Darcey Bussell says men are taking over ballet - thanks to Billy Elliot and Strictly
“The moment I saw footballers and cricketers ballroom- dancing, I thought, ‘This is going to change everything!’”
Programmes like Strictly Come Dancing have also helped, Bussell explains proudly. “The moment I saw footballers and cricketers ballroom- dancing, I thought, ‘This is going to change everything!’”
But while there may now be equality on the stage and in the ballet studio, there’s no chance of the men completely outshining the women. “Even Matthew Bourne admits he wouldn’t do without women at all,” Bussell smiles. “Ballet dancers are at their best when they find their perfect partner, someone they work with as one. People often say that you have to, in a way, fall in love with that person but if anything, I think not. When there’s a bit of tension between you it’s more exciting, because you’re sort of playing with each other.”
Prima ballerina Natalia Osipova of the Royal Ballet and leading male dancer Sergei Polunin were in the news recently, having confirmed their off-screen relationship, and claiming that “big theatres” were keeping them apart and did not want them dancing together. But surely chemistry off-screen can only enhance a performance?
“Well, that’s really interesting, because it does get a little comfortable. It takes away from the edge. It’s like if you over-rehearse. You want it to look like it’s the first time you’ve ever done it, every evening!
“It’s like that wonderful relationship between Margot Fonteyn and Nureyev before they were having an affair. An audience wants to believe in the fairy tale on the stage but in reality it’s very different. There’s really nothing romantic about being covered in someone else’s sweat!”
What’s certain is that ballet is changing. Little girls also now dream of playing football and fighting fires and little boys can now dance the lead in Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. And just in time, as far as Bussell is concerned.
“I was worried that the popularity of ballet would fall away, but not now. The dance world is evolving – we’re happy to watch a male dancer, not just as this powerhouse with tricks, but as a man with emotions, passions and vulnerabilities. And it’s absolutely beautiful.”
Darcey's Ballet Heroes is on BBC2 at 8:50pm on Christmas Day
