Ballet Today
Photography Ruth Hogben
With Christmas comes The Nutcracker, a beloved production put on by ballet companies around the world. It’s the ballet event of the year, when the general public flock to the theatre. At any other time of year, however, ballet is the domain of the prestigious and smug rather than an art for the masses. Public perception sees ballet as a stiff art form from ages past, with long, incomprehensible stories meant for those invested through experience or money. Yet ballet is alive: from the dramatic to the silly, choreographers and composers are still creating new shows, with curious stories and a synthesis of dance styles. This is by no means exhaustive, but rather an entry point into ballet. The beauty of dance awaits, we just hope to open the door.
Photo by Erin Baiano, New York, 2019
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1962)
The work of the great George Balanchine (whose choreography you’ve most likely seen in many modern performances of The Nutcracker), A Midsummer Night’s Dream adapts Shakespeare’s famous comedy. It is one of the closest to the classical ballet canon in the modern era, given its emphasis on technique and its source material. The costuming is reminiscent of the play’s Grecian inspirations and provides a romantic aura. It is a testament to the athleticism in dance, with massive leaps that give fairy creatures like Puck the illusion of flight. Playful and enchanting, the ballet focuses on light footwork and airy movements, a perfect choice for a dreamy romance full of fairies and misunderstandings.
A staple of the New York City Ballet, it returns Spring 2024, from May 28 through June 2.
Photo by Johan Perrson, London, 2023
Edward Scissorhands (2005)
Debuting in 2005 under the direction of Matthew Bourne for New Adventures, Edward Scissorhands is an adaptation of Tim Burton’s movie of the same name. It fuses classical ballet steps with jazz and musical theatre dance. The jazz elements establish the 1950s-inspired town of Hope Springs. The scissor hand props temper and guide the ballet’s romance between Edward and Kim, creating sharp, yet beautifully gentle tension between the principal dancers. The result is bombastic ensemble performances that contrast the delicate partner work.
Edward Scissorhands is currently touring in the UK and is now showing at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, England, until January 20, 2024. New Adventures also provides a visual guide for the show and has sensory-friendly performances.
Johan Persson/Royal Opera House
Alice in Wonderland (2011)
Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon for the Royal Ballet, Alice in Wonderland takes Lewis Carroll’s famous wordplay and nonsense and transforms it with exceptional dance genres and illusory set design. It is truly a love letter to dance and the ballet canon, and standouts abound: The choice to have the Mad Hatter tap dance turns him into an instrument accompanying the orchestra; the Tart Adage is a comedic homage to Sleeping Beauty’s Rose Adage through purposeful flubbing of classical technique. Wonderland comes alive through psychedelic sets, extensive use of puppetry, and lighting, allowing characters like the Cheshire Cat to fully come to life. Dancers’ lines become angular, adding to the oddity of the show. Together with composer Joby Talbot, syncopation worms its way through the ballet for an energetic experience.
It comes to the National Ballet of Canada on March 6-17, 2024.
