Ballet

Carlos Acosta, a fine specimen of a man but that’s not all he is, he happens to be the world finest ballet dancer, some people have everything don’t they?! It’s safe to say I know absolutely nothing when it comes to ballet, a true ignoramus when it comes to a double plie. Although I may have gone last night purely to see a beautiful man it happened to be one of the most extraordinary experiences. I was completely expecting to think ballet would be OK but a tad on the boring side. Instead I was engrossed in its streamline elegance and power. I know that dancing aficionados worldwide will detest my ignorance but you have to start somewhere surely?

It became an hour and a half of pure escapism, backed stunningly by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and it was striking how quickly the time passed. The sheer strength and grace which Acosta carries is inspirational. By sprinkling his dances with aspects of comedy he combined modernity with the traditional which in turn helps ballet become accessible to anyone. Many fear ballet; it’s easy to consider it a product of elitism, its high brow nature something which only the middle classes can enjoy therefore an evening which destroys this convention is admirable.

It may not be the finest ballet ever performed but if it shatters people’s preconceptions and reticence towards Ballet then we should embrace Acosta's motives. Admittedly 99% of the audience was women but I think most people left feeling more affected than they thought they would be.

H xx