When my kids were young I piled them into the bus --71 VW I still drive-- and went to a warehouse where we became volunteer assistants to our local community ballet company. We helped build and paint sets in return for comps, and we did good. Our work was acceptable --a great compliment-- and I drank nearly as much beer as the paid craftspersons. The kids loved the show and I was happy with our seats. Unfortunately, our effort and involvement failed to help me with a fundamental dysfunction where dance is involved. I appreciate dancers' grace and agility. I marvel at their beauty and skill. I have no idea what they are trying to express. Although fairly responsive to most art forms I have always had trouble interpreting ballet, then came Youtube.
I have repeatedly combed this medium for some clue, some inroad of understanding, usually without success. Then I found the attached clip. In this evening's endeavor to educate myself I think I've cracked this one. It's about an unwanted half-frisbee child, raised by pirates, who finally gets the right dress and nails the routine. At the end, we see the unsung hero in black trunks who threw her. I'd like to think he got his name on the program, but more likely he was a volunteer assistant.
Two things caught me about this ballet vid that may help you in your attempts at interpretation and understanding: First, the commentary about batteries in the first part of the video is purely metaphoric, Second, in the last third of the video, the dancer's sudden transformation (although she [?] still lacks fully developed breasts) is a metamorphosis, not unlike that of other prepubescent bugs
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Yes, I see it now! Metamorphosis explains how French shipping was crippled by dancing cocoons -also, why silk was a prized cargo. Corsaires were rumored to excrete their own for sails and tutus --on the poop deck. Same root as pupal, pupil --are papal robes silk?
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