Tart Adage ❤️ with Commentary | Queen of Hearts | Rose Adage PARODY | Ballet Reign

[@gillianashley1820]

It’s fun to realise that the two kings, Aurora’s father, and the Red King, are played by the same man, Christopher Saunders, Rehearsal Director and Principal Character Artist of the Royal Ballet. There’s versatility for you!

[@balletreign]

Yes, that’s right! Thanks for bringing that up as he does deserve kudos for playing such diverse role in both these ballets. Brilliant acting and performance!

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

That explains why the king was so tired!

[@jessaglenny]

The irony is that Zenaida was never actually allowed to dance Aurora. The Royal Ballet considered her too tall.

[@balletreign]

The IRONY 😭😂

[@agathaknive3321]

WHAT LOL

[@AmbarD.P.D.]

Whaaaaat 😭💔

[@dottiedavis355]

Hmm…I have to wonder if Wheeldon created the Red Queen on Zenaida for that exact reason. Take _that_ Royal Ballet!

[@mistressofuniverses]

@@dottiedavis355 He actually did. There are videos from behind the scene where they spoke with Wheeldon and Zenaida about this piece and they discussed how it was composed with her specifically in mind

[@Jayjen35]

About the Red Queen's refusal of the 4th partner - I just remembered a story that was told about - I believe - Margot Fonteyn. She was once doing the Rose Adagio and was so well balanced that when it came time for the 4th prince to help her to balance instead she just smiled at him and continued on. Maybe that's where the inspiration for that part of the dance came from?

[@balletreign]

Ohhh that’s pretty probable! 😃

[@ricopoisson]

My favourite part isn't actually in this cast but with Laura Morera: Right after the queen did her first of those infamous balances she looks at the audience with an expression of shock and awe that she actually did it

[@balletreign]

That part was HILARIOUS 🤣 one of the only times in ballet where you can show the audience how hard your job really is 😂

[@Mo3zito]

Watch the kings scepter when he tells her to dance. The way it starts pointing up and then drops.....it's too comedically golden to not be intentional. Especially seeing she gives it to one of the cards in the groin

[@balletreign]

The scepter detail was a definite highlight 😂

[@Roheryn100]

Cough…cough…Hope that passed over the heads of younger viewers in the audience ! 🤣🤣🤣

[@brit1583]

That was so clever. The acting was so good and to do steps “wrong” is so much harder and shows a real mastery of the art

[@balletreign]

Truth!

[@SarahHope883]

I’ve just discovered your channel and am loving working my way through your content. Fun fact: Zenaida wasn’t Wheeldon’s original choice for the red Queen. Zen generously volunteered to do a ballet workshop in London for adult amateur ballet dancers a few years ago and she told us he originally chose a very petite dancer. His idea was small Queen with a big personality. But a few weeks into the creative process they agreed it wasn’t working. He then worked with Zen and they worked really well together on this role, bouncing ideas off each other easily. I think this turned out to be one of her most iconic roles. Wheeldon is a genius and Zen is honestly one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met. She coached us on the Red Queen solo which was super fun and so much harder than it looks. She’s now a permanent repertoire coach at the Royal Ballet passing on her wisdom. Such a class act.

[@PlugInKali]

Yes! I bloody love the Alice in Wonderland ballet! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this homage/spoof/parody :) My favourite performance in the ballet is the Mad Hatter scene, but of course it will be hard for you to analyse that one, since it's very tap based, so this adage is the best choice :)

[@K0nt4kt]

i want to see alice so bad but i have no idea where I could see it live!

[@priscawiersma]

it’s on prime video! i know it is 100% different live though. 😕

[@minissa2009]

When this premiered, I was the only one watching who got all the "in" jokes. I love the way you did the split screen to show how the Tart Adagio parodies the Rose. I became acquainted with Yanowsky very late in her career but really loved her technically as well as dramatically. That she can do such deadpan comedy is just another testament to her skills. Thanks for this, it was delightful!

[@balletreign]

Hehehe 🤭 we appreciate you being with us for so long! Yanowsky is such a great dancer and artist. She plays the character very tastefully and doesn’t overdo it… that may just be what makes her so fantastic 😂. Thank you for watching as always!

[@jessaglenny]

Oh, brilliant, it's the one with Zenaida in it. For me, she is absolutely the best in this role.

[@balletreign]

She really is! It’s always a treat to see the original cast of a role♥️

[@whimsylore]

As a very tall ballet dancer who never got to partner...and also as someone who loves comedy ballet theater... I adore the tart adage 😊😊😊

[@annaiuga]

I bought the Alice in wonderland DVD and the entire ballet is just exquisite. I love it so much. I also love the Mad hatter dance and the catterpilar because of the various styles of dances mixed in the ballet.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

Yes, I agree 100%! I actually saw the caterpillar scene on KZbin and I went online immediately to order the DVD just based on that. I love the behind-the-scenes features where they talk about how Christopher Wheeldon got his ideas and about composing the music and creating the costumes and scenery and everything. 😍💕

[@balletreign]

The caterpillar part is the best!!

[@laurencebastien-dionne218]

I looooove this Adage. The extra layer of humour and the quality of the prime ballerina 😱 she IS AMAZING!! for doing all of that

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

❤️♠️♦️♣️ I love the "Alice" ballet so much! Your spiff explanation was very interesting as you pointed out a number of details which had completely escaped my notice. Thank you for inserting the clips from "Sleeping Beauty" so we could see and hear the similarities. It was great that you showed a short portion of the "Alice" scene, then you explained it, then you showed that portion again. Excellently done! The male dancers had to be pretty careful handling The Red Queen, as it looks like she could easily injure herself while being extended in splits, and being hauled around by four men. The Red Queen absolutely owns the stage every time she's on it! I think the absolute quirkiest was that she actually bit into the tarts! How often does one get to eat on stage? The whole scene, actually, the entire ballet, is absolutely delightful and charming! I'm so glad I bought the DVD! Thank you very much for this video, my Ballet Reign Dears 🌧️🦌🌧️🦌!

[@balletreign]

Yay! Thanks for your thoughtful comments. So glad you enjoyed our commentary on this comedic ballet piece. It does a great job of playing off the Rose Adage and brings a fresh take on it. Both are absolutely a gem to watch and enjoy 😊

[@miriam8376]

Yes! I want to see this ballet so bad! Really liked seeing both versions side by side to compare.

[@balletreign]

Welcome and thank you for watching! Definitely worth seeing if you can 😊

[@susanpaul4752]

Zenaida Y. dances away with the Queen's Award for Brilliance on stage, in Ballet.

[@tiffcat1100]

We need to bottle up your laughter & take a daily dose! ❤♣️♦️♠️

[@BreakofDawn]

I remember requesting your commentary for this scene, back in the sleeping beauty video!! I had no idea it was a parody though lol. Thank you two for the commentary! I learned so much and got to see so many details I missed the first time watching this scene. It does make it even better, now that I know it was a parody of sleeping beauty

[@balletreign]

Yay! 💕 So glad you requested and enjoyed this video :)

[@magicarp79]

They are amazing dancers. It must be tough to deliberately do an oopsie and make it look natural. 😂

[@drekfletch]

I like when, after she's swung around by all four, she ends up with her tutu up; bringing in an homage to the iconic Disney version when the Queen ends up flipped upside down displaying her bloomers.

[@naomimckay]

I loved y'all's commentary. I also loved y'all showing the parts of the Rose Adage to compare to the Tart Adage. This was so much fun!💕💕💕 (also it was funny when the cards shuffled during the promenades, because, well, they're cards that are shuffling)

[@balletreign]

OMG… the CARDS… were…SHUFFLING 😂😂😂 we’re laughing so hard over this Thanks so much for watching, we’re so glad you enjoyed the video! ❤️❤️

[@aSUGAaddiction]

Thanks for doing the comparisons because I didn't know it was a parody of the Rose Adagio. It's so funny but can we acknowledge how strenuous and just as technical the Tart one is to make it funny. Idk who the Queen is but she was amazing.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

The dancer’s name is Zenaida Yanowsky, Who is described as “a French born Spanish ballet dancer, and a former principal dancer with the Royal ballet in London.” She has so much character that she absolutely rules the stage! She is now 47 years old so she has probably retired. It says she’s 1.75 m tall, which I think is approximately 5 foot 10, which is very tall for a ballerina. Apparently she was never allowed to dance Aurora because they like to have the shorter dancers to play that role because Aurora is supposed to be 16 years old.

[@aSUGAaddiction]

@Drones Club High Jinks thank you. I watched both her's and Laura's, and they are both so enjoyable. It's just fun to watch

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

@@aSUGAaddiction yes, they are delightful!

[@balletreign]

So glad we could share this with you! Ballet is more fun to watch with understanding ❤️ hope you continue to enjoy our videos! ☺️

[@jonathanbaker768]

I love how funny the cards are ❤️🩰

[@sophia-helenemeesdetricht1957]

Ooooooooooooooooookay, found my dream role. It’s perfect, I got the comedy role in my last performance, and I have the sharp features for a mean queen lol

[@balletreign]

U found ur dream role! 😄😄 sounds like you’d absolutely slay in it too 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@mjgbabydragonlet]

I remember the first performance of Alice. McRae stole the show, but the Tart Adage was so shockingly funny. Wheeldon is a genius. Even the minor roles in his work show his creativity. I remember my sense of awe leaving the theatre. Having the opportunity to return to Covent Garden last fall, for Mayerling, the awe was still there. I find it interesting to take people to things they think they can't understand. I have no clue why in the US ballet is considered only for the elite. In Russia, in Europe, in Asia, Ballet can be for everyone. The audience experience here in the US leaves something to be desired. Might be the cell phones ruining the magic? I want to see performances without distractions. At Lincoln Center the audience cares more about being seen, than watching the artists on stage. When I am at the theatre, my phone is turned completely off. I want to lose myself in the performance.

[@balletreign]

Absolutely agree; we love to unplug whenever we watch a performance! Not only is it courteous to the performers, but it also lets you fully appreciate the show. Esp for something like Alice in WL when so much is going on, you don’t wanna miss a single moment!

[@kelleyforeman]

This was wonderful! I am an orchestral musician and know nothing about ballet, but I’ve learned so much from you girls. I love your channel!

[@balletreign]

Aww thank you for your sweet comment. Glad you’re enjoying our channel! ☺️ What do you play? We love musicians ❤️

[@kelleyforeman]

@@balletreign I play viola. I’ve spent a lot of time in the pit, but never get to see the dancers!

[@balletreign]

That’s incredible! Thank you, and all the other musicians, for what you do! We dancers could not exist without you guys 🤍🤍

[@balletreign]

Hopefully our videos can help you to see what goes on onstage while y’all are playing 🎶

[@kelleyforeman]

@@balletreign awwww. We love supporting dancers and opera singers, even if the pit gets a little crowded!

[@Siyanaswan]

I’m can’t wait!

[@markbeck8384]

What fun, can't wait for your comments.

[@PamalaHess]

Super spoof. I learned a long time ago you have to be a very good dancer to pull this kind of physical ballet you have to be good

[@balletreign]

Very true!! 👍🏻✨

[@voyaristika5673]

How fun😂 It takes real pros to pull off the perfect spoof. I would like to have seen her deliver the tarts to her parents, to her father, poor man.

[@balletreign]

Haha wouldn’t that be hilarious? 😂

[@SneezingSquink]

Yesss I was hoping you'd cover this after doing the Rose Adage

[@osnatashtaralevin8944]

That was fascinating! I had no idea about the connection to the Rose Adage and I appreciate this piece now even more. It also goes to show just how funny and enjoyable it is on its own merits.. So cool!

[@balletreign]

Yay! Glad we could share something new with you! ❤️❤️

[@desertrose3511]

3:09 starts the beginning of the Tart adage

[@K0nt4kt]

Watched the Rose Adage video right before this, sooooooo goood lol

[@balletreign]

Thank you for watching- glad you enjoyed both! 😊

[@Patriciabiasdottir]

You two are so cute 🥰 I love your channel ❤ I just love ballet, I don't dance, unfortunately. I didn't know this ballet, and it is indeed very funny. I love funny ballets. My favorite is the Trocadero.

[@balletreign]

Thank you!! So glad you like our channel, and hope you’ll continue to enjoy ❤️☺️

[@Onionjellysarcasm]

Yay! Can’t wait!

[@lapiz6839]

A commentary about Pas De Deux performances (Nutcracker Pas de deux, White cat and Puss in boots Pas de deux etc) would be really nice especially coming from you two ❤ Also, excellent video as always. More blessings 🌹

[@lapiz6839]

Btw, i recommend Svetlana Efremova's performance of the pas de deux (from the nutcracker), it is most magnificent. Its as if she's drifting.

[@balletreign]

Aww thank you so much! We will put those on the list. Blessings to you too! ❤️❤️

[@echofugiens]

Oh this is another good one! 😊 Looks like you chose the version with Zenaida? It’s funny, I’ve shown both Zenaida and Laura Morera’s version to people and in general, those with a lot of knowledge about ballet prefer Zenaida’s interpretation, while ’ballet novices’ seem to prefer Laura’s portrayal.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

I wonder why? I am definitely a novice. I just looked up Laura’s version and it’s really good, but I prefer the original with Zenaida. She’s the first one I saw because I bought the DVD a number of years ago. I love how much character Zenaida seems to effortlessly bring to the role. Of course this is not fair, but I believe the height advantage in addition to her other acting skills made Zenaida more intimidating and effective as a lunatic queen. It must’ve been difficult for Laura to try to follow in those footsteps! I saw Zenaida in other roles afterwards, and it was a bit disappointing because the characters she was playing were not emotionally unbalanced. I felt like she has so much more acting potential that very dramatic roles are probably what she’s best at. Having said that, I’m totally a novice so don’t take my opinion very seriously. 😁

[@echofugiens]

​@@dronesclubhighjinksI think Laura has a bit more exaggeration in her interpretation that makes it more accessible to people who haven’t seen the rose adage or who aren’t that into ballet, but i’m not sure. I like both versions though :) I must also admit: if you have seen Zenaida in other roles, you aren’t exactly a novice in my book. I’m talking about people with no interest in ballet at all!

[@Are_We_Having_Tea]

@@dronesclubhighjinks also keep in mind that Wheeldon created the role on Zenaida so the physicality of the “jokes” are innate to the way she moves. Every other dancer in the role is going to have to work a bit harder to create the movements and the timing so it can seem a little forced.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

@@Are_We_Having_Tea that is an excellent point! I had not thought of that, but it makes perfect sense. Thank you! 💐

[@gonefishing167]

You made this so enjoyable, thank you girls 🩰🩰🩰🩰🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[@MarlowePowerLockman]

I have watched this adage sooo many times and I am super happy to see you finally react to it!!

[@balletreign]

Yay, we’re so so glad to finally share it with you guys :)

[@altuum]

This is such an fun video!!! Thank you! Looking forward to your posts…😊😊😊

[@balletreign]

You’re welcome, thank you for watching! 😊

[@BeatricerIVA-lm3vp]

Beatiful and very funny😍❤🤣🍰! For me the most funny ballet is "la fille mal gardeè" by Ashon ! I laugh a lot when i viewed the version of Natalia Osipova, Steven McRae, Philip Mosley and Paul Kay (also the pony, too) !💗🩰

[@balletreign]

LOVE THAT BALLET 🤍 The chicken dance is hilarious, and the part where Alain flies away in the wind during the storm is the best. Def one of our faves!

[@charc3345]

Yes!! You all are the first I’ve seen react to this❤

[@balletreign]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@yvonnestrong3856]

Thanks for this video! I knew you'd do a brilliant job. I'm not sure if this one or the Rose Adagio is the more technically difficult, but it must take a lot of skill to portray such a bad dancer and be thoroughly entertaining in the process. I hope it was some consolation for Ms Yanowsky to get her teeth into this one (literally!) after not being allowed to dance Aurora (among several other roles) because she was considered, apparently, to be too tall and not pretty enough.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

She was considered not pretty enough? That’s awful and wrong. She is very striking, and seems to have a very assertive personality. Nobody will ever confuse her with any other ballerina!

[@balletreign]

Aww thank you! Glad u enjoyed. It is definitely hard to make the “accidents” look spontaneous after weeks of rehearsals, but she does SUCH a great job 👏👏👏

[@maggiequade6400]

I’m really excited because I’m getting to see this ballet in May

[@balletreign]

That’s so exciting opportunity! ❤️Definitely on our wish list one day to see a ballet in London 🇬🇧 let us know how you liked it!

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

Wow, you are so lucky! Have a wonderful time!

[@newbie6036]

❤❤❤thx for the commentary! It’s so funny when you guys add conversations to them 😂😂😂

[@we.genuinely.think2882]

I‘ve watched this so many times, because it is just so funny and you discover new details every time. Did you notice the people in the trees in the background? I also love how you also talk about the music in your videos because I always learn something new ☺

[@balletreign]

Yay! So glad you are learning with us! We love pieces like these that just never get old 😂 the trees are such a great touch 🌲🌲🌲

[@MissSeyton]

And now Lauren is dancing the Red Queen - coached by Zenaida. In my mind that's just amazing and very 'Alice' itself.

[@MarilynValentine-c1d]

This was amazing, I had not heard of the tart adagio before but laughed throughout! Thank you for that. I love your channel!

[@balletreign]

Glad u enjoyed a good laugh today! This one always makes us smile. Thanks for being here! 😄😄

[@calamityjai99]

Such an elegant “mess”!

[@NightWink129]

More of these types of ballets need to be produced. The classics would be more valued if they weren't milked every season, every year, instead only being danced for certain occasions or just scheduled less.

[@nairaginwalla]

love this video!

[@susanpaul4752]

Thanks, ladies for the comparitive analysis..you are right on, and we are laughing along with you.

[@balletreign]

Glad you enjoyed that one! Thanks for laughing with us 😂

[@journeyrivenburgh1052]

5:54 omg the four suits of cards.

[@user-el2nh5uo1w]

I’ve watched the tart adagio many times and didn’t notice any of this. Thanks for in jokes.

[@balletreign]

You’re so welcome! We’re so glad this helped 😊

[@carolinelovelace9714]

I really enjoy your channel…I danced in a company in the early 70s but you never get too old to enjoy seeing talented young dancers! Loved your review of female variations and your ranking of most difficult steps. I’d love to see you review most difficult and then most overplayed pas de deux. Also, you could show most difficult choreography vs most applauded. It is kind of annoying to see an audience applaud, like crazy for grand jete, and then be unimpressed with the one-handed promenade. I’d love to get your take on these things!

[@balletreign]

Thank you very much! So glad you enjoy our channel. That is a fabulous idea, we would love to talk about difficult steps vs most crowd appeal. Thank you for your suggestion! ☺️💕

[@oxoelfoxo]

definitely helped me appreciate the dance better, thanks!

[@balletreign]

Glad u enjoyed and found it helpful!! 👍🏻✨

[@HenryDrives]

Thanks for this video! I'm quite new to the ballet, but I bought immediately the DVD of Alice and we wached it with my daughter. It's amazing... we had such a good time.

[@balletreign]

Thank you for watching, and we are glad to have those new to ballet here! Happy to hear this inspired you to buy the dvd and watch the full ballet with your daughter! 🩰🧡❤️

[@CheyenneSedai]

Late to this one because I was busy all day, but I've been slowly watching publicly available recordings of some of my favorite ballets with some friends, and Immediately added this one to the list, though it's going to be hard to find. We've done Nutcracker and Coppélia so far, Swan Lake is tomorrow!

[@balletreign]

This is wonderful!! So glad y’all can enjoy ballet together. This one is def a must see! ❤️

[@sveasoot2877]

brilliant duo- amazing parody!!

[@balletreign]

They were hilarious 😂😂

[@echofugiens]

If you are looking for more funny ballet, the Trocks are also worth mentioning!

[@daphnegeorge7481]

Love this. Have you shared the Mad Hatter scene, especially the tap dancing.

[@balletreign]

That is such a cool scene! We would love to do a video on it thanks for the request :)

[@VickiBlake-il1lg]

Love watching you all - I’ve learned a lot. I’d enjoy this more if you showed the entire clip & then went back to comment on everything. It was odd playing a few seconds & commenting…repeat. Bless you all - overall you all do a great job!

[@tarantellalarouge7632]

this is sooo British, I don't think we could see at the Opéra de Paris !

[@balletreign]

Haha yeah 😂

[@cm5061]

The Tart Adage answers the age-old question "What if the princes from the Rose Adage were *really, really bad at it*?"

[@marylee8372]

This is hilarious and I have shared it with friends who really don't understand, or like, ballet at all! 😂Your commentary should really help non-ballet viewers to appreciate the comparisons with Sleeping Beauty. I have tried to locate a very old video of the San Francisco Ballet Company doing a fundraising challenge with the San Francisco football team (I think it's the SF 49ers). The company did a bit of training with the big, burley football players who then did a performance in tutus. Very funny AND the guys all ended up confessing that ballet was harder than football 😂😂😂😂 Like I said above, I have tried to find this old video but no luck. But your computer skills are, no doubt, better than mine so maybe you could post it if it ever shows up. I'm not sure about the years to search 70s, 80s, 90s ????? I've tried but come up with bupkiss. Maybe you could use your professional connections to contact the SF Ballet Company????

[@balletreign]

This is so great to hear! We do our best to make ballet less cryptic and help more people appreciate the arts 💕. We’ll try to find out more about this video with SFB 👍🏻

[@marylee8372]

@@balletreign Thanks ladies!

[@phoenixlundstrom3447]

Second favorite...still laughing

[@cbass2755]

🤣🤣 she head butted her partner! It also seems to me it could be easy to hurt yourself? The way they pick her up when her legs are spread so far apart…made me nervous at times…

[@victoriastevens2568]

Love these videos !

[@balletreign]

Thank you!

[@hannabergmann8831]

Zenaida Yanowsky is also a great comedian.

[@balletreign]

She is brilliant 😂😂✨✨

[@ianmoseley9910]

The current DVD from ROH (£24.99) has Laura Morera as the queen.

[@balletreign]

Thank you for this ❤️

[@sheanaguthrie6021]

❤

[@bailey-booop]

i would donate sanity, but I don't have any to spare 💀

[@balletreign]

😂😂😂

[@mary-annebarnett654]

Please highlight Stephen McCrae

[@balletreign]

A brilliant dancer for sure! 🙌🏻

[@gonefishing167]

Hi girls, I know this is from a while ago but it’s the only one that came up. I,don’t know how to get to other places. A couple of weeks ago I told you about the very best Grand Pas Classique I had ever seen. Found it, or rather, it found me. By accident but - hey. It was Vladimir Mayakovsky and Tatiana Paliy. That’s a y on the end there. Think it was 1991 - were you even born then? Try me - 1948!!!!!!! That’s why I don’t know how to do things. Take care 🩰🩰🩰🩰🩰👵🇦🇺

[@balletreign]

Weren’t born yet lol 😂 but thank u, we’ll def check it out! ❤️

[@meganjaime7728]

Can anyone explain why there are people in trees?

[@oxoelfoxo]

maybe so they can move/remove themselves from the scene?

[@alicjakijewski3]

ZAMOWIONE TALENTEM ROZUMIENIA KOBIET TAKZE????

[@LadyBlack22]

Lol “suitors”

[@kinleybailee3841]

🌸 *promosm*

[@mr.harrypotter8874]

I think Laura Morera's adagio is better than this one