A Night at the Ballet

My husband and I took a romantic road trip down to Wellington a few weeks ago.  I'd only been there once before and had fallen in love with the vibrant city, beautiful old buildings, and artsy atmosphere.  Upon arrival we found out that the Royal New Zealand Ballet was currently on tour and would be performing in Wellington the next night.  Having never been a ballerina but nevertheless could appreciate this demanding style of dance, I begged Presley to go.  Surprisingly it didnt take much to convince him! 

'Tutus on Tour' has been divided into a North Island team and a South Island team.  We attended the first show of the South team and they were magnificent.  The ballet began with all of the dancers dressed traditionally in white performing Verdi Variations.  The women wore exquisite costumes with stiff tutus and sparkling tiaras that almost made the little girl inside me wish I was the princess in Swan Lake...almost.  The men were extremely agile on their feet for the types of bodies that they had - surely it is difficult for a man to jump high in the air, do a pirouette, and land as light as a feather?!  And these are men who could just as easily lift the ballerinas again and again when required!  Verdi Variations lasted for 30 minutes and then the real show Pinnochio began. 

And what a show it was: amazing costumes, props, lighting, and dancing swirled together in a 60-minute showcase of ballet that superseded any language or cultural barriers.  I particularly liked the dancers who portrayed Columbina and Cat.  If you get the chance to catch a performance by 'Tutus on Tour' they come highly recommended as a great night that can be enjoyed by women AND men alike!