October, darling! A symphony of colours and stories, each performance an explosion of grace and emotion, and my dear, weâre dancing to a brand new beat this month!
My lovelies, let me tell you, the air crackles with excitement as October descends. From the grand ballets of Paris to the intimate performances in New York, itâs a month bursting with creativity and pure artistic brilliance. The scent of rose-petal perfume hangs heavy in the air, swirling with the faint whisper of autumn leaves, the promise of something grand on the horizon.
This seasonâs ballet extravaganza kicks off with the ever-daring Royal Ballet. Their interpretation of "Swan Lake" at the Royal Opera House was divine, my dears! You know how much I love a bit of drama, and this production definitely delivered.
I am simply enchanted with the way Svetlana Zakharova portrays Odette, she brings this fairytale character to life in a way I have never seen before. Itâs simply exquisite â from her flowing white tutu to the heart-wrenching moments as the white swan. And Sergey Polunin's dark and brooding Rothbart? Oh my! It was simply electrifying.
And darling, donât even get me started on the costumes! The balletâs opulent white feathered tutus â each one a masterpiece. I could have sworn I spotted a tiny crystal glittering on Odetteâs shoulder in the moonlight⌠oh the magic! Theyâve brought a fresh new dimension to the classic, the sheer athleticism of the dancers juxtaposed against the haunting romance of the story is simply breathtaking. Oh, itâs enough to make a girl swoon!
And then, off to New York we fly, the pulse of the city, buzzing, vibrant! I was absolutely captivated by the New York City Ballet production of âThe Nutcrackerâ, a true testament to George Balanchineâs artistic vision. Itâs a whirlwind of colour, excitement and dazzling dance â think oversized bonbons and dancing sugar plums â absolutely divine! And let's not forget those adorable little angels with their little fluffy wings - pure cuteness!
I had the absolute pleasure of being seated just above the stage. I practically fell in love with the lead ballerina - oh, sheâs such a beauty â she glided through the performance with the grace and elegance of a true star. And speaking of beauty, let's not forget the fabulous set! The detail was astounding - those tiny Christmas tree baubles...it felt as if we were all tucked inside a Christmas cracker ready to explode with joyful cheer.
Of course, we canât talk about Octoberâs performances without mentioning the annual American Ballet Theatre gala, this year celebrating its 80th Anniversary - an extraordinary affair my dear, a triumph of style and elegance. A spectacle unlike any other. It was simply mesmerizing, all the big names in ballet â so chic!
But the show's heartwarming message of inclusivity touched my heart. It showcased the beauty of diversity â bringing together so many different styles of ballet and performance on the stage. There were dancers of every age, race and background. This, my dears, is what ballet is all about, its inclusivity, itâs message of unity.
But then came the surprise â my lovelies â it wasnât just ballets this month! Across the pond in London, the National Theatre wowed us with âFolliesâ.
Now, a Broadway musical - a bit of a departure from ballet you might think - but this production had all the theatrical pizazz of any grand ballet production. The singing, the storytelling the magnificent costume design - my dears, it was simply sublime. The dazzling costumes -think showgirls of a bygone era, and letâs not forget the feather boas â I simply adored those! The whole show felt so stylish and sophisticated â truly a night to remember. And for someone who simply adores dancing, there was something truly captivating about those sharp tap dancing scenes. It was pure rhythmic magic!
But darling, donât just take my word for it â if you find yourself in a major city this October, why not indulge in an enchanting evening of ballet or even a breathtaking Broadway show. Each and every production is a story waiting to be told â a story waiting to sweep you off your feet.
Now, my darlings, go forth and get your dancing shoes ready, because this season promises a thrilling kaleidoscope of emotions and dance, waiting to be unveiled!
Stay fashionable my darlings,
XOXO,
Aurelia