My Knee!

Quite a contrast to my last post, where I was in full swing of performances and dancing away. But underneath the smile was my apprehension of my impending surgery and on Monday i under went arthroscopy of my right knee. I questioned whether to even mention it in my CharlieHeart posts, but the more I thought about it the more I realised that probably to some readers it would be interesting. Let's face it, two weeks ago I was more than happily bouncing around (unbeknown to me) on a torn meniscus. Of course I knew it wasn't happy, but not to the extent of already being torn..... I think it will be good for me to have a diary of my knees recovery and the steps to get back on stage as quickly and as healthily as possible!

Ballet may be a beautiful art form but at the end of the day we are athletes and we aren't invincible!

Costume Love!!!

 

A costume can make or break you.  Unflattering cut, ill-fitted, awful colour, restricted movement or just overall - bleuuurghh!!  Thankfully my Cinderella costume was anything but the above..... it was a joy not only to dance this particular part, but to dance in the costume and I kind of enjoyed to feel (if only a little) a tad Lady GaGa!

 

On Sunday we performed Cinderella for the last time this year, thankfully though it will be back in February.  After months of rehearsals, the three shows we did went far to quickly and as I enjoy to dance it, I'll welcome more chances to perform this piece!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

xxx

 

 

 

Cinderella Premiere...

Finally, after months of hard work, last night we premiered our new ballet 'Cinderella'.

I absolutely adore this production...... the choreography, costumes and to boot..... an amazing partner to dance with (big bonus!!!)

There will always be blood, sweat and tears leading up to a world premiere...... and it can be easy to step off the path and lose track, but we have to remember we are all striving for the same thing - an incredible end result and I truly feel that yesterday evening we delivered just that!

Opening night jitters soon evaporated as we danced to a full house...... it's a nerving feeling to imagine that thousands of eyes are watching your every step, but the older (and wiser) I become, I have learnt to just enjoy the moment and feel lucky that I get to do something everyday that I truly love.

As life seems to be on high speed at present, it's hard to post to my blog daily :(  (big sad face)

So, thank goodness for Instagram where it takes two seconds to add my daily photos!

Follow this link to my page :

Being a swan...

Swan Lake is arguably one of the most beautiful ballets to watch...... to dance I find it one of the most taxing.  The famous first entrance for the swans is grand and impressive, but in your pink tights and white tutu you feel vulnerable and only hope that you are creating a 'good' first impression to those who are sat in the audience.  Throughout my career, so far, I have danced four different versions (I can't even hazard a guess to how many performances that would amount to!!!!).  But it is my first which was with English National Ballet that will always be my favourite.

Yesterday we performed our last Swan Lake of the year (it will return in the Spring).  The break will do us all good!!!!

I certainly need a lie down when it's all over!!!

A sneaky look...

Finally next week we will perform our new ballet 'Cinderella'...... As it's a world premiere I don't want to let too much out of the bag, but i couldn't resist in posting a sneak preview of my 'fabulous' pink do!!!

Looks good enough to eat!!!!

 Daily photos are kept up to date on my Instagram page

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Already??!!

Friday we awoke to a little surprise.......snow!!!  Although it wasn't entirely unexpected (we do live in the north!) it did feel a tad to early for such a blanket of the white stuff!!!  So after a mad panic of rummaging through the suitcases full of our winter wear, off we trudged to work wrapped up in our hats, scarves and gloves!

On Thursday we had performed 'Swan Lake' and then Saturday we danced 'Manon' (definitely a favourite ballet of mine!)  I love the costumes and the choreography is fun (always a plus!)

You can read the Synopsis of 'Manon' here.

As life seems to be on high speed at present, it's hard to post to my blog daily :(  (big sad face)

So, thank goodness for Instagram where it takes two seconds to add my daily photos!

Follow this link to my page :)

Love

Charlie

xxx

Manon...

Tonight we danced our first 'Manon' of the season.

A ballet by Kenneth Macmillan set in three acts (photos are taken of act III).

Follow the history and synopsis HERE

I love this ballet and feel honoured to be involved in one of Macmillan's finest works.... 

'a repertory classic'.

I'm looking forward to the Manon's to come!

Love

Charlie

xxx

Instaweek...

My Instagram week :)

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Love Charlie

xxx

just your average joe.....

Where does the time go????  It only feels two minutes ago that I was enjoying the summer and now all of a sudden autumn is here........  I don't want the time to fly, I want to enjoy moments more.... relish in happy spots and not watch it flash before my eyes.......

That is how it feels at the moment, as we jump from one ballet to another, you start to loose yourself as you (the 'normal' average joe).   Skipping from one fairy tale to another (quite literally), all it takes is one insignificant walk to work when the sun is caught in a beautiful line through the trees and you decide to stop and just enjoy something so simple but yet..... breath taking.

.....and then back to earth with a bump and on to stage for 'Coppelia'!

Love Charlie

xxx