As a child, ballet was one of my greatest joys. I learned ballet as a child then gained my teacher qualification. I taught, and even ran my own ballet school ten years. I would never have made it as a ballerina but I was a good teacher and I loved sharing the love of ballet and dance with my students.
For years, I held a season ticket to The Australian Ballet and made regular visits to the Sydney Opera House—my heart filled with joy and amazement at every performance. But, as life often does, the busyness took over, and ballet slowly slipped from my everyday world.
That changed last weekend.
During a run, a friend mentioned she’d seen Swan Lake at QPAC, performed by the contemporary French company Ballet Preljocaj. It was only on for a short season, but QPAC were generously streaming it for free. So on Sunday afternoon, I found myself at the ballet once again—this time, from the comfort of my living room.
Digital Stage is a fantastic initiative of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre where you can watch performances online. It offers a mix of free, paid and exclusive on-demand content, providing a platform for a diversity of Queensland-grown performances from around the state.
Swan Lake has always been my favourite ballet. And Tchaikovsky’s music? So emotive and powerful. I’ll admit, I was sceptical about a modern interpretation—I adore the classic version. But Ballet Preljocaj’s take was powerful, emotive, and beautifully danced. I was completely captivated and surprisingly my husband was too (he is not a ballet fan).
Watching the ballet had me yearning for dance again and who knows I might even join a ballet class with the Queensland Ballet who has classes for adults.
Here is a short promotional video of the Preljocaj production to give you a taste. Unfortunately, their season at QPAC was short but I’ve been told they are now off to Italy and France to tour, so perhaps that’s a good excuse to pack your bags and go!
The classical version – Act II pas de deux
It reminded me how important it is to hold onto the passions of our youth. They shape who we are and spark something deep within us. We may leave them behind for a while, but they’re always waiting to be rediscovered—ready to bring us joy once again.
Have you revisited a childhood passion lately?
I’m helping Min from Write of the Middle out this week and next week, co-hosting Wednesday Words & Whimsy with my good friend Debbie from Deb’s World. Min is recovering from eye surgery so our best wishes and healing thoughts are heading her way.
18 Comments
What a beautiful post, Sue. love the idea that our childhood passions are never really lost—just tucked away, waiting for the right moment to return. <3
I love that, Donna ‘just tucked away for the right moment’ xx
Oh this is just lovely Sue and a great message to us all to hold onto our passions. Thanks for co-hosting Min’s #WWWhimsy, it’s always good to share with you. x
Thanks, Deb, I really enjoyed the ballet and one of my SHW clients who is in her 70s started ballet classes last year. No excuse for me then xx
Ballet is something I don’t get at all. I do go from time to time as a ‘stretch’ but it has to be a story I like (to justify the cost). I did enjoy Don Quixote. It takes me a while to adjust to the no speech…ha! It is very funny watching something you have no measure of – are they good? Are they bad? No clue – they’re all better than me….;)
Hi Lydia, my friend who went with her friends to see this performance at QPAC said that it was a great performance to introduce the art to those who aren’t into ballet. She loved it and has never been a ballet fan. Mike enjoyed it too. X
Sue, I had no idea you ran a ballet school! I always wanted to be a ballerina…what little girl doesn’t? I love just watching the sheer art of the dance. I hope you do take a ballet class…I’m sure your muscles will remember many of the moves.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I keep surprising you, Marsha. I had a ballet school from age 14 whilst I was still at school. X
I just loved reading this and hope you do get to take those classes. Prue Batten, someone I have met via Substack, enjoys ballet. For me, I have not been a fan but had a friend who went very well indeed. I LOVE the idea of you going back to your childhood love. So good!
Thanks for the link up too.
Denyse x
I’m a traditionalist when it comes to ballet, Denyse, it this performance changed my point of view x
What a lovely post, Sue. I hope you give that ballet class a try. Cycling is one of my childhood passions and I’m happy to do it on a regular basis now. #TeamWWhimsy
I never had a bike, Natalie but would love to learn. X
This is a great sentiment sue. I do hope to hear that you have given the ballet class a go. Cycling is my childhood passion and I’m so grateful that I can still do it. When my daughter was a teenager we went to the ballet occasionally. She loved it and we would have gone more often except that we needed to go to Melbourne
Thanks, Jen. I must try to get to a ballet class. I never had a bike but would love to learn.
Such a lovely reminder, Sue! Revisiting the passions from our youth can spark such joy. I remember when my grandma started dancing as a 75 year old. After my grandpa died, she’d dress up twice a week and go dancing with her friends… well into her 90’s! She was a great role model for me!
[…] at Living Well After 50 revisits a childhood […]
Wow! It must have been such an emotional return! Swan Lake to boot!
Thank you for sharing your time as a ballet student & teacher. You really have such an interesting journey!
I’ve never stopped loving watching dance as you know! Sounds like a great performance,