Best of You: Part Deux

In addition to boosting their presence on social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, leading ballet companies have also taken to blogging regularly. Company blogs have radically changed the face of communication within the arts sector. Before them organisations were more dependent on regular media/art pages to pick up on their stories but now they publish their own content, sharing news and features directly with audiences and developing their own “internet voices”. Hoping to recruit new ballet goers and engage the public, official company blogs focus on what happens behind ballet curtains. Some also leverage off their insider knowledge to ...

The Tokyo Ballet In Rehearsal

The Tokyo Ballet is one of the largest troupes in Ballet-loving Japan. The company is renowned for its association with Béjart; 18 of his ballets – including original pieces – are currently in repertory. They also boast impressive guests; Sylvie Guillem and Manuel Legris are regulars and, earlier this year, Polina Semionova and Marcelo Gomes  – a match made in ballet heaven – appeared in their production of Ashton’s Sylvia. During our stay in Japan we were invited to attend rehearsals for some of the Béjart works scheduled to be performed in The Tokyo Ballet’s upcoming European tour. In ...