it in next month's issue! Until then, may your days be filled with joy and grace. Au revoir!