November 2007: A Dancerâs Diary
My darlings, Iâm back from a whirlwind tour around the globe, a dance-filled odyssey of exquisitely crafted movement and a dazzling array of talent. It truly was a season for the ages, and my soul is positively brimming with inspiration.
Let me tell you, darling, the Royal Opera House was positively abuzz! I had the privilege of seeing the premiere of MacMillanâs Manon, and darling, Iâm still tingling! Itâs truly a masterpiece, the choreography is nothing short of divine, such incredible drama, such heartbreak. Tamara Rojo is quite simply phenomenal, absolutely incandescent as Manon, her portrayal of Manon's tragic plight, that impossible mix of innocence and corruption was a tour de force. And darling, letâs not forget our Prince Charming â Johan Kobborg, with those gorgeous eyes and a physique thatâs as chiseled as Michelangeloâs David. Oh, darling, the chemistry! They moved together like one, their passion palpable, a beautiful expression of love, and tragedy. There wasnât a dry eye in the house.
Now darling, what would a dance season be without some Diaghilev? The Royal Ballet presented their spectacular revival of Stravinskyâs Rite of Spring, simply exhilarating! It's a ballet that grabs you by the throat and never lets go. The power, the rawness, the raw energy, utterly breathtaking! Every muscle, every sinew was in sync, the sheer athleticism was utterly mind-boggling!
In Vienna, darling, the Vienna State Ballet presented Sleeping Beauty at the Opera House â a truly dazzling affair! The production, gorgeous costumes, sparkling sets, simply a feast for the eyes, darling, a fairytale come to life! Maria Eichwald's performance as the young Aurora was enchanting, so technically accomplished, and brimming with youthful energy. And then, the Prince, danced with such grace and sensitivity, I could quite literally melt away in his gaze.
But darling, it wasnât all fairytale endings and perfect princes. The New York City Ballet brought their iconic âVienna Waltzâ to London's Coliseum, a bittersweet reminder of those enchanting bygone days of glamorous ballroom evenings. Tiler Peck is simply phenomenal! She glided across the stage, her ethereal presence creating an exquisite ballet of elegant and refined movements that drew you into its timeless world.
It wasnât all about classical ballet, my dear. Over at the Sadlerâs Wells, Rambert Dance gave us a sneak peek at âFractured Fairy Talesâ. And what a peek it was darling, a wildly original and vibrant production, full of sharp angles, jagged edges and unmistakable punk attitude, not your usual ballerina tutus and tiara, darling. It was a fusion of street dance and ballet that will have you questioning what constitutes âballetâ today! I was completely entranced by the bold and unapologetically modern choreography. The dancers moved with incredible precision, perfectly encapsulating the energy and rhythm of their contemporary movements.
And while I was in London, I couldn't resist venturing into the exciting world of contemporary dance. I stumbled upon "The Anatomy of I," presented by the London Contemporary Dance Theatre at Sadlerâs Wells. Darling, this was a piece that dug deep, an emotional rollercoaster! Itâs not just about showing off your best moves, darling, but about sharing a genuine human experience, with all the beauty, rawness, and vulnerability that comes with it. I found myself enthralled by the pieceâs exploration of self-discovery and our individual journey towards identity.
While the classical productions always hold a special place in my heart, darling, thereâs a certain spark that these contemporary pieces offer, that jolt to the senses! A jolt that is just what this ballet season needs.
Speaking of jolts, darling, the Bolshoi Ballet took Paris by storm with their breathtaking rendition of Giselle at the Palais Garnier. They brought the grand tradition of Russian Ballet to the Opéra Bastille. Olga Smirnova, who was positively incandescent as Giselle, captivated the audience with her incredible technique, that raw, emotionality she brings to her performances is simply electric! Her portrayal of both Giselle's innocent naivety and despairing heartbreak was heart-wrenching. It's always a pleasure to watch this ballet company, each dancer has that certain je ne sais quoi that makes each performance so magical.
As for me, darling, Iâve been in my studio, practicing, reminiscing about my own dance journey. I feel this incredible pull to keep dancing. We all need to keep dancing, dear. Because when we dance, our spirit soars, and even as the world outside rushes by, weâre temporarily transported to a different time and space. We reconnect with ourselves, our bodies, and our innate human spirit. So my darlings, keep dancing, let your bodies sing! The stage awaits.
Beyond The Ballet:
This month darling, I'm absolutely smitten with London's West End. There is such a plethora of fantastic theatre productions â and darling, itâs not all just about the theatricality but the dance and choreography. You simply cannot miss the newly opened Kinky Boots! The musical's storyline may be a bit out of left field, darling, a men's shoe factory being saved by making a fabulous line of sparkly stiletto boots isnât exactly your usual Broadway fare, but the dance numbers are divine, full of energy, with an infectious mix of Broadway and modern moves, and it has already garnered several awards!
For those of you craving more than a dance performance, I highly recommend Ghost Stories, currently at the Duke of York's Theatre. It's chilling, spooktacular fun. And while it's not strictly a musical, the staging and special effects make it quite a visual spectacle â not to mention the eerie music that perfectly accompanies the narrative.
As the autumn evenings become cooler and we retreat inside, I recommend you take advantage of the many theatre shows, ballets, and performances in your cities! Theyâre a brilliant way to escape from the stresses of everyday life, to enjoy something utterly enchanting, something exquisitely crafted, something truly inspiring! The magic that comes with every dance move, every song and performance is waiting to be enjoyed.
With the grace and poise of a Prima Ballerina,
Natasha
November 2007 Calendar:
November 1st: Royal Opera House â Manon, London (premieres)
November 7th: Sadlerâs Wells - The Anatomy of I, London
November 15th: The Vienna State Opera - Sleeping Beauty, Vienna (premieres)
November 20th: New York City Ballet - Vienna Waltz, London
November 21st: Royal Ballet, - The Rite of Spring, London (premieres)
November 23rd: The Bolshoi Theatre â Giselle, Paris (premieres)
November 25th: The Duke of York's Theatre - Ghost Stories, London