Tuesday 25 January 2011

Black Swan



Well I finally got to see 'Black Swan' last night......Hahahahahahahaha, Ohh my sides; nobody told me it was a comedy. Although it has sparked an idea for two new categories in the March Madness Dance Off.

Firstly 'Best Cat Fight With Your Imaginary Alter Ego Whilst Wearing A Tutu'



And the 'Sue Ellen, You're a Drunk, a Tramp and an Unfit Mother' Award.




Oh yes, and Natalie, Alexis Carrington called while you were out and she wants her shoulder pads back.




That's all Chaps; Carry On!


Ballet Bitch xx






  

Sunday 23 January 2011

Let The Madness Begin!

A big thank you for all your fabulous suggestions, but please keep them rolling in.This is all starting to get completely out of hand and I LOVE IT!






















At the moment there is everything from serious 'Dance Documentaries' (Amargosa and Patricia Foy's 'Rudolf Nureyev') to The Two Ronnies 'Ballroom Formation' sketch; follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3MzFHWOntI

I've also received suggestions for:

'Music Videos' ; Kate Bush has been a popular choice; go on have a look at 'Wuthering Heights' on youtube, I guarantee it will make you smile.

'Dancer in a non-dancer role'; Alexander Godunov in 'Die Hard', 'Witness' and 'The Money Pit', Mikhail Baryshnikov in 'Sex and the City', Rudolf Nureyev in 'Valentino' (although he does dance a few tangos), Moira Shearer in 'Peeping Tom' and of course our very own Chris Gable in numerous productions.

Godunuv in 'Die Hard'
SJP and Misha in SATC
Carl Boehm and Moira Shearer in 'Peeping Tom

And perhaps my favourite suggestion:

'Could I have the bit in Oliver when he sings "Who will buy this wonderful morning..." and the whole street goes leg kicking crazy and shake market garden items at people in posh doorways and windows. Twistingtastic! It's how I would like to start my day everyday apart from Sundays(need a lye in after at that exertion).'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4gzmoUHrQ4

Thank you the lovely Andrew Warburton, you always make me smile!




Anyway I will leave you with the late, great Christopher Gable a strong contender in the 'Guest Appearance on a TV Show by a Classically Trained Dancer' category. No Angela Rippon that doesn't include you.







Ballet Bitch xx


  

Thursday 20 January 2011

For Your Consideration

And we're off.....

I have received the first film nomination for the March Madness Dance Off; thank you Jan; an excellent choice and surely a very strong contender in the '80's Leotard and Legwarmer' category.

Adrian Lyne's 1983 film was a tale of Alex Owens; welder by day, dancer by night; who possessed the unique talent of being able to remove her own bra, whilst staying fully clothed. She was quite a Gal!




No I haven't come to mend the boiler; I'm a Prima Ballerina, just like you!
(Although I'm not sure if you are a top Prima, as you appear to be wearing both legwarmers)






Are you sure about that Luv, it's just that you're preparing to turn a pirouette with a can of lager in your hand.




Anyway, to whet your appetite, here's are very own Mr Robert Webb with his interpretation of that classic dance number: 'What a Feeling'. Enjoy!










Ballet Bitch xx


  

Monday 17 January 2011

Introducing The March Madness 'Dance Off'!

The press has worked itself into a frenzy over the last couple of weeks about all things ballet related in the run up to the UK release of Black Swan. The usual clichés have been regurgitated (yes that is my Bulimia joke) in various articles about eating disorders, physically punishing regimes and fanatical discipline.
Well (Shock, Horror) it's pretty impossible to turn 32 Fouettes en Pointe, if you are not in peak physical condition.




Anyway, this had lead to many discussions between myself and Dr Kate Twinkletoes (my former Partner in Crime at the Ballet Barre and now an esteemed clinician in San Francisco) about the various Dance Films we have seen over the years and their various attributes. The biggest problem with this genre of film is that dancers aren't necessarily that convincing at delivering lines of dialogue, whereas actors (even in close up) are never believable as classically trained dancers. It is quite a conundrum.

At the suggestion of Dr Twinkletoes I will be launching The March Madness 'Dance Off' Awards; all throughout March you will be able to vote for your favourite Dance Films in a variety of categories. If you have any suggestions about films you'd like to be included or any ideas about categories, I'd love to hear from you and I'll do my best to accommodate them.




It's alright Moira, don't sweat it, you've got a few weeks to make up your mind!


Ballet Bitch xx
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Location:Every Ballet Barre on the planet