I have a dance-mad daughter, who particularly loves ballet and I am quite partial to a night at the ballet too. However, a night at The Royal Opera House is currently on hold, sipping a champagne in the Paul Hamlyn Hall Champagne Bar before taking our seats will just have to be recreated in our house. Here are our ways to get our cultural fix of ballet and for my daughter to keep practicing.
Streaming Ballet
Whilst we fight Covid-19, many of the larger ballet companies have turned to streaming ballet performances, so we can still enjoy them from home.
The Royal Opera House have begun streaming a number of performances in a series called #fromourhousetoyours. Until January 21st, you can stream Alice in Wonderland for £3. The iplayer has a gala of ballet favourites streaming until December 2021.
Sadler’s Wells have launched Digital Stage, which will stream live performances ‘ wherever you are in the world while our live stages are dark’. For more information on all the performances go to Sadler’s Wells
If you fancy travelling a little further in your virtual world, then The Mariinsky Theatre will take you to Russia via their Youtube. I spent a very lovely Saturday evening watching Sleeping Beauty.
Lastly, Marquee TV are offering a 30 day free trial, and their ballet category is packed to the rafters with performances from around the world.
Taking an online ballet class
Being in isolation doesn’t mean you don’t have to stop lessons! There are plenty of places running online classes so you can keep your toes pointed and arms moving with a porte de bras.
The ENB have launched Ballet Active, a programme of workouts to be enjoyed at home. The first seven days are free, after that it is £9.99 a month. Tamara Rojo takes the professional classes, but there is something for every level, including strengthening and yoga classes to compliment your ballet practices.
Over on Instagram and YouTube, Sarah Du-Feu known as the Ballet Coach, did live streams during the first lockdown, you can find these classes on her youtube channel. She has now released a whole dance programme that you can join for £99 a year.
The English Youth Ballet is also streaming classes via their Instagram page. With classes for 8-12 year olds, pointe and barre work for 12-18 year olds. They are taught by EYB principle dancer, Claire Corruble and Phillip Tunstal. Their website has more information.
Hopefully, this is a little to helping you keep ballet in your life, even in the most challenging of times.
Although, these classes and performances are screened for free, there is a polite ask to donate. Obviously, these are also straightened times for so many of us, but any donation towards these establishments and freelance teachers will be of enormous help for individuals and the arts scene.