By Marisa Hayes Balletomanes often complain that Paris is lacking in classical ballet performances. And while it may seem paradoxical for a city so fundamental to the history of ballet, the French capital abounds with contemporary dance. Even the Paris Opera Ballet has increasingly expanded into postmodern, contemporary, and dance theatre productions, leaving a meagre
By Marisa C. Hayes As theatres across France kicked off the new season at full audience capacity, I found myself wondering how our experience of the Coronavirus pandemic informs the way we appreciate dance. Are we viewing performances through a pandemic gaze? Just as individuals living under lockdown often took time to reassess their lives,
By Marisa C. Hayes Seven months ago, when “socially distanced pas de deux” had not yet entered the balletomane’s vocabulary, the Paris Opera Ballet was just beginning to emerge from an unprecedented strike. Within weeks, the company’s two opera houses, as well as all theatres across France, were forced to close in response to the