Darling, I simply *must* tell you all about the fabulous whirlwind of dance I've been swept up in this month! From the glittering stages of the Bolshoi to the intimate studios of Paris, it's been a *feast* for the senses.
Let's start in **Moscow**, where the Bolshoi is celebrating its 240th anniversary with a *magnificent* season. I was lucky enough to catch the *Giselle* revival, and oh my, *darling*, the dancing was absolutely **divine**. The ethereal lightness of Svetlana Zakharova's Giselle, her exquisite control, it left me utterly breathless. And Vladislav Lantratov as Albrecht - he has that *magnifique* blend of nobility and passion, you can't help but fall for him. It was like being transported to a bygone era, the story, the costumes, everything so meticulously crafted.
Speaking of bygone eras, **Paris** took me back to the *Roaring Twenties* at the Théâtre du Châtelet, where the divine **Matthew Bourne** was reviving his legendary *The Red Shoes*. Now, I'm not a huge fan of contemporary ballet, *but darling,* this was an exception! Bourne has this magical way of marrying storytelling with cutting edge choreography. The show was bursting with vibrant colours, spectacular sets, and, of course, the divine choreography that simply had me gasping in admiration. The iconic "red shoes" scene was *truly* breathtaking. But *it wasn't just about the visual spectacle,* the performance of **Dominic North** as Julian Craster touched me deeply, his vulnerability and the torment he endured as a dancer... *it just felt real.* And, *oh, darling* those red shoes -- such glamour! I want them.
Then I flew over to **New York City** and let me tell you, darling, New York always delivers! This time, it was **American Ballet Theatre's** *Swan Lake* at the Metropolitan Opera House that had me absolutely spellbound. The classic romantic ballet was reinvented, not by *revolutionising* the steps *but by making it fresh and contemporary*. The staging was spectacular, the dancers - **Misty Copeland** in particular - they *oozed* emotion, vulnerability, and strength. She brought an incredible amount of heart and soul to the role of Odette/Odile. The *corps de ballet* were breathtaking - their precision and elegance was utterly mesmerising.
My whirlwind tour wasn't just about established companies; I also took the time to explore some **lesser-known** but utterly *fascinating* corners of the world of dance.
**Barcelona** was the destination for a remarkable performance of **Compañia Nacional de Danza**. Their contemporary piece, *In Transit* completely *floored* me, darling. It was a breathtaking exploration of movement, sound, and space, and truly showed me how dance can push boundaries. **Israel Galván** - what a talent, so incredibly expressive. I absolutely *love* seeing these experimental and modern performances that truly show what dance can be.
From the sunshine of Barcelona, I headed to the chilly shores of **London**. Here I stumbled upon a gem: **Rambert Dance Company**'s *Ghost Stories* at the Sadler's Wells. This production is not for the faint of heart, darling! The atmosphere, the choreography, it was a deeply unsettling experience. The way the dancers incorporated everyday movements into these disturbing gestures made it so hauntingly believable. *It was art as raw, unadulterated emotion,* it left me truly shaken, but utterly *fascinated*.
There's always such a unique energy about London. And my experience was only enriched by the wonderful **Royal Opera House**, where I had the pleasure of seeing the legendary **Margot Fonteyn** being immortalised. Yes, dear friends, a biographical film starring the stunningly beautiful **Keira Knightley** as the epitome of grace and elegance. It was a joy to witness her legacy unfold. And let's face it, **Margot** *was* the definition of ballet.
**Berlin** provided another highlight, *darling*. **Sasha Waltz & Guests** performed a stunningly beautiful and profoundly emotional piece *Körper*, and let's just say it really *moved* me. The concept, the exploration of the human body as an expressive form, it left me *thoughtful*, but also strangely invigorated. The work combined elements of contemporary, ballet, and theatre, and brought new depths to the *already deeply powerful subject* of the human body and the power of vulnerability. It's definitely an experience that will linger.
Finally, my journey concluded in **Paris** where I found a beautiful reminder of the heart of classical ballet. It was an enchanting evening with **The Paris Opera Ballet** performing the timeless *La Bayadère*. This production was *simply perfection* - the dancers were extraordinary, the set design lavish, and the music so sublime. *Darling,* it's moments like these that remind me why I am so completely and utterly *devoted* to the world of dance.
Of course, my month of *danse* was not just about attending these amazing performances. It also involved immersing myself in all aspects of this fabulous world - *everything from workshops to exhibitions*!
I was incredibly excited to meet with *the* legendary dancer and choreographer, **Martha Graham**, in **New York City**. I'd heard so many stories about her genius and *she did not disappoint,* *darling.* It was a private interview for the new magazine - and the conversation, *it was like diving into a history lesson of the very foundation of dance*. Such insight and wit. And the stories she told about the world of dance in the 20th century - I could have sat and listened to her for hours!
There were several stunning ballet exhibitions this month that really stood out, dear readers. **The Victoria and Albert Museum in London** presented a remarkable show showcasing the work of *renowned dance photographers*. From the early days of ballet, when they only had film to work with, to the more recent high-resolution imagery of today, it was a fascinating journey through history, a celebration of capturing moments of exquisite motion. The photographs themselves were **works of art**.
In **Paris** , **Le Centre Pompidou** had a show that simply captivated me - it celebrated the work of legendary Russian choreographer, **Serge Diaghilev**. Diaghilev was, you see, an innovator, someone who truly believed in the power of dance to transform art, and he embraced modernity. The show at Pompidou had an impressive collection of costumes, sketches, and photos, really offering a window into this fascinating time and bringing back to life his *breathtaking* ballet company.
To close this month’s diary, I want to mention a rather extraordinary find. It was tucked away in a charming Parisian bookshop, *Le Point Virtuel* - the *most fabulous* dance book, **The Art of Classical Ballet** by **Vladimir Petrov** and **Anastasia Vlasova** - an utterly *compelling* read, and so **beautiful** to look at! The illustrations - *pure* **ballet magic**! If you’re a true lover of this form of dance, *darling,* you have to add it to your collection!
So there you have it, darling. Another extraordinary month filled with incredible ballet and *dancing in every form*. It truly shows you how diverse, compelling, and beautiful this art form can be. Now go and see a show! It is **truly an experience you won't forget**!