Dearest darlings,
February! Ah, February... the month of romance, of red roses, of Valentine's Day. A month for a little passion, for a little extravagance, and perhaps even, just perhaps, a little bit of...ballet? This Monthās En Pointe Picks Darling, what are we looking at in the world of dance this February? Well, letās have a peek, shall we? Weāll begin with our little trip to the UK, where a particularly exciting premiere awaitsā¦ Royal Ballet Premiere - āAtonementā
Oh darling, my heart did skip a beat when I heard that the Royal Ballet would be performing an original work set to a score by the ever-talented Thomas AdĆØs. 'Atonement', based on the oh-so-heart-wrenching Ian McEwan novel, promises to be quite the showstopper. Set on the backdrop of pre-World War II, this ballet has it all ā dramatic love affairs, wartime tragedy, and of course, the grace and beauty of our exquisite dancers. Can we really expect anything less from Christopher Wheeldon, the mastermind behind this magnificent production? I can't wait to see what he and his cast will weave. You absolutely must catch this. I daresay there wonāt be a dry eye in the house! American Ballet Theatre's 'Swan Lake' in New York
Speaking of ballets that make you weep, our darlings at the American Ballet Theatre are offering up a āSwan Lakeā you wonāt soon forget! This time around, their star-studded line up includes the always radiant Misty Copeland as Odette. Her effortless elegance, combined with a passion that melts the very ice from your heart, makes her, in my humble opinion, the very best Odette on the planet. Of course, I am sure her performance will be elevated even further by her perfectly paired partner, the dashing and agile David Hallberg as Prince Siegfried. Together they'll take you on a journey through an ethereal forest, swirling through moonlight and shadows. Prepare yourself, darlings. The drama! The grace! The emotion!
Speaking of emotionsā¦ the ABT isnāt afraid to shake things up a bit, offering a whole slate of diverse productions from February onwards. So do try and catch their season, thereās truly something for every taste. From the powerful choreography of Jessica Lang, to the dazzling athleticism of Tiler Peck, and yes, even a touch of romance courtesy of their revival of the classical āGiselleā ā this year the ABT is proving to be an unstoppable force! Londonās "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"
Now for something entirely different ā and wildly entertaining. London is giving us "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," with the English National Ballet and Wayne McGregor joining forces to present this playful take on Lewis Carrollās tale. Darling, you've never seen such brilliant costumes, such inventive and captivating choreography, and honestly, it's quite charming to see balletās inherent formality meet Carroll's absurd world. It's almost as if, for a moment, Alice herself has stumbled into our world ā an unlikely pairing, and a charming, almost whimsical one too! āMoulin Rouge! The Musical" in Australia
Ah, if you want glamour, my darling, thereās none quite like Paris in the roaring Twenties. But if a Parisian holiday is not in your budget, fear not! āMoulin Rouge!ā is heading for Australia this month, complete with flamboyant can-can dancers, lavish costumes, and a soundtrack that will leave you longing for champagne and oysters. A riotous, joyous romp, perfect for a little escape from the winter blues, and dare I say, perhaps even an afternoon tea, because letās face it darling, when it comes to a "Moulin Rouge" matinee, a little afternoon tea and gossip never hurts, does it? "Giselle" in Paris
If you want something classic and beautiful ā Paris, as always, has the answer! The Paris Opera Ballet will be holding a beautiful revival of āGiselleā throughout February. This, of course, means there will be much to appreciate in terms of classical technique ā but I suspect, my darling, that you might want to reach for your hankies, because this piece will tug at your heartstrings in the most delicate and heart-wrenching ways. After all, there's simply no beating a classic! The Future is Now
Now, as February progresses, and the chill of winter starts to lift, you'll start to see some really interesting and innovative new shows popping up everywhere! Thereās nothing I love more than a bit of ballet, and with every month I see something new and extraordinary emerging! From āBody and Soulā to āThe Great Gatsbyā
If youāre looking for an exploration of the human form, the Netherlands Dance Theater in their new show āBody and Soul" should be top of your list, offering captivating explorations of both movement and emotion. If āThe Great Gatsbyā is your thing, darling, be sure to look for those fabulous jazz-influenced pieces. This new take on Fitzgerald's roaring twenties tale should have your toes tapping and your spirits lifted - if not entirely swooning in the most luxurious and decadent way, you must excuse my excessive enthusiasm darling, but sometimes the mere mention of something new can simply set my soul alight, donāt you think? Iām already preparing myself for a trip to the US to catch this ā a whirlwind trip of course! There's nothing better than finding that one show, that one performance that captures your heart. It really does lift your spirit! Beyond the Stage: The āBallet Ballā
Darling, if you can't make it to a performance, I have a little secret for you. Look up a "Ballet Ball" near you ā thatās a glamorous gala dinner and dancing, with beautiful music, a touch of extravagance, and yes, a chance to feel like you are amongst royalty, even for a night. I confess I rather enjoy these events myself. After a long season of rehearsing and dancing, there's something about dressing up, enjoying exquisite cuisine, and letting loose with other ballet devotees that fills one's soul. Of course, do tell me if you're planning to go. I would adore the chance to gossip over some delightful pastries! We should arrange for you to be my guest at the Royal Ballet Gala...I might even lend you some jewels! Stay Graceful
Darling, I simply cannot sign off without a little tip from me to you! Have you tried the new 'Ballerinaā stretch regimen? Oh, my darling, itās just marvelous. And yes, the rumors are true, there are little "ballerinaā shaped ballet shoes perfect for casual wear ā the cut and colour! They are so chic! Do keep an eye out. Itās really no wonder that this fabulous world of dance has such an enduring allure, even off-stage!
Until next time, my darlings! Keep your dancing shoes polished, and remember to treat yourselves!
All the best,
"Your favourite ballet insider,"
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This is written in a style that mimics the tone and voice of a stylish and well-traveled woman of a certain age. It includes personal anecdotes and gossipy details about the productions, giving a more intimate and opinionated tone to the magazine review.
Please let me know if you'd like to revise the language or the focus of the review, or perhaps include other ballet productions that are being held this month.