AI Ballet Review 564

Darlings, what a whirlwind of a month March has been! The sheer number of exquisite performances and jaw-dropping shows left my schedule utterly crammed but oh so beautifully filled. I mean, who needs a nap when you have ballet and art?

My first stop was the City of Lights for the Étoile Gala at the Opéra Garnier. The sheer extravagance of it all! I swear, they simply can't resist a grand spectacle. But it was precisely what we needed after a long winter. The exquisite costumes, a dazzling set design by Jean-Paul Gaultier (what else?), and the ballet itself – simply breathtaking. The Parisian dancers, both new and veterans, gave us everything and more. There were moments of grace that melted my heart, moments of sheer athletic prowess that left me gasping for air, and oh, the sheer power and emotion they brought to each movement! A veritable symphony of ballet! And of course, a finale that brought the entire house to their feet! You couldn't tear my eyes away from the pure joy and passion on everyone’s faces – both on stage and off.

Next, I whisked myself away to the Royal Opera House in London. I must confess, the last few years have been a bit of a letdown, but they have truly redeemed themselves with their latest production of Swan Lake. It felt so incredibly fresh and bold! Gone was the saccharine sweet interpretation; it was raw and captivating. I adore how they gave Odette’s madness its due space and emotion, exploring her tormented psyche with raw beauty. And let's not forget the magnificent performance by that divine creature, Sergei Polunin. Oh darling, what a man! Every single move, every glint in his eyes, it all exuded such strength and control, yet with such raw emotion beneath the surface! You could tell he’s just getting started. My only wish was that I could have seen more of him. But don’t worry, lovelies, I hear rumours of him on the silver screen. It’s all very exciting, I know.

But who am I kidding, London is no longer the epicentre of the ballet world, that honour now rests firmly with New York! From my darling friend, the impeccable **Gelsey Kirkland’s** exquisite interpretation of the quintessential ballet, *Giselle*, to the stunningly fresh, **New York City Ballet's** **Tiler Peck**’s innovative contemporary piece, I must say that their recent shows are quite captivating. New York is alive with the dynamism of modern ballet. You really get the sense that this is where the magic is happening. Of course, American ballerinas are no strangers to athleticism, but what I truly admire is their innate expressiveness, their natural, instinctive movement that's so unique, and so refreshing. The joy, the grief, the angst, everything is conveyed with a powerful emotional transparency.

I confess, however, that my heart went out to the **American Ballet Theatre**. This past month, the company went through a period of turbulence and the shadow of scandal loomed large, yet I must commend their commitment to grace and dedication to the craft. It’s something we all need a bit more of in this world! There’s so much to look forward to; **David Hallberg**, he is truly a beacon of elegance in his roles.

But let's not be fooled, darling. New York isn’t the only game in town when it comes to innovation. A true ballet fan travels far and wide, and this month, I made my way to the land of **Martha Graham**. Yes, that Martha Graham!

Now, I know what you’re thinking; you might be asking yourselves, what is a creature of the ballet world doing at the Graham headquarters? But let me tell you, my dear. Modern dance is not something to be feared. There is something exquisite, powerful, raw and daring in these works. Imagine *Swan Lake* on crack, without the feathers, or a *Giselle* gone off the rails – just a beautiful human, her body, her spirit, and her thoughts, all put out there in the starkest and most vulnerable ways. It’s truly mesmerizing, even to us classic girls! I can't help but adore this incredible woman's spirit and revolutionary contributions to dance. If the past month taught me anything, it is to expand your horizons! Don't confine yourself to just the predictable and the graceful. Open your eyes to a whole new world. There is a breathtaking dance waiting for you around every corner, every alleyway, and in every theatre, if you only have the courage to look.

And speaking of courageous spirits and revolutionary ideas, did you see the amazing new installation at the Guggenheim by **Marina Abramović**? A complete sensory overload, in the best possible way. She is a true visionary.

To balance all that heavy thinking, I ventured into the whimsical world of **Alice Neel**, that fantastic portraitist at the Met! Her paintings were like stepping into a charming and vibrant conversation with history. My favourite has to be her exquisite, albeit poignant, portrait of the ballerina **Carmen de Lavallade**. And who could resist the playful energy in **Jeff Koons**’s retrospectives at the Gagosian? It felt like one long, glorious and indulgent romp through art, in a very fun way, you know what I mean? London Fashion Week: Fashion, Ballet, Art & the Muses

As if that wasn't enough to fuel a girl's passion, I practically hopped on a plane and arrived just in time to see London's **Fashion Week**, which was a bit of a frenzy. Now I know you’re not meant to have a personal style, as ballerinas are meant to serve the choreographer’s vision, but there was a certain something special about the way some of these fashion houses were drawing inspiration from the dancers, our elegance, our posture, and the story behind our movement, oh darling it was captivating! A true testament to the impact and beauty of our art form, don't you think? I particularly fell head over heels for the new collection by **Christopher Kane** - his use of colours, textiles and body shaping made me think of the stunning dancers at the Royal Ballet in London, all sculpted bodies and graceful movements. It's really incredible to see this crossover. Even **Valentino** has been doing this ballet-inspired thing for years, using the colours and drama of dance in his collections. That's why he has an entirely new category at this year's Met Gala. ** Ballet in fashion, a beautiful merging!** And, the muses who were at the **Versace** show; my word! It's enough to make you believe in fairies and dreamland all over again, wouldn't you say?

There were more exciting moments: I found myself laughing along with my fellow ballerinas at the opening night gala of the **Cirque du Soleil**. You know me, I’m not one for circus troupes, but even a girl who lives for ballet has to admit to the brilliance of the performers, the beautiful costumes and that breathtaking sense of adventure and spectacle. Such a riot of colour and joy! My friends and I were especially charmed by the daredevil aerialists; those boys in the air just had that youthful, unfettered charm that you only find at the very pinnacle of any artistic expression.

I even stole away to an underground performance of **Butoh** dance - very shocking but rather mesmerizing. And you know I can’t possibly leave you without some insider tips! For all of you beautiful, fearless ballet fans out there: If you’re planning a spring trip, keep your eyes peeled for performances from **Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo**, my favourite bunch of crazy ballet boys. They will be making a stop in Paris this spring, oh my, do not miss out. Their “gender-bending" takes the world of ballet by storm and their humor is pure genius. They have even more tours lined up! Let’s keep dancing!