Test Drive Guide to the Ballet
A night at the ballet is a spectacular display of dance, music, costumes, story and design.
We are all familiar with images of graceful and delicate ballet dancers. What we sometimes don't appreciate is the athleticism, strength and power required to perform a ballet. And watching it up close is something to behold.
How to understand what's going on
People appreciate ballet in the same way as they do opera, music or a play. The theme or story will unfold through the performance. Even when there is no story, all you need to do is appreciate the shapes, patterns and skills of the dancers.
However, the performance is generally more enjoyable if you do some pre-show preparation by reading the storyline. These are available on The Australian Ballet website. And of course, you can always Google. If you don't get the chance to do some reading before the show, a copy of the storyline is usually given out as you take your seats. You can also purchase a program at the theatre. The programs are a wonderful souvenir and contain a plot outline, dancer, composer and choreographer profiles, and information about the music and lots of beautiful images.
What's the difference between a full-length ballet and a mixed repertoire?
A full-length ballet tells one story and a ballet like the Nutcracker is a good example. A mixed program comprises three or four short, often unrelated, works such as the Firebird program being offered by the Australian Ballet for Test Drive.