We all need a bit of beauty in these difficult times, and the inspiring example of dancers who are continuing to practise their art even in lockdown. And for a literary fix, see how the emotions of great classics like Jane Eyre and The Handmaid's Tale can be expressed through ballet.
Ballet companies from around the world will be offering live performances, classes and glimpses behind the scenes on the #WorldBalletDay site.
The Handmaid's Tale
Lila York choreographed Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Atwood's native Canada. In this video report for CBC News, artistic director André Lewis explains how they were able to adapt the book into dance form.
Jane Eyre
In 2016, British choreographer Cathy Marston created a full length ballet version of Jane Eyre. This short video gives a glimpse of the American premiere production by American Ballet Theater.
And here the different dancers playing Jane describe their process for preparing to play the role.
Copyright(s) :
Devon Teuscher and James Whiteside in "Jane Eyre". Photo by Gene Schiavone.
Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Photo by Lief Norman.
Tag(s) : "ballet" "Charlotte Brontë" "dance" "Jane Eyre" "Margaret Atwood" "November" "The Handmaid's Tale" "World Ballet Day"