Darling, oh darling, what a start to the new year we've had! 2006, it's a brand new chapter, a blank page on the story of our lives. I'm still pinching myself - what a wonderful gift to see these performances grace the stage across the globe. As you all know, I've danced my heart out for decades, and while I've hung up my pointe shoes, my love for this art form burns ever brighter. Let me tell you, dears, I've been dancing around in my own salon like a giddy schoolgirl, reminiscing and reveling in the brilliance we've witnessed!
Let's start where it all begins, **the Bolshoi**. Oh, those Russians! The theatre buzzes with their raw talent, with the history embedded in their walls. This month, **The Sleeping Beauty** danced off the stage, quite literally! The choreography is as intricate as an antique Fabergé egg, every step a masterpiece. The dancers were... well, perfection. Anna Nikulina - I can't help but gasp at her brilliance! The very embodiment of Aurora, her performance was sheer enchantment. And that Pas de Deux with Dmitry Belyaev - pure magic, I tell you, pure magic. You felt the electricity crackle through the auditorium. I even saw a few gentlemen wiping away a tear or two!
From Moscow to Manhattan, I found myself at **the New York City Ballet** a week later, watching **Jerome Robbins's The Concert** again, and dear, you wouldn't believe the energy! I feel a little guilty about saying this but, honestly, I haven't seen anything like it in years. The way he juxtaposes classical and contemporary styles – it's pure genius! You felt the laughter, the frustration, the love, everything! The entire audience was on their feet by the finale, tears and all.
But let's not forget about **the Paris Opera Ballet**! What a grand affair, as always. The elegance, the refined movements – this ballet embodies Parisian chic at its finest. I had the good fortune of witnessing **La Bayadère**, a stunning spectacle! The iconic "Kingdom of the Shades" sequence with its celestial ethereal beauty – oh darling, the costumes! The feathers! A breathtaking, breathtaking ballet. The ballerina who danced Nikia, Sylvie Guillem, her movements are like liquid gold! Truly a legend of our time, a legend who dances with so much heart.
The Brits, oh the Brits, are holding their own, aren't they? **The Royal Ballet**, in particular, has always held a special place in my heart, it feels like a second home to me, darling. This month, it was their turn to dance The Nutcracker, a seasonal classic. And you know, while I can't help but miss my beloved dear old Covent Garden, they're making quite the splash at the Royal Opera House. The little dancers from the Royal Ballet School were utterly charming, with their innocent eyes and nimble toes. The young ballerina who danced Clara was, well, a complete darling. A little treasure, full of life and passion! It reminded me why I first fell in love with this beautiful dance, so pure, so hopeful, so utterly magical.
Speaking of hopeful, **Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater** took the world by storm with Revelations! What a feast for the senses! Such raw power, such poignant emotions expressed with every step, every move! You'd be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed with their raw passion and exquisite storytelling. I was reminded that dance goes beyond the elegant costumes and graceful leaps – it's about humanity, about expression, about telling a story through movement.
Then we have **the San Francisco Ballet** dancing Romeo and Juliet. Oh my word, this Romeo and Juliet were the embodiment of tragic romance! You felt the heartbreak, the agony, the passion of this beautiful yet forbidden love. A truly compelling performance that left everyone wanting more.
Now, if you're looking for something different, darling, a breath of fresh air – check out the **Rambert Dance Company**. I confess I’m drawn to their raw energy and unconventional choreography. **The Sea**, an abstract work about the ever-changing forces of nature, had me on the edge of my seat, glued to every step and turn. So dynamic and expressive, I daresay even the furniture at my salon could move to this incredible choreography. I feel a certain youthful excitement about their performances, a real spark, darling, a real spark. It reminded me that there are so many paths to take, so many stories to be told through dance.
It's not just the established companies, darlings, there’s a wave of new and exciting choreographers and performers breaking into the world stage. I just watched the young company **National Dance Company Wales**, an absolute joy, I tell you! With their bold choreography and vibrant energy, these dancers pushed boundaries, challenged expectations and moved audiences to tears. I feel their ambition and determination and I for one, am ready to see their career unfold with such grace and style!
But of course, there is so much more to be experienced than just traditional ballets. Contemporary dance is exploding onto the scene, redefining what dance can be. From **Merce Cunningham Dance Company**’s abstract and thought-provoking pieces to **Pilobolus**'s inventive and playful shows, you’re in for a visual and emotional journey.
Oh, darling, how I adore a good contemporary piece! I particularly love the sheer beauty of **William Forsythe**'s choreography – such elegance, such athleticism! The movement, the precision, it's all so incredibly detailed. You don't just watch a dance; you become immersed in the energy, in the story, a beautiful form of escapism.
Then, of course, we can't forget about **dance on film**. Now, we can see all the wonders of ballet right in our drawing-rooms. Films like **"Billy Elliot"** and **"The Red Shoes"** never fail to take me back to my own time on stage, reminding me of the joy and challenges that this life offers. A beautiful, inspiring dance through memory, dear!
But more than anything, darlings, I want to share my own greatest source of inspiration - the students at **The Royal Ballet School**! My, these little treasures, these hopeful souls, dancing with all the innocence of youth. It’s a real joy to see the future of ballet in their shining eyes and energetic movements. Their raw talent reminds me why I fell in love with this art form, why I dedicate my life to it. It is their youthful enthusiasm, their raw talent, and the unwavering dedication they all bring that will make dance so vital, so captivating in the future.
As I sit here, sipping my tea, listening to "Clair de Lune," and watching a new group of dancers at The Royal Ballet School through their live feed, I feel such a sense of peace. The stage might have faded from my view, but dance continues to flow through my veins. This isn’t just a passion for me; it’s a way of life. It’s a reminder that beauty and grace can still be found, even amidst the whirlwind of everyday life. So darling, dance on! Embrace this art form, and let its magic move you as it has moved me for a lifetime.