The Pointe of View: A Ballet Bonanza
February 2002 - Darling, it's a whole new world out there. The stage is alight with dazzling performances and a whirl of innovative productions, each promising a fresh, exhilarating twist on the timeless art form.
First stop, the incomparable **Royal Ballet** at the **Covent Garden** in London. They have brought to life a truly spectacular **Romeo and Juliet**! You can't beat a classic, and it was a masterpiece of drama and choreography. Darcy Bussell was pure fire as Juliet. Her movements are like liquid silk, all graceful yet fiercely powerful. You could feel the passion leaping from the stage, and let's face it, her partner Johan Kobborg has got legs that could kill! They stole the show, even eclipsing the exquisite costumes, although let's face it, the production would make any fashionista weep with joy. It's worth the journey to the Garden alone!
But the London scene doesn't end there. **Matthew Bourne** has really taken the theatre world by storm with **Sleeping Beauty**, presented by the **New Adventures**. It's Bourne's interpretation, naturally, so forget the sugary sweet Sleeping Beauty of your childhood! It’s a modern masterpiece that explores themes of darkness and light with captivating theatrical brilliance, all set to a mesmerizing Tchaikovsky score. **Adriana Nedelea** gave a riveting performance as Aurora - absolutely divine in her costumes. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one touring across the world, darling.
Now, let's jet set across the channel to **Paris**, where the **Opéra de Paris** continues to enchant with **La Bayadère** by **Natalia Makarova**. If there's a better interpretation of the White Act, darling, I haven't seen it. It's exquisite. From the sumptuous sets to the exquisite dancing, the **Grand Ballet** brought a storybook romance to life. There's so much emotion in this one, and **Sylvie Guillem** as the titular **Bayadère** just breaks your heart with her performance, beautifully balanced by the sheer perfection of **Laurent Hilaire** as Solor. The whole piece, including the captivating costumes by **Christian Lacroix**, truly brought out the sheer artistry of ballet at its best.
Let's skip to **America**, specifically **New York City**. Ah, the **American Ballet Theatre** - they've really brought back the classic **Giselle**. And it's breathtaking. A young and ambitious **Julie Kent**, just lovely, embodies the heartbreak and devotion of **Giselle** in a truly heartfelt performance, with her graceful, controlled movements. **Marcelo Gomes** brings to life a charming, handsome Albrecht, creating a sense of melancholy and longing on stage. It was quite a powerful production and certainly a performance that stays with you. **Gelsey Kirkland**, in particular, should be praised for her choreography, bringing an undeniable freshness to the performance, without losing any of the heart of the piece.
And, of course, there's the incredible **New York City Ballet** with their captivatingly modern production of **The Nutcracker**, directed by the fabulous **Peter Martins**. It's an interpretation that truly shows how this iconic ballet can still feel completely fresh, innovative and surprisingly daring. **Darci Kistler**, beautiful as a ballerina should be, shines in this interpretation. She delivers such energy and grace on stage. Every pirouette, every arabesque is a vision to behold. This is the epitome of modern classical dance. They’re simply the **crème de la crème** and if you are a fan of classical ballet, darling, you must experience it!
Let's pop over to the beautiful **St Petersburg**. The **Mariinsky Ballet** is absolutely exceptional! Their latest **Sleeping Beauty** production is simply dazzling, like a beautifully curated museum display, full of beauty and precision. **Uliana Lopatkina** is an icon in this world of ballet, darling, and her **Aurora** will leave you speechless. **Iván Vasilev** embodies a handsome, youthful Prince and the entire production showcases the breathtaking artistry of this ballet company. They create the most stunning magic. They truly epitomize a bygone era, where every movement is pure, polished perfection.
So darling, make the time to indulge in the wonders of ballet. Whether you prefer the heart-wrenching drama of **Romeo and Juliet**, the romantic grandeur of **La Bayadère** or the timeless beauty of **Sleeping Beauty**, there's a masterpiece waiting for you on the world's stages this February. And, if you happen to be a dedicated ballet lover like myself, I highly recommend picking up a subscription to **Dance Magazine** or **Ballet News** for all the latest happenings.
You’ll simply never tire of the sheer magic of a truly good performance. Now go, go, darling, and grab yourself some tickets!