Darcey Bussell: A Ballerina's Life | British Prima Ballerina lifts the curtain on the ballet world

[@lindahb6181]

Lost for words🤍34 minutes into this film is the most exquisite piece of dancing I’ve ever seen. Is it ‘Manon’? Utterly breathtaking

[@eurekamreum5458]

39:35 it's the bedroom PDD from the first act of Manon

[@l.alexandra5871]

This is Nikya from La Bayadère at 35 is Manon

[@erpollock]

Darcey was everything they said. Beautiful line, extensions to the sky, a lovely face and skin, and sincerity of emotion.

[@charm-eo3kx]

What a beautiful person inside and out. I'm not British but have British heritage and have such an affection for Darcey. She's one of the greatest. A National Treasure! ❤❤

[@linvisible7782]

I know nothing about ballet but she is mind blowing

[@juliegill6278]

I had the EXTREME GOOD FORTUNE to meet Darcey Bussell years ago when she came up to Glasgow in order to promote her book and be interviewed at the Mitchell Theatre. I HAVE to say that she IS ONE of THE LOVELIEST people you could EVER meet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It REALLY PLEASES me when I think of JUST HOW MUCH the amount of success Darcey has RIGHTLY enjoyed throughout her life and her career WILL EAT AWAY at those TOTALLY DESPICABLE AND REVOLTING SPECS of humanity that made her life HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She who laughs last, laughs longest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pedrogarciarias129]

Beautiful expression, full of a pure soul and inner light. Great performances too. A wonderful artist and unforgettable ballerina. Long life for her ART. Brava.

[@npats550]

I am lucky enough to have seen several performances in Covent Garden and it was towards the last few years of her career but she stood out so much from the others on stage. It's the experience you cant really explain...the x factor (the phrase, not the singing show!)

[@eurekamreum5458]

Yes, there's people who just have "it", that star quality, and Darcey was definitely one of them. A marvelous artirst and performer.

[@delph2000]

Same here - she had incredible stage presence, as though she was lit up from inside. You couldn’t take your eyes off her.

[@jimbo91262]

Gorgeous movement. So glad she picked to dance in life. What a fabulous dancer.

[@dragonclaws9367]

She emotes so well. Mischief. Fun. A human. I love her because she makes me smile watching her.

[@siimplycoxo1946]

Her voice is so calming

[@kathycho9748]

She is one of the finest dancers I have seen!

[@DGsa1661]

She is utterly delightful. I love her laugh 😅

[@l.alexandra5871]

Her performance is Sylvia was beyond magnificent- she owns that role.

[@jenniferholzapfel8089]

One of the most beautiful ballerinas of all time....

[@ronelllambert5394]

Not just British Prima Ballerina…… World Class!

[@l.alexandra5871]

Prima Ballerina Assoluta!!! Like Fonteyn, like Alicia Markova

[@rosetodd9560]

​@l.alexandra5871 16 4:00

[@user-bh4vp7bv5y]

I know nothing about ballet, but she is the best ballet dancer I have ever seen

[@Kimberlytheresam]

She has a great presence on stage she has a beautiful face with expression. Also a wonderful dancer.

[@daphnethurlow5388]

Darcey is a beautiful lady..and the finest ballerina this country produced..She and Igor were great as partners.

[@ronelllambert5394]

That last ballet is exquisite!!!!!!

[@sandywright1779]

Beautiful..Ex gymnast.Dancer..Wonderful docu Thank you❤😂

[@nicolahodges8547]

The dance at the end is just wonderful

[@l.alexandra5871]

Monica Mason is a force of nature as Director and such a lovely dancer in the 1960s

[@pedrogarciarias129]

Darcey/ Kitri is flying in her last prayer before her death, she is the music, without affectation, she is dancing very sincerely, her exquisite profile and smile are making an astonishingly eros and thanatos scene. Bravo.

[@molkoette4449]

I saw D'Arcy Bussell...in Cinderella....outstanding dancer...

[@l.alexandra5871]

Darcy is the epitome of a great, unsurpassable British Prima Ballerina To me she is the Ballerina to whom the torch was passed by Margot Fonteyn.😊

[@me67226]

Loved margot Fontaine

[@clairedionne559]

Darcey has such a beautiful smile; and what a personality! She looks like she wants to know everybody on a personal basis and be accepted as herself by all. It may not be in real life for her, but she really does look like she has that need. And it does appear genuine to me, despite the traditional demands of her position.

[@Dane_Youssef]

I understand she is considered one of the finest danseuses ever to come out of Great Britain. I first remember hearing about her when I read The Young Dancer--an instructional children's book on the fundamentals of ballet itself, the history of The Royal Ballet--and what ballet was like for her personally. Fonteyn was said "the best of Britain" as the saying goes. But... there are those who are saying Dame Darcey Bussell went further.

[@catara.]

I have the same book 😊, but I've got it as a teenager long after Darcey was already my favourite dancer. First time I saw her was on some art program in the nineties, I love her since. My professors trough high school wasn't too happy that my role model is RAD dancer (I am vaganova dancer) but it was never about technique, it was about her. She radiates some special energy and happiness, she's like a goddess💗

[@sandywright1779]

EXCELLENT CLIP DARCY with DAWN FRENCH just too say THANK YOU🎉 Made us laugh my friend is tall and i am the little one. 🎉

[@sashahera5679]

I love her musicality ❤❤❤

[@erpollock]

Notice how off stage, Darcey immediately places her hands on her waist, never dropping her arms - this is to prevent crushing the shape of the skirt, which must remain like a bell. All ballerinas offstage stand with hands on or above waist for that reason, to protect the height of the tutu.

[@hellohvj]

That lift at 37:22 😭 Flawless

[@22marketst]

Some exquisite performances and then 'there' was my 'favourite' ballerina first seen in childhood pics in B&W - Svetlana Beriosova

[@casteretpollux]

Isn't it amazing how much we could glean from a still photograph about an individual dancer or choreographer ?

[@22marketst]

@@casteretpollux The whole 'area' of ballet photography should I think be considered in its own right. Because I lived in provincial NZ as a child and professional live ballet performances were not something I saw - except occasionally on film - ballet literally was located mainly 'in' photography for me and I had numerous books on the subject. There were so many wonderful publications from around the mid 20th century - and a huge market for them at the time. Photographers like Cecil Beaton and many others were my favourites . I still have a large collection of many wonderful ballet books.

[@killa46464]

I loved watching this film on such a divine person and creative performing artist 🥰👌👏👏👏

[@frenesimyers1895]

My Daughters Ballet Teacher in SFB was very fierce. She was from Spain, and would think nothing of poking you in the Back with her knuckles or pulling hair if you did something wrong. This was in the late 1990's. Many time my Daughter was dancing with bloody feet, and something to deaden the pain. So depending on your school, it still happens with some teachers. But in my Daughters case, she turned out a beautiful Dancer, on full Scholarships where ever she went for Summer or a SFB itself.

[@l.alexandra5871]

It’s that Ulanova near the end? Svetlana Beriosava was amazing - overshadowed by Fonteyn’s fame.

[@giuliorenzobighin8165]

Anche attorialita ' e tenerezza nel balletto finale molto efficace per la spontaneità comunicante le emozioni.Superlativi.Bighin Giulio Renzo. 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@marquesgeereart7567]

WONDERFUL DARCEY!!!

[@fabiesque]

Dowell is the greatest of all. So cultured. So elegant. So accurate. I love how he goes to Igor and with his hands pushes Igor's lips into a smile! ahahahhaha (absolutely right..Igor was a fantastic dancer...but as many Russians do unfortunately he could not smile)

[@diddums86]

Vadim Muntagirov smiles?

[@Glafira406]

не умел улыбаться? Вы это серьёзно?

[@dianecagnole9158]

Absolutely loved it! From one Brit to another. Well done.. Absolutely luvley…. 😘😘

[@noblesetsentimentales]

Lovely tribute to Svetlana Beriosova. I wish there were more and better-quality videos of her dancing. And I wonder what Donald MacLeary would say of the Royal Ballet's current Swan Lake production. I don't think he would be very happy to see that they got rid of much of Ivanov's choreography and mime.

[@chocolatesouljah]

At 6:14 when Ms. Bussell states "That lovely (kinda) Margot Fonteyn Princess Effect," she seems to channel Ms. Fontyen's radiance in the accompanying footage.

[@jenihansen7201]

I love Ballet and watching it also.

[@cleomariabarbosalimaschwab8520]

Marvelous!

[@molkoette4449]

The 'slide'..during Manon....rather super.

[@theresa42213]

She's got to be one of the most ...PRETTIEST little dancer l ever did see! Just a delightful face!

[@giorgiovolli7499]

There is only one Darcey Bussell. His talent is immeasurable.

[@micheledix2616]

Such an interesting documentary

[@elizzy8754]

Agree: great insights from Bussell, Dowell, MacLeary and Mason.

[@suebyrom2757]

It would be helpful to know who the other contributors are.

[@kathymyers7279]

So enjoyed this!

[@siimplycoxo1946]

I’m getting my pointe shoes next year in 2023 and it’s 2022 and I’m getting them at 13 and I’m 11 turning 12 in September

[@micheladessanti2112]

Fantastica!!!!

[@erpollock]

Note her lovely slim line. Her grace. I watched girls in the Pacific Dance School vying for a place in the San Francisco Ballet school, not the company, but the school. The best dancer with the loveliest form, slim and graceful - did not equal or come near Darcey's beauty. Darcey is the template for all others. There are no others.

[@kristio294]

Of course they’re not equal.🙄 they were teenagers.

[@yogicfly4bliss]

Beautiful!!

[@karenlindley.9756]

Think every little ballet girl always wanted to grow up and dance Swan Lake. I know I did.

[@l.alexandra5871]

Darcy was the greatest English Ballerina since the days when Dame Ninette had a stable of stunning dancers. The Royal Ballet suffers a bit in my opinion because it has too many dancers, especially principals, who were trained elsewhere like in South America or the US. Outside of Russia today the most exquisite ballerinas generally are the Paris Opera Ballet dancers. They were greatly influenced by Nureyev when he was summarily dismissed from the RB because he did not know when to stop dancing. I think Darcey is nothing like American dancers…I trained in America and was accepted to,the Royal Ballet School as a senior at sixteen. The calibre of dancing across the board was better and ballet was not a hobby: it was a place to really work. That British discipline amongst the students was extraordinary. The classes were filled with highly talented and hardworking dancers who were all trained with a cohesive method. The RBS doesn’t quite have the reputation it used to have and many of its graduates go to companies around Europe that are considered more regional than world class. Darcey…like Fonteyn and Beriosiva…and Silvie Guilliam and Natalia Osipova (who was phenomenal,and should think of retiring as her body has not kept up as well. And Other magnificent dancers who I am too tired to remember were just forces of nature. Darcey also had a stunning body for ballet despite her height. She had a sensational turnout and beautiful feet. The English style is first and foremost musicality and elegance of line. That’s what it has in common with the French. But it has also pushed its technicals although not to the abandon as the Russians. It’s sad that the Russians treated her so,badly. I was treated terribly when I was at the Royal Ballet school as the only non British or non Commonwealth dancer. The company was a bit better. I was shocked to hear that today there is that lack of deference in the classroom whereby the principals are always yielded to by the soloists and the soloists by the corps. The principals had their spots at the barre and you never dared to take a spot until all the rest were filled in. And it’s true you didn’t talk to the stars. Darcey Bussel was one of the few who truly deserved the appellation as Prima Ballerina Assoluta. Great documentary

[@salomonbenavides529]

6

[@clairedionne559]

Great comment! I much appreciated it. Thank you!

[@fairlyvague82]

It’s SO frustrating that they don’t tell us who all these people contributing are! I only know Jennifer Saunders and she’s got nothing to do with it. I’d really appreciate if anyone knows who all these people are, would they please comment with names and time stamps? TIA 😊

[@janetathanasopoulou2002]

If you see this fairlyvague, I completely agree with you. Not a very informative documentary at all. Wasn't there someone who pointed this out before it was aired???

[@susannevollmer2347]

In the ballets "Bajadere" and Manon Lescout" is her partner Igor Zelensky, a dansoer noble from the Mariinsky Theatre. 17.08 in the training room speaks Kenneth McMillan the great choreographer. The dressed gentleman with dark hair is Anthony Dowell former principal dancer and artistic director in the ROB, the gentleman with white hair is Donald MsLeary former Principal.

[@mariemorgan7759]

Fantastic vintage ballet dancers. I prefer the lavish, beautiful costumes and elaborate sets of the past. " The Red Shoes" is one of my favorite Film Noir. Thank you for the uploads💕🙏

[@01doha]

I wonder where the dancers who laughed at Darcy bussell are today 😜

[@l.alexandra5871]

Who in the world ever laughed at her ??

[@KatherineWei-vx5fk]

@@l.alexandra5871her classmates at white lodge bullied her

[@mariocerioli6893]

Già il solo pensarti è un privilegio.

[@juliegale3863]

Just beautiful.

[@ronelllambert5394]

Such a wonderful dancer!!!!! Perfect feet!!!!

[@sedekiman]

Such a glorious dancer, she has everything. A partnership with Zelensky wonderful. Again English matches well with Russia.

[@rgwilkes]

A totally classy lady!

[@ronelllambert5394]

What an Amazing dancer!!!!!! She could knock the socks off any other famous dancer!!!! Even Fonteyn…… Antoinette Sibley….

[@patricialivingston5349]

I wish I had seen her perform. Her style is very different to me at the Royal Ballet. I used to watch the ballet in London with performances from Saddlers Wells but to me her dancing is far more beautiful in contrast. I thought they seemed very noisy when their feet hit the stage, they sounded like a group of horses clopping along!

[@sedekiman824]

An exquisite dancer. She has the most beautiful port de bras.

[@Susan-on3gc]

Some children thrive on being pushed and it works for them, like my son, but other children worked really hard, want to do things well, whether that academia or ballet and being constantly pushed would be detrimental, that’s my daughter, so the answer is to treat the children as individuals as adults always expect to be treated.

[@molkoette4449]

I wish I had had a tutor like Dame Ninette De Valouise...she would have shaken the kids up where I went to school...(I don't mean ballet school)....xxxx

[@anamariajimenezgarcia8464]

Beautiful 💖🌺

[@Glafira406]

Современный классический балет - это скорее советский, чем старый русский балет, который в чемоданах увезли с собой русские иммигранты за границу. Современный классический балет намного сложнее и эффектнее старинного и требует лучшей подготовки танцоров. Огромную роль в развитии современного русского балета сыграли советские хореографы Григорович, Якобсон, Эйфман. Григорович неимоверно усложнил хореографию, но она стала намного эффектнее и привлекательнее в классических балетах. Так что, то что сохранили в балете русские иммигранты важно, но немного устарело

[@Anna-vz5jl]

Gorgeous wow 🎉

[@DianaMoon11428]

Who is the Russian dancer at 33:40?

[@donalddonney1595]

Prima ballerina assoluta

[@gretahassock8914]

I think the ballerinas in Russia get more specialised help this is different in Russia they are more given individual attention

[@siimplycoxo1946]

My least favorite type of turns is probably petty tours i’m not quite sure how you spell it but I have it in my theory notes.

[@ladyjane6353]

Darcey 😍 Which is the male dancer with whom the "Manon" pas de deux dances?

[@AnnaAnna-zi8ri]

The blonde is her mother?? She looks so young.

[@susanmercurio1060]

Did Darcy Bussell study the Cechetti method?

[@gillianmckirdy337]

Darcy Bussell did study the Cechetti method.

[@catara.]

She was a RAD dancer

[@kcjd8659]

I live in the US and I only know who Darcey Bussell is thanks to The Vicar of Dibley.

[@ronelllambert5394]

How tall is she???

[@MoominJude]

I believe she is 5 ‘ 7”

[@poppykins2714]

She is 5’8

[@carolthomas8528]

Why not google it ?

[@mariana_palazuelos]

What's the choreo she's doing at 18:00?

[@delph2000]

What year was this made please?

[@wocomoCULTURE]

It was produced in 2014.

[@casteretpollux]

@@wocomoCULTURE But she retired which year?

[@catara.]

I remember watching it as a kid, in the late nineties. Maybe they were upgraded picture or something in 2014 but the documentary is older than that.

[@xxjuiciixx]

who's the guy speaking at 17:45 I recognise him and it's gonna bug me all week. this was a lovely doc but I wish they'd put people's names on the screen

[@christ6424]

Jonathan Cope i think

[@TheMumsel]

I didn’t expect somebody would seriously quote angry immigrants about «Russian and Soviet” ballet, which is the same. From the very beginning of Soviet era ballet was the most respected profession, all important ballet figures stayed at Russia and continued to work. Is it really necessary for Brits speaking about Russia to diminish and despise everything, yet using Russian music, dancers, ballets for their own benefit? And I guess British ballerinas are happy when their parts are snatched from them and given to guest stars?

[@casteretpollux]

The British ruling layers are constantly bashing everyone non British and of course are phobic about the idea of Soviet Russia. But what is conveyed about the RB is that its foundations were laid down by Russian dancers and they have retained mime in the choreography more than have the Russian companies. British documentaries tend to create narratives without too much regard for reality. e.g Drama ! Darcy was unpopular at school . Drama ! Russian dancers were mad at her taking their roles. Overall though I think the doc. is quite nuanced. She seems a complex woman and was undeniably a beautiful interpretive dancer.

[@v.britton4445]

Too sad great dancers have to get old. All that work...

[@judithsweeney2553]

I suppose they can teach or choreograph, but still it’s sad.

[@casteretpollux]

Dancers used to go on much longer. Too much athletics today.

[@clairedionne559]

And perhaps the public prefers the face of younger dancers? Sad, but still the truth today I fear. Besides, young ballerinas need a chance to be able to shine also. The career is so short! A bit like in the army: people need to plan early on a realistic second career...@@casteretpollux

[@mariasiebenrock7247]

Can anybody tell, which musical piece that is from 35:50 on? Would be very much appreciated. Thanks a lot. :)

[@sarahmott8876]

Le Corsaire??

[@garotadagavea]

La Bayadère.

[@susannagroppello751]

It's the Pas de Deux between Solor and Nikiya of the First Act of La Bayadère

[@mariasiebenrock7247]

@@susannagroppello751

[@mariasiebenrock7247]

@@garotadagavea

[@erpollock]

Who is her partner?

[@DENVERTZ007]

Ενα ενδιαφερον αφιερωμα της Βρετανικης Κρατικης Τηλεορασης,στην διασημη χορευτρια κλασιικου μπαλετου,Νταρσευ Μπουσελ:Μερικες ενδιαφερουσες πληροφοριες;Η Νταρσευ Μπουσελ γεννηθηκε στις 27 Απριλιου 19699 στο Λονδινο.Ο πατερας της ηταν Αυστραλος επιχειρηματιας και σχεδιαστης μοδας,και ιδρυσε την εταιρια μοδας"Dandie Fashion"το 1966 στην Αυστραλια.Σε ηλικια 13 χρονων,η Νταρσευ σπουδαζει στο "Αrt Educational Scholl",ενα ανεξαρτητο εκπαιδευτικο ιδρυμα παραστατικων τεχνων,που προσφερει μαθηση στο μουσικο θεατρο στην υποκριτικη για τον κινηματογραφο και τηλεοραση,καθως επεισης και μαθηματα μερικης απασχολησης,και εχει την εδρα στο Τσινσγουικ του Λονδινου.Και ολα αυτα πριν προχωρησει στο"Royal Ballet Lower Scholl"Σε ηλικια 16 χρονων,η Νταρσευ σπουδαζει στο"Royal Ballet Upper Scholl",που εχει την εδρα του στο White Lodge του Ριτσμοντ Παρκ.Mετα ενταχτηκε στα Βασιλικα μπαλετα"Sadler Well" to 1987.Eνω σπουδαζε στην Σχολη Βασιλικου Μπαλετου,εμφανιστηκε σε μια σειρα σχολικων παραγωγων,συμπεριλαμβανομενων παραστασεων στο"Royal Opera House".Συνεργαστηκε με τον γνωστο χορογραφο Κεννεθ Μακ Μιλλαν,στην παρασταση κλασσικου μαπλετου"Ο πριγκηπας της παγοδας",που ειναι βασισμενη στις χορογραφιες του Τζων Κρανκο,και μουσικη του Μπεντζαμιν Κριτεν.Κανονικα αυτη η παρασταση αυτου του εργου δοθηκε για 1η φορα,στις 1 Ιανουαριου 1957,απο το Βασιλικο Μπαλετο.Σε ηλικια 20 χρονων,η Νταρσευ εδωσε την 1η της παρασταση τον Δεκεμβριο του 1989.Ερμηνευσε πολλους ρολους σε πολλα γνωστα κλασσικα μπαλετα,οπως η"Ζιζελ","Η λιμνη των κυκνων,"Η ωραια κοιμομενη".Εδωσε και μια παρασταση με το παλετο της Νεας Υορκης τον Ιουνιο του 1993.Συμμετειχε με τα μπαλετα"Κιροβ".Αποσυρθηκε απο το μπαλετο στις 8 Ιουνιου 2007.Το 2012 εγινε προεδρος της Βασιλικης Ακαδημιας Χορου.Πηρε πολλα βραβεια για την προσφορα της στον χορο.Ενα απο αυτα ειναι το"Αξιωματικος του Ταγματος της Βρετανικης Αυτοκρατοριας"στις Πρωτοχρονιατικες Εκδηλωσεις του 1995.Ναι καλα ακουτε!Το 1997 παντρευτηκε εναν Αυστραλο επιχειρηματια,και εκανε και 2 κορες μαζι του.Λετε να ειναι και αυτες χορυετριες κλασσικου μαπελτου,οπως και η μητερα τους;Δεν αποκλειεται.Απλα μια υποθεση κανω.Τωρα ζει στο Γουιμπλετον.Αυτες ηταν μερικες ενδιαφερουσες πληροφοριες για την διασημη χορευτρια κλασσικου μαπλετου και πριμα μπαλαρινα,Νταρσευ Μπουσελ.Ευχαριστω...

[@casteretpollux]

Thankyou.

[@DENVERTZ007]

@@casteretpollux ARE YOU DANCER OF CLASSIC BALLET?BALLERINA?I JUST ASK.THANK YOU...

[@Glafira406]

Как давно это было. А сейчас есть балерины подобные ей?

[@DENVERTZ007]

@@Glafira406 ΜΑΚΑΡΙ ΝΑ ΥΠΑΡΧΟΥΝ ΑΚΟΜΑ ΧΟΡΕΥΤΡΙΕΣ ΚΛΑΣΣΙΚΟΥ ΜΠΑΛΕΤΟΥ ΣΑΝ ΤΗΝ ΝΤΑΡΣΕΥ ΜΠΟΥΣΕΛ.ΕΓΩ ΕΙΜΑΙ ΣΙΓΟΥΡΟΣ ΠΩΣ ΠΑΡΧΟΥΝ...

[@Glafira406]

Она очень артистична и пластична. К сожалению уровень балета в театре не исчерпывается солистами. Важен общий уровень труппы, чтобы был отличный кордебалет и солисты второго плана.

[@theresa42213]

She will be 54 this year.

[@patrickmullowney4220]

being a balleriner....

[@philv7160]

Dame Darcey Bussell amazes as an extremely strong and beautiful dancer as well as lovely and very intelligent woman. But the the film is quite annoying. Why did they go with all that fake scenery that ends up being so distracting? And why can't they name the people as they appear? Who is the young dancer that went to the Royal Ballet school with her? Who is the ballet master? I happen to recognize Igor Zelensky, but...ugh.

[@salomonbenavides529]

7:12

[@lauralutz4538]

I prefer, Margot & long gloves & courtesy. Sorry.

[@pibbles-a-plenty1105]

Skin and bones. 🤥

[@cathycharron-folsom4504]

Way to thin. Nothing prettty there

[@ernestcastro6238]

Ballet companies like the girls pared down to the bone, not emaciated but thin and healthy.

[@alix5514]

@@ernestcastro6238 I prefer the word "slender" actually.

[@catara.]

Dancers are athletes, exercises we use will develop long lean muscles and low body fat. To someone could look skinny but it's actually a very strong and healthy body. These body type will not be attractive to everyone the same as any other body type, we all have different taste.

[@chrispierce9699]

Anorexia

[@l.alexandra5871]

Are you kidding? There is nothing anorexic about Darcey Bussell. She is not a bag of bones. She is very slim with long muscles that make her legs look stretched. Most well trained dancers appear thinner than poorly trained dancers because those who are poorly trained do not develop long, lean lines … specially legs. Moreover, an incredibly strong, cast iron core (body) is the only way a dancer has the strength to lift their legs properly.

[@clairedionne559]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. It is sad to see so little attention dedicated to developing long lean lines. Unfortunately, too many legs look like cartoon legs today, with difficulty differentiating between the front and back of the leg. It must be so difficult to lift up those kinds of legs. I know some will totally disagree, but some of those who have not been taught to develop long lean lines on the legs: their tibias look like they are bowed backward. Do not get me wrong: every person with every body type deserves to be a dancer if she/he so desires and is willing to give of him/herself with will, courage, and discipline. But not all body shapes correspond to the choreography and artistry line demands.@@l.alexandra5871