I think I'm a pleb!!!
I went to the ballet last night for the first time (having managed 40 odd years without ever going before). I was with some good friends, in a box in a theatre with a good reputation. We went for tea before the performance and a foreward thinking member of the group even brought along cinder toffee and jelly babies to keep us going.
The ballet was Swan Lake - I knew the music well having worn out my parents LP of the same as a young girl - often offering my version of the choreography as I attempted my aspirational career as a prima -ballerina.
All was in place for a thoroughly good time........ but I HATED it!!!
I am so disappointed with myself - I expected to be transposed to a magical land full of high emotion and ethereal whatnots. Instead all I could think was that there was too much dancing!!
This by no means is a slight on the costumes and sets - absolutely stunning, the skill and expertise of each of the dancers - their mixture of strength and grace a marvel, or indeed the company of the evening. But each of these things retained individuality for me - I couldn't help thinking that the story was laboured and that there was perhaps a modicum of self indulgence.
Am I am complete philistine with no hope of cultural redemption?
(PS I don't like opera either!!!!)
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Next time we'll take you to bingo... (not that there's anything wrong with bingo..)