The Winter's Tale

Not running but ballet watching

To mis-quote Stevie Smith.

Would the huge narrative translate to ballet?

It was the last in the season of Royal Opera House, Covent Garden ballets live streamed into cinemas all around the world. I was so excited to be able to see this new production of an interpretation through ballet of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale.

There were several principal roles in this ballet by Christopher Wheeldon which meant the opportunity for some outstanding dancing by each. Wheeldon did not disappoint and I found myself unable to look away for a single moment throughout the whole ballet.

The dancing was incredibly beautiful and the sheer physicality of the performances took my breath away. I have to say that I am a great fan of modern ballet dance movement and some of the shaping and lines Wheeldon achieved here deserve much praise.

Not only did he manage to tell the story through dance but he described perfectly the deeply disturbing turbulence that the emotion of jealousy had unleashed in King Leontes. 

Then he changed the mood perfectly to create a Spring time pastoral feeling in  Act II for the Village Festival scene. The backdrop of a mossy rooted tree hung with jewellery was superb.

The final scene in which Leontes and Hermoine dance is extraordinarily powerful in its simplicity and pulls every last drop of emotion from the viewer. All of which is only made more sublime by Toby Jalbot's incredible musical scoring throughout this ballet. 

I would have liked to include some of the beautiful images but they are subject to copy right which I have not been able to obtain but you can click here to see some using the link. 

In terms of how the human body works the ballet movements are so extreme as to be unobtainable by most of us. That does not mean that the ability to think of ourselves in terms of getting the best from our bodies is not deepened by the inspiration of these wonderful dancers. It makes you want to work on your ability to stretch your limbs, to be able to balance and to maintain strength.

Running is not just about getting from start to finish as quickly as possible. In order to be the best you can, you need to think about cross training so that you build strength and stamina. In my case, after a recent fall, maintaining balance is a vital part of growing older and one that can be worked on. 

Watching these excellent ballets has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Inspiring in so many ways for my running and for the way in which ballet shows the extent to which the body can be trained and used.

Active Recovery Plan Scuppered!

Instead I become a Royal Ballet Principal Dancer

Well in my dreams at least!

Last night I went to our local cinema where they were live streaming The Royal Opera House performance of The Sleeping Beauty danced by members of The Royal Ballet. It was Laura McCulloch's dancing that stole my heart but I have to say the standard of the whole company was breathtaking. This beautiful photograph was taken of Laura as the Lilac fairy and John Ross who took it has very generously and kindly given me permission to use it. You can see more of John's superb work here:www.johnrossballetgallery.co.uk. 

Please do not use this photo without John's permission, thank you.

As a physical discipline ballet must be one of the most gruelling that the human body undertakes. The extended lines, delicacy and fluidness of each movement must be achieved without any evidence of effort. I adore watching any form of ballet and if I had been gifted with a dancers physique then I would have chosen to dance without hesitation. Not surprising that one of my sporting passions as an adult was dressage which is in itself a form of ballet but the horse takes centre stage.

The dancing last night was incredible and it has inspired me to search out some of my exercise dvds to use once I am over the chesty cough and cold that has scuppered my active running recovery plan. I have The New York Ballet workout and, my all time dancing idol, Darcy Bussell's pilates dvd.

They are very good for building core strength as well as balance both good things for runners

For the moment though it is just more rest for me until I can shake off this pesky cold as well as more planning and a read of this beautiful little children's book that came, in timely fashion, in the post this morning!