It's the end of an era. This week, Darcey Bussell hangs up her pointe shoes for good. One of the THE ballerina's of her age, she's done what Tony Blair should have gone ages ago and retired at the top of her game with the public wanting more. A mother of 2 and now ages 38, it's unsurprising that she's calling it a day even though, by all accounts, she is at the peak of her powers and dancing supremely well.
This somehow misses the point. Ballet is all about the art of the impossible. It's about defying gravity (in most cases) and about making the most strenuous, difficult movements look impossibly easy and graceful. But the effort that goes into this feat of deception that is a performance is enormous. I gave up at the age of about 14 even though I still love watching it - and even though I am growing middle aged and binty, if there was a ballet class for binties like me nearby I would definitely join. I cannot imagine what it must take to carry on doing this torture until you are nearly 40. And I think that our Darcey's longevity probably has had a lot to do with the improvements in sports science and the care of the body - and the dancing public owes them a huge debt of gratitude.
I hope that Ms Bussell enjoys a happy life post ballet. She's given countless people a lot of pleasure and probably inspired a whole generation of girls to give it a go. I'll be watching her farewell performances this week, just wanting to see her defy gravity and her ageing body once more.
Thanks, Darcey and have a great life.
4 comments:
One of my things to do before I die is to see Swan Lake.
I'd like to say that Darcey is the reason for this, but she's not... The film, Billy Elliot is!
The bit right at the end.... Jaysus, cried like a bitch!
It is an amazing ballet and worth going to see a good production. I haven't seen it for years, but will keep my eyes peeled for a good one.
And the end of Billy Elliot is wonderful too...
Ohmygod!!!! I have missed about four posts so now you're going to get the comment digest.
Menopause - loads of ppl say they look forward to the periods ending. Not me. I'm dreading it. I can't imagine what it's going to be like to not have that cycle, the release of menstruation.
Mummies - It's wonderful that you have such a good one. I did type had but then amended it. It's tough losing a mum even if she's like ATM, I know Sleepy will still miss her.
Muffs - quite right! Now THAT is body Nazism. I'm thinking maybe the old guard are hoping some of us younger feminists will bang the drum.
Darcey - remember she was on French and Saunders once. She has a rocking name. 'Part from that. Whatever.
I gave up ballet when I was about seven and was seriously miffed when the following term my friends who stuck with it were promoted from horrid white tunic things to pretty tutus. I came so close!
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