Darlings, itās August already! Time seems to be skipping along faster than a pirouette at the Bolshoi. How has summer been treating you all? Iām sure, like me, you've been soaking up the sun and escaping to dreamy beaches with nothing but a fabulous swimsuit and the most delicious cocktails (I recommend the new hibiscus gin & tonic with a dash of grenadine, heavenly).
Anyway, back to business ā this monthās edition of the "Dance Dispatches" promises to be absolutely exquisite! It seems the world of ballet has gone completely bonkers in August, with breathtaking performances and shows happening everywhere from the glistening Parisian OpĆ©ra to the charming intimacy of London's Sadler's Wells. First Up: Parisian Perfection at the OpĆ©ra
Iām always a sucker for a bit of Parisian chic and, oh my, did the OpĆ©ra deliver this month! They brought out the big guns, thatās for sure, opening the month with an incredible revival of *Giselle*. My dearest friend, Camille, who dances the leading role for them, sent me the most beautiful photos ā her costume, inspired by the latest Chanel collection, was a masterpiece in itself. She looks simply divine, radiating such tragic beauty. I canāt wait to see it myself. They're also premiering a new piece by the incredibly talented Benjamin Millepied, *La Belle Ćpoque*, which apparently fuses classical ballet with modern storytelling and promises to be absolutely captivating. Honestly, I couldnāt have dreamed of a better opening to August! Then Itās On to London Town!
You know, I truly do believe that London is one of the best cities in the world for dance lovers ā the energy there is truly electrifying. I just spent a glorious weekend there taking in the extraordinary productions happening at the Royal Opera House and Sadler's Wells.
The Royal Opera House was presenting *The Sleeping Beauty*, a classic fairytale set to Tchaikovsky's dreamy score. The opulent costumes, sparkling sets, and incredibly skilled dancers just stole my breath away. I think *Sleeping Beauty* will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first major ballet at the Royal Opera House, all those years ago! Time does fly, darling! I can't wait to go and experience it all over again, with new eyes and an even more appreciative heart.
Over at Sadler's Wells, they had a rather surprising treat in store ā the groundbreaking work *Dark Matter* by the visionary choreographer Wayne McGregor. Itās a dance-theater experience, which really isn't my usual cup of tea, I'll be honest, but I decided to push my boundaries and try something new. Let me tell you, it blew me away! The use of innovative lighting and technology created a truly mesmerizing and emotional experience.
They also had the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov gracing the stage with his masterclass ā and just to give you an idea of the level of artistic excellence, the master himself, after an extensive 30 years' retirement, appeared onstage alongside the stunning French ballerina Marie-AgnĆØs Gillot! It was an absolute honour and privilege to have witnessed their beautiful synergy on the Sadler's Wells stage, a testament to their lifelong devotion to dance. Off to the Other Side of the World...
Now, I must confess that I'm feeling a little envious of everyone in Australia right now. It seems the Australian Ballet has just wrapped up a dazzling production of *Swan Lake*. Imagine, the most beautiful costumes, breathtaking performances, and the iconic score by Tchaikovsky, all under the shimmering Australian sunshine!
I've been told their rendition of the pas de deux, a highlight of *Swan Lake*, is completely breathtaking, and their beautiful ballerinas, especially the captivating Georgia Northcote, stole the show with their delicate elegance. It sounds divine ā who could ask for more? Dance is Truly Internationalā¦
Don't be fooled by my current London-centric obsession, darling ā the dance world really does encompass the entire globe.
Right this very second, a ballet production of *Don Quixote*, complete with its signature dazzling colour palette, is sweeping through Europe! Iām so grateful I managed to catch a sneak peek of the production at the Teatro Real in Madrid. And let's not forget the vibrant tango-inspired masterpiece *Tango PasiĆ³n*, which is touring all around the world this month. This powerful choreography, full of passion and raw emotion, takes you on a thrilling journey of sensuality, perfectly captured in the intoxicating music and costumes! But Itās Not Just Balletā¦
Of course, the dance world is much bigger than just ballet! From contemporary and modern dance to hip-hop and even circus performance, it seems that dance is truly captivating audiences all over the globe.
Right now, Iām completely enthralled with the latest hip-hop dance show to sweep across the UK - *Flock*! This isnāt your average stage show, it's raw and dynamic, fusing spoken word with acrobatic, athletic choreography. This phenomenal dance company really put the audience on its toes and I loved their energy and passion! If you havenāt already, I highly recommend catching it before it ends its UK run.
While weāre on the topic, Iāve also been intrigued by the exciting dance-circus productions, a truly thrilling combination of acrobatics, contortion, and daring feats. This month saw the *Cirque du Soleil*, the legendary circus performers, arrive at the beautiful Royal Albert Hall for a stunning display of theatrical prowess and skill.
It truly seems that every art form, no matter how old or traditional, is now exploring how it can be enriched by elements of contemporary dance. There is an excitement about dance and performance today that feels incredibly invigorating, both to witness and experience. My Upcoming Performances...
As you know, my little life has been dedicated to dance and performance. After this wonderfully inspiring summer, I'm preparing for my return to the stage. Iāve got an incredible season ahead of me ā starting with a few exciting performances at The Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. This venerable theatre is absolutely magical; it holds such an aura of artistry and grandeur, and the crowds are truly passionate about ballet. It will be my fourth time performing at the Mariinsky and each time, the feeling of being surrounded by such adoring audiences is thrilling. Iāll also be debuting my very own choreography in London at the Royal Opera House, a ballet called *Dreamscapes*, based on the beautiful paintings by Van Gogh, which was the most wonderfully dreamy and evocative experience. My mindās absolutely swirling with possibilities and creativity as I continue to develop the piece! It is truly an exciting time for dance and Iām thrilled to be a part of it all. My Beauty Regime:
Before we sign off, I do love a good beauty routine, my dears. Here's a little sneak peek into my routine for achieving those āafter a brilliant ballet performanceā flawless glow. After a hard day of practice, my go-to is a deep cleansing balm. It's like a little luxurious massage for my tired muscles and the scent just makes me feel completely rejuvenated! And then for a bit of extra care, nothing beats a generous layer of deeply moisturizing face cream with a splash of rose water ā ahhh, itās heavenly! My little secret? You simply can't skip on your facial scrub and mask, even with the busiest schedule ā that fresh and radiant skin makes all the difference. But of course, my most treasured item? That's gotta be my luxurious lip gloss ā I simply love the way it makes my lips gleam under the stage lights! So, until next time, darling, dance with grace and live your best life!