It is no secret that I love ballet and dance. Like many children, my first introduction to seeing dance on stage was The Nutcracker or Casse-Noisette. I think I was about four years old, and apparently I sat spell bound throughout. We sat in the front stalls, and I can still vaguely remember sitting and staring up at the stage. A couple of years later, we went to see it again, and I wrote in my school notebook ‘on Saturday I went to see Casse-Noisette. I have already seen this ballet before but I still enjoyed it.’ I was six year old and while I couldn’t spell that well, I could spell the name of the ballet, in French. And there starts my life long interest in dance.
This year is the 70th anniversary of the founding of The Royal New Zealand Ballet, and next month they are presenting a gala performance, Platinum, in celebration of the event. The tickets have arrived, and I am looking forward to the evening which should be interesting and fun.
I happened to walk past Unity Books today, and saw that there was an author talk with the former artistic director of The Australian Ballet and interim Artistic Director of The Royal New Zealand Ballet, David McAllister, about his new book Ballet Confidential: A personal behind-the-scenes guide. The conversation, with New Zealand dance teacher and writer, Jennifer Shennan, ranged widely from his career, to different dance companies and, of course, dance in Australia and New Zealand.
The book is designed to demystify ballet, and, as the blurb on the back says it details ‘everything you have ever wanted to know about ballet but were too afraid to ask’, and is an irreverent look at the life of a ballet company and its dancers. The conversation was a real delight, and the hour passed too quickly. I of course had to buy a copy and get it signed, and now look forward to reading it.
Footnote: yes I did go to ballet classes as a child, and in fact until I was 17.
Also entered in Wednesday’s words and pictures hosted by Denyse.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com or lofgren@thistlesandkiwis.com
Thistles and Kiwis 
How wonderful Barbara!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was such fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful to go to the author talk and get a signed copy of the book. Also, I am very impressed with your writing when you were six.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was a very messy and untidy writer, but wrote a lot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you were pretty darned good!
LikeLike
I could fill whole notebooks with endless scribblings! My favourite that I found was about a unicorn called Unicornap and his friend, Mary Mouse.
LikeLiked by 2 people
that book cover! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our granddaughter has just started attending monthly classes with Scottish Ballet and it is a joy to watch her dance, but ballet has a poor record of forcing young girls to fit the required stereotypes so I hope that she only dances for as long as she enjoys it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Modern teaching is quite different to that back in the day. Much more coaching on things like mental wellbeing and nutrition.
LikeLike
It must have been wonderful to listen to the interview about a book on Ballet, no doubt you will enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was lovely – the interviewer was so knowledgable so it made for a really interesting hour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Barbara – That sounds like a great talk and a wonderful book. How awesome to have it handsigned by the author!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds like a wonderful evening for you. Enjoy the book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How marvellous that was and it was great getting to know more about you too. Enjoy your new book!! I always appreciate your linking up to #WWandPics this week and thanks for sharing your post. I hope to see you next Wednesday too. Warm wishes, Denyse.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Denyse!
LikeLiked by 1 person