On paper, watching a ballet is not my thing at all. I’m much more of a jazz hands, foot tapping, feel good musical kind of girl.
In my head, my naughty pre-judging head, the ballet is for posh people. Posh, well-educated people who can understand every Plie, Pirouette and who have their Tutu’s fluffed at every opportunity.
In reality, I was mesmerised within 5 minutes of the opening act.
So, on Saturday, and for the second time that week, I not only stepped but more leapt out of my comfort zone and went to see The Sleeping Beauty ballet, performed by the rather marvellous Birmingham Royal Ballet. I foolishly thought if I chose a story I kind of knew, I’d be able to follow and understand it better. Major fail!
The Sleeping Beauty ballet is like no other show (is that even the right word?) that I’ve ever experienced. Yes I know the story of Sleeping Beauty, but when it’s performed in such a magical, enchanting and wonderful manner, it’s easy to forget who’s who and what’s going on. I think it was act 2 before I’d worked out, slash remembered, about the Evil Fairy – or was she a witch?!
I expected to be bothered by the lack of singing or talking, but the fabulous orchestra made sure the most amazing music accompanied every step, turn and sissonne fermee and quite honestly, I didn’t even notice the tap, tap, tap of the ballet shoes after a while.
I sat enthralled as my eyes darted over the stage, trying to take in every movement, marvel at the beautiful costumes and be in awe at the sheer brilliance of the Principal Ballerina. Sleeping Beauty herself only looked about 12 but from the way she gracefully moved, she clearly had being working on her art for many, many years – the dedication and commitment of such was certainly not lost on the audience.
Two intervals and four acts later and it was almost over. The Prince kissed Sleeping Beauty, the spell had been broken, the marriage was taking place and the orchestra played ‘Once Upon a Dream’….
And that’s exactly what the whole evening felt like – a beautiful fairy tale dream. A dream I didn’t want to wake up from and a dream I wanted to repeat.
Will I be going back to the ballet? Abso-blooming-lutely!
I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, the gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
Yet I know it’s true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what you’ll do
You’ll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream
But if I know you, I know what you’ll do
You’ll love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream
I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, the gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
And I know it’s true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what you’ll do
You’ll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream
To read more of 50 Ways to Leave Your 40s, click here.
