dance till’ you drop?

 

It is on days like yesterday that I become fully aware of just how difficult and demanding and exhausting ballet is, to the point where it gets almost unbearable (just before you get some sort of release). We are currently in the process of intensive preparation for a tour, and have been rehearsing literally till we aren’t able to move anymore..

Yesterday we repeated every step in a section of Cinderella about 20 times, yet we still couldn’t get it to resemble what the artistic director wanted of us..The worst bit (apart from feeling like my feet were being poked with hundreds of little knives all over) was not being able to get off the stage for a sip of water..  The thirst, coupled with general exhaustion and the director’s demands to repeat, was really something.

 

I think the good thing about days like these is that they really train your willpower and inner strengh, probably in a way like nothing else will… You are at a point where you cannot retreat, compromise, hesitate, you just have to go on and DO IT, overcoming yourself if necessary. Also, I feel like this is when the company bonds the most – everyone is in the same situation here, and there’s a real feeling of comraderie and understanding in the air, which is so rare at the theatre…:)

Anyway, something on a completely unrelated topic: I recently stumbled upon this blog, called The “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks, and just fell in love with it. Check it out! (the name says it all)

Dance on camera

This is a video of Irek Mukhamedov and Viviana Durante dancing the Summer pas de deux from Kenneth MacMillan’s The Four Seasons, made in 1992. I love how harmonious it is – the music, the choreography, the dancers…how they all blend and make the piece complete. It is somehow so pure, a true performance that touches and moves  – rare nowadays, and probably just as rare back in the day.. Definitely one of my favourite ballet recordings, it really appeals to me on many levels.

And this is ‘Ballerina on a Boat’ – an exquisite old animated clip, set to the music of Schnittke. Have you ever seen a ballerina with more grace and charm than this young lady? I don’t think that is even possible. What a beautiful interpretation!!

Finally, since I’m posting YouTube links today, and am on the subject of animation, I might as well recommend another gem of Russian animated films – “My Love” by the talented Alexander Petrov – created using a complicated and interesting technique that includes painting on glass sheets). It gives us a glimpse into the life of a young boy in 19th century Russia.. The cartoon is done in great taste and radiates the creator’s distinct style. This is part 1 of 3 (with subtitles in English). Enjoy!