The lists are endless, deadlines loom, and I am getting two hours less sleep daily thanks to my youngest’s new early morning rowing team regimen. If you spot a hooded, uncombed creature squinting at you on the road, it’s me, the 5 am chauffeur, and yes, I am contemplating Red Bull.
Collapse is not possible. But a good prescription for escape is an outing to the ballet. So a quick check on casting for the National Ballet’s Giselle this week through Sunday in Toronto was done. Two of Canada’s finest artists, Guillaume Côté and Greta Hodgkinson, were starring on opening night, and Christmas lists can wait another day.
Greta as the innocent peasant in the first act, was pleasant enough. But the second act of Giselle packs more punch when the ethereal Wilis take over: female spirits who have been jilted before their wedding day and rise from their graves at night. Under the moonlight, they seek men for revenge, forcing them to dance to their deaths. Think Dancing with the Stars without makeup and silicone. It is here that the wondrous Ms. Hodgkinson demonstrates mastery in every nuance. She has over 20 years on stage and is simply a wizard. Now 38, Ms. Hodgkinson is a mother of a young son. If this is what motherhood does to a dancer, then ye waifs in your tutus, go forth and multiply.
As for her partner, I will admit my bias before another word: I am a fan of Guillaume Côté. I have to share him with all the best ballet companies in the world, for they have asked him to be a guest artist at one time or another. He is the best male dancer I have seen in the three decades I have attended the ballet. Daring and charismatic in one moment, soulful in another…I have yet to see him repeat himself. A one-time holiday tradition in our household was the December outing to The Nutcracker. Our daughter danced in the production as one of the many students used for various scenes involving children, so we had extra incentive to attend. I first discovered this talented young man from Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, in those years. I saw every soloist dance the part of the Nutcracker Prince. Not one had the power or panache of Côte. He is also a talented musician and composer, and that sense of musical timing is evident as he interprets the musical scores of each ballet.
This fall, Côte was featured in a short film shown at TIFF. I offer it here as your Thursday treat because Santa doesn’t come for another 19 days. Enjoy!
