In honour of J's daughter turning 16 last month, we decided to treat her to a trip to the ballet - not just any ballet but the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden - as she has danced for years (and years) but has never been to see the 'real thing'.
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So Friday night we got ourselves a little glammed up to see the final performance of the triple bill, Jewels. Notwithstanding the climbing of the 193 steps at Covent Garden tube station (rather than waiting with the hordes for the lift) - a feat I am not at all keen to repeat - A & I had time to start the evening with a 'drink at the bar' of a rather lovely restaurant in Floral St, with A enjoying a foamy cafe latte and me, a well-deserved (or so I thought) G&T.
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J joined us then for a back stage tour before the performance - A's cousin/J's nephew is a First Artist with the Royal Ballet so he (L) walked us past rehearsal studios, break out areas, opera sets and a rack of tutus so unbelievably tiny before leading us onto the stage...
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...YES THE STAGE.
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Looking out into the empty auditorium was an amazing feeling and despite the fact none of we numpties thought to take a picture, the experience of it will stay with me for a long time to come.
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Anyway, on with the show...in three distinct parts: Emeralds, a traditional take on English ballet, Rubies, a contemporary piece showing the impact of the arrival of the New York Ballet style (mine & J's personal fave) and then Diamonds, a beautiful, elegant ending incorporating the style of the Russian ballet (the one L appeared in and A's fave). A quick supper afterwards and we were on the second to last tube home - quite a successful night all round.
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I just have this to say...
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...I stood on the empty stage at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden...
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It's the stuff dreams are made of!
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