«What’s so wonderful about ballet is that it’s mind-driven physicality. It’s almost a Greek ideal of body, mind, and form.»
Edward Villella in Nancy Upper’s Ballet Dancer’s in Career Transition
During my vacation in Japan, there was a ballet event at the New National Theatre Tokyo: «Ballet Asteras 2024». As written on the ticket: «Inviting Japanese dancers from Overseas to connect the Japanese Ballet to the World».
Essentially you had a collection of the best dances from various ballet performances, done by the very best. Dances were usually pas de deux, from, e.g., «Romeo and Juliet», «Hamlet», «The Sleeping Beauty», or «Dangerous Liaisons».
The first part was beautiful — just an elegant and well done performance by the dancers. And the second part, well, that blew me away.
First, there was Conrazoncorazon, done by a group of dancers. The first part of it reminded me of a burlesque or something, incl. WWI or WWII style French music. Then the tone switched to something akin to a 60s beat. But it wasn’t so much the music as the powerful enthusiasm and utter conviction of the dancers that made the performance great. It was just impressive.
Later there was a pas de deux, not sure whether is was «Dangerous Liaisons» or some other, that was just so … fluid. So effortless yet they were always in the right place for each other. Just beautiful and WOW. Just WOW.
So, yeah, highly recommended.
Oh, and BTW, the New National Theatre Tokyo is a beautiful building in itself:
