Ms. Kaye, as always, your narrative is simply enthralling. I happened to find a Ballet Russes program from 1934 that my Grandmother gave me many years ago. The director was Basil at the time. It presents a fascinating look at dance and costume styles. Thank you for all you do for fans of ballet (and a former dancer.)
Beautifully done, once again! My late husband, the dancer/director/choreographer Gene Kelly adored Kenneth MacMillan's work. Interestingly, MacMillan revealed that he was deeply inspired by Gene. So it is especially interesting to learn this background of one of our greatest choreographers and the intricacies of a ballet that is profoundly moving. Thank you Elizabeth Kaye. Like others, I eagerly await more from you!
Bravo! Beautifully done. I saw this ballet again about 5 years ago with Misty Copeland. Amazing. I so appreciate the history shared with us through this exceptional video.
Elizabeth gives us a a compelling overview of British ballet history, providing a rich context for her description of Kenneth MacMillan’s exquisite “Romeo and Juliet”. Well done Elizabeth and many thanks for your beautiful storytelling!
This heartbreaking story is beautifully shared by Elizabeth Kaye in a way that allows us to travel back to the time of Romeo and Juliet -- we are there as they find joy in each other and the deepest sorrow not long after the joy. Elizabeth's presentation also provides a fascinating glimpse of England's ballet history through two world wars. (I am wiping the tears from my keyboard!)
What an elegant, captivating tale Elizabeth Kaye has told. I don’t know much at all about ballet; only a few names. But the way Ms. Kaye dug into the history, the art form and so many connections was incredibly edifying and compelling. For example, I had no idea about the role such notables as John Maynard Keynes and John Osborne played in the world of ballet. And then, to learn how Romeo & Juliet was performed: fantastic. This is cultural history at its finest.
Elizabeth Kaye, I really appreciated learning about this history. You told this story so eloquently, I hung on to every well-selected word. Thank you for this.
Watching Behind the Ballet with Elizabeth Kaye helped me appreciate more deeply Kenneth MacMillan’s telling of the love story of the ages--Romeo and Juliet. We learn how European history, social change, and the power of one single play (John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger) prompted MacMillan to craft a new kind of realistic and truthful storytelling in ballet that would propel it through the 20th into the 21st centuries. Kaye then examines R&J in detail, and explains the importance of the four pas de deux in telling and framing the story, and the physical and emotional challenges the dancers face in performing them. Moreover, we are privy to Kaye’s profound reflections on the experience of the art form itself, which tells its stories through music, mime, movement, and of course, the endlessly absorbing contemplation of beauty itself.
This is a phenomenal talk...the history of the British ballet is so interesting and...although having seen Romeo and Juliet many, many times...the focus on the four pas de deuxs was an incredible new way of watching the entire ballet...so appreciated...while I loved the Giselle, Swan Lake, Like Water for Chocolate, this talk was truly an amazing experience!
Thank you Debra! It's wonderful to know that the focus on the four pas de deux's has given you a new prism through which you can view this spectacular work!
Ms. Kaye, as always, your narrative is simply enthralling. I happened to find a Ballet Russes program from 1934 that my Grandmother gave me many years ago. The director was Basil at the time. It presents a fascinating look at dance and costume styles.
Thank you for all you do for fans of ballet (and a former dancer.)
Beautifully done, once again! My late husband, the dancer/director/choreographer Gene Kelly adored Kenneth MacMillan's work. Interestingly, MacMillan revealed that he was deeply inspired by Gene. So it is especially interesting to learn this background of one of our greatest choreographers and the intricacies of a ballet that is profoundly moving. Thank you Elizabeth Kaye. Like others, I eagerly await more from you!
Thank you so much. It's not surprising that your husband was so enamored of MacMillan's work: genius appreciates genius!
Bravo! Beautifully done. I saw this ballet again about 5 years ago with Misty Copeland. Amazing. I so appreciate the history shared with us through this exceptional video.
Great story telling! The historical perspective & context of the evolution of ballet as its own art form was wonderfully told! Thank you.
Elizabeth gives us a a compelling overview of British ballet history, providing a rich context for her description of Kenneth MacMillan’s exquisite “Romeo and Juliet”. Well done Elizabeth and many thanks for your beautiful storytelling!
Wonderful series! I learn something from each one and gain insights into ballets I have loved for decades. Thank you so much.
I'm so glad you're enjoying the series...and please stay tuned! There's more to come!
How beautifully explained thank you.
This heartbreaking story is beautifully shared by Elizabeth Kaye in a way that allows us to travel back to the time of Romeo and Juliet -- we are there as they find joy in each other and the deepest sorrow not long after the joy. Elizabeth's presentation also provides a fascinating glimpse of England's ballet history through two world wars. (I am wiping the tears from my keyboard!)
What an elegant, captivating tale Elizabeth Kaye has told. I don’t know much at all about ballet; only a few names. But the way Ms. Kaye dug into the history, the art form and so many connections was incredibly edifying and compelling. For example, I had no idea about the role such notables as John Maynard Keynes and John Osborne played in the world of ballet. And then, to learn how Romeo & Juliet was performed: fantastic. This is cultural history at its finest.
Very interesting to learn the history of ballet in England! Thank you for your efforts. Brava!
Thank you Cathleen! I'm so glad that the history has meaning for you!
I love the script that you express so clearly to illuminate the history. What a gift!
Thank you so much Patty...I truly appreciate your kind words!
Elizabeth Kaye, I really appreciated learning about this history. You told this story so eloquently, I hung on to every well-selected word. Thank you for this.
Thank you! It's so good to know that the history of this beautiful art is resonating for people like you,,
We are going to watch it again on July 21.
And I'm sure you'll be swept away by the beauty of it!
This is fascinating. I look forward to these episodes with Elizabeth Kaye so much.
Hello Susannah. I'm truly delighted that you're enjoying the series!
Watching Behind the Ballet with Elizabeth Kaye helped me appreciate more deeply Kenneth MacMillan’s telling of the love story of the ages--Romeo and Juliet. We learn how European history, social change, and the power of one single play (John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger) prompted MacMillan to craft a new kind of realistic and truthful storytelling in ballet that would propel it through the 20th into the 21st centuries. Kaye then examines R&J in detail, and explains the importance of the four pas de deux in telling and framing the story, and the physical and emotional challenges the dancers face in performing them. Moreover, we are privy to Kaye’s profound reflections on the experience of the art form itself, which tells its stories through music, mime, movement, and of course, the endlessly absorbing contemplation of beauty itself.
This is a phenomenal talk...the history of the British ballet is so interesting and...although having seen Romeo and Juliet many, many times...the focus on the four pas de deuxs was an incredible new way of watching the entire ballet...so appreciated...while I loved the Giselle, Swan Lake, Like Water for Chocolate, this talk was truly an amazing experience!
Thank you Debra! It's wonderful to know that the focus on the four pas de deux's has given you a new prism through which you can view this spectacular work!
Keep up this series!
We will be continuing with the series, and it's great to know you want us to do so!
Love these videos!
Thank you Jessica! I'm so happy that you're enjoying them!
Beautifully presented. Thank you.
And great thanks to you for the lovely comment!
Well done. Thank you. Looking forward to the autumn season. When will it be announced?
Thank you for watching the video! Tickets for the fall season will go on sale on Sept. 6 with an announcement of the programs prior to that.