why is ballet so freaking dramatic

[@ThePointeShop]

Do we need more Josephine commentary of ballets? Let us know which ballets/variations you'd like her to watch!

[@stevielm]

Yes please! One of my favorite videos so far, the reactions are so good I cackled. 😂 And I agree about Gisellle, such BS. Please do La Sylphide.

[@austin.luther]

The fairy variations from Sleeping Beauty! And anything involving Steve McRae.

[@TheQuickAsAFlash]

Out of curiosity, would you be up for commentating on ballets in fiction? The opening ballet in Abigail, for example; spoilery reason below. Alternatively, how do you feel about animated ballet - hear me out! There's a ballet called Princess Tutu, and while some short cuts had to be made for the sake of animation, I've heard generally good things. Off the top of my head, the Giselle ballet sequence is lovely, as is the episode 13 pas de deux. (Though that one is a bit complicated given the context.) It's an older anime, but it's a good one and I want to rep it all the time lmao. Abigail spoilers: I've read that the fact that Abigail goes on point at such a young age is a hint to her true nature, and I'd be interested in a professional's commentary on that.

[@itzzChace]

YEEESSSS

[@santaconrad498]

Yes please

[@user-el2nh5uo1w]

Josephine’s new choreography would be everyone in the village just slapping the young prince silly.

[@kballet2001]

I wanna see this please and where instead of saving him she tortures him. Make it a horror ballet please 🙏

[@user-el2nh5uo1w]

@@kballet2001 that would be very cool. I think that would be an excellent idea.

[@reachandler3655]

No, I suspect she'd prefer he be kicked silly, you know much she likes watching feet 😂

[@makaylaisabrontosmoreus]

YAS

[@liannaspring1800]

It makes sense that Giselle could die of a broken heart. It’s established early in the ballet that she has a weak heart. Her mother doesn’t want her to dance.

[@ZuzusHouse]

oh i thoughts she stabbed herself with that spade tho didn't she? It looked like she stabbed herself at 4:22 at least that's what i always assumed happened

[@aliyamailloux6679]

@@ZuzusHouseit depends on the production. In this one by the Royal Ballet she stabs herself, but in some versions she dies of a “broken heart”

[@kategornostal976]

Actually art director of this ballet play Peter Wright, said that she’s not crazy, she’s not killing herself, she’s in terrible stroke. Yeah, and of course her heart problems could cause a death like this

[@Cece-rg8tn]

In my company when we did Giselle last year she died bc she had some sickness where she couldnt dance or her heart would fail

[@kayemallory117]

Romeo and Juliet dancing and building to their ultimate kiss and just as they gaze into each other's eyes and lean in to finally touch lips, Josephine says, "Look at their shoes!" Way to wreck romance! LOL Love this style of commentary and explanation of what the characters are doing. I've never been to these ballets before, so having them explained is wonderful!

[@patriciaolds7675]

YES you can die of a broken heart. Intense emotional dysregulation, often from grief, can cause strings in your heart chambers to break, which can cause a lot of strain on your heart and if enough break, can cause your heart to collapse. Extreme bouts of grief/heartbreak can kill you.

[@PurelyCoincidental]

There are also some medical conditions, such as long QT syndrome, that can make you heart prone to freaking out after a sudden shock, and can cause fainting or (in severe cases) cardiac arrest.

[@miss-petrolea]

I do feel I have to say... as a MD (pathologist), that's not quite what happens. What CAN happen is you can get vasospasms that, if severe enough, can completely obstruct the bloodflow in the small arteries that actually provide oxygen to your heart muscle. This can cause the exact same effect as a "normal" heart attack (when one of those arteries gets cloggged), and if it goes on for long enough and the oxygen deprived area is exactly where the chordae (the strings) attach to the heart muscle they can get weakened and tear loose, which means your heart valves can't function any more and the heart doesn't collapse so much as it can't push the blood in the right direction any more (the valves make sure your heart is a one-way stream, no valves -> no blood flow). That all said, while I will never say something can never-ever happen I have never (either in person or in literature) found any evidence that those spasms can be caused by intense emotional dysregulation. Prolonged (emotional) stress CAN cause hormonal imbalances that in turn might cause hypertension and eventually a problem with your hearth's rythm. That is not an acute event, though. In terms of Giselle, specifically: Through my "medical goggles" I've always seen the first act as storybuilding that Giselle is "frail", and shouldn't exert herself (her mother even protests her dancing in an earlier scene). I've always interpreted this as her having an underlying (probably from birth) heart condition. The madness scene than translates as her going, well, mad, and dancing herself to exertion while also being under extreme emotional stress (which will also cause the heart rate to increase), at which point her (already unhealthy) heart cannot cope, the hearth rythm trips up, and she collapses/dies. This is similar to how there's been several cases (sometimes televised, even) over time of athletes collapsing during competitions, and it turns out they unknowingly had a pre-existing heart condition.

[@Hanarchyreigns]

Takotsubo syndrome is a form of Cardiomyopathy referred to as "broken heart syndrome" - but it is an extremely manageable condition these days!

[@Hanarchyreigns]

Source: I work for a Cardiomyopathy charity

[@littlebigkicker]

true

[@MacDouhui]

The popular use of "getting the willies" originated with Giselle. Though it was used as a way of saying things are getting spooky. The original title was "Giselle, ou les Wilis." Albrecht, her despoiler, is the usual airhead, rich kid, cad, an essential character in 19th century ballets and operas. How can we forget Siegfried and his rich kid fraternity boy pals going down to the lake to shoot swans and assorted other waterfowl to test his new crossbow? The Wikipedia recap is great: "... Giselle goes mad and dies of heartbreak. After her death, she is summoned from her grave into the vengeful, deadly sisterhood of the Wilis, the ghosts of unmarried women who died after being betrayed by their lovers and take revenge in the night by dancing men to death by exhaustion." Also note how Giselle still "knows her place" as she curtsies to her noble better after accidentally bumping into her at 4:32.

[@SLAMSwan]

I love Josephine's commentary on the trifling Prince in Giselle. I need more of this, please!

[@ThePointeShop]

Noted!

[@LuxC341]

@@ThePointeShop When she said "royal dude", I thought "'royal d-(something else)."

[@andreamckenzie8598]

"WE ARE ESMARELDAS! KITRIS! ...not Giselle, Second Act" is starting to make a whole lot more sense

[@mermaidopulence8539]

Yaassss Mrs Irena

[@justsomeonewhopopsupeveryw1444]

The giselle second act slander from Mrs Irena

[@mermaidopulence8539]

Tell me you watch Eva Nys without telling me you watch Eva Nys 😂

[@pjkhunold]

Another MBA fan!

[@iriaxitorres9876]

We should have Mrs Irena's words on a T-shirt.

[@luishernandezblanco2118]

The best part is Josephine's commentary on Giselle! the "dude don't touch her" sent me

[@Samantha_Gimenez]

The fact that ur annoyed of the jerk means he's doing good and connecting with the audience (but I think u know that already) Edit: AHHHH TYSM FOR THESE LIKES ❤❤

[@lyn100]

ospiova's acting in the mad scene is INCREDIBLE!! i feel like i can actually hear her speaking and sobbing, it's absolutely magical

[@RachaelTheRed]

Yes! I LOVE that the Royal Ballet puts out all these clips! When I was teaching begining ballet we would learn about different classic ballets every month. We would read the story one week, listen to the music the next week, and we would watch clips from it on the thrid week. I pulled so many of those Royal Ballet clips because they're so high quality and you can really see what the dancers are doing. What a great resource!

[@ElaineFrancesca]

Natalia's performance is the absolute BEST performance of Giselle EVER! So many emotions and they're never overdone. Perfection!

[@corrugatedmetal6598]

why is nobody talking about romeo?! he played that part so beautifully. i was getting chills

[@elizzy8754]

My thoughts exactly. You can't have Juliet without Romeo, in this case, Principal, Matthew Ball who is a faultless partner to Yasmin Naghdi. (And even if we don't like Albrecht in Giselle, we can certainly appreciate Carlos Acosta's dancing and acting).

[@songoftheriverwren]

More please! Also, I think Josephine summarizing ballets would be an awesome series....

[@jessiahstalbirds.j.794]

Royal Ballet Dancers Male/Female are in a league of their own. They are coached to emote emotion into every nuance of the characters they portray. Natalia Osipova is a great actress as well as an extraordinary Ballerina. Her acting in the Ballet Anastasia is Oscar-worthy.

[@2singmyheart]

I need a Josephine commentary for every ballet ever

[@birichinaxox9937]

I need Josephine to do this for all the major scenes in ballet so i can finally understand wft is going on❤

[@SimpleDesertRose]

OK look at her shoes 😂😂😂 spoken like a true pointe shoe fitter 😂😂😂

[@gabsy6443]

@@SimpleDesertRose Osipova always dances with dead shoes, not sure how she does it

[@SimpleDesertRose]

@@gabsy6443 it was something Josephine said lol

[@Kaalokalawaia]

Yes, it's possible to die from a broken heart, also known as broken heart syndrome or Takotsubo syndrome. This temporary heart condition can be triggered by a stressful event, such as a breakup, the death of a loved one, or a natural disaster. During times of stress, the body's fight-or-flight response causes adrenaline levels to increase, which can make the heart beat harder and faster. In broken heart syndrome, part of the heart enlarges and doesn't pump properly, while the rest of the heart may contract more forcefully. This can lead to heart muscle failure, and in rare cases, cardiogenic shock, which occurs when the heart can't pump enough blood to the body. Cardiogenic shock is the most common cause of death from broken heart syndrome. While broken heart syndrome can be fatal, most people who experience it make a full recovery within weeks and are at low risk of it happening again. However, complications can include: Pulmonary edema, or fluid buildup in the lungs Low blood pressure Arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats Blood clots in the heart To prevent another episode, healthcare professionals often recommend long-term treatment with beta blockers or similar medications. You can also try to reduce or manage stress, exercise regularly, reduce caffeine intake, get enough sleep, avoid alcohol, and remember to breathe.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

Thank you for the explanation!

[@AkashaOConnell]

Natalia is perfection when it comes to emotion

[@ghkdwls360]

I will watch anything josephine wants to do! I could listen to her talk about anything ballet and dance-related all day!

[@Ysaedda]

Josephine playing the role of Myrta throughout this commentary 😂

[@estephaniabarkow4410]

When she said: I have to brace myself it cracked me up so much lol

[@JustClaude13]

Giselle was also one of the great battles in the first season of Princess Tutu. It had a lot of great fight scenes, including Coppelia and the Black Swan's pas de duex. The answer to the flower question, of course, is that he loves her, but his family has already chosen a bride for him. In the time where the ballet is set, the twentieth century hasn't started yet.

[@braej.8973]

why is that scene in romeo and juliet the sweetest, most pure representation of a first love? so precious :)

[@draco1811]

Does anybody remember when Bravo used to show filmed ballets, operas, and Shakespeare? Every so often you'd get to watch a really cool version of Swan Lake or Faust. Once or twice a year they'd show an old Cirque du Soleil performance. And of course, every Christmas, Bravo would have a couple Nutcracker performances. Now all we have is the Real Housewives. Way to go, Andy. 😥 👿

[@ShadiyahOfMaryland]

I miss the Battle of the Nutcrackers, Bravo used to air in December! I loved them too and they need to come back!

[@JustClaude13]

I can remember when Arts & Entertainment used to have art in the entertainment. I'm old enough to remember when nickel candy bars only cost a dime.

[@draco1811]

@@JustClaude13 The year I started driving, you could fill a Honda Passport for less than $20 in San Diego. And yeah, A&E made me feel better for watching it, unlike the WB.

[@mavinajfan]

I do love below deck but I loved the old bravo.

[@januarysidra6166]

I love that Josephine is so emotionally invested.

[@suemills5108]

Ok your reactions and comments are just pure gold 😂

[@gapDenver83]

Yes yes yes!!! We need more Josephine ballet commentary 😊😊😊

[@tomazgolub2580]

Amazing video. Just one thing. Giselle doesn't die of a broken heart. She has a heart condition, thats reffered to several times in the ballet (most explicitely in the waltz and the mise en scene with her mother where we first learn of the Willis, who were women who died before their wedding night)... She starts passing out at first during the waltz because of too much exhertion... most likely she had some sort of heart condition, which got aggravated and she got a heart attack, with the whole shock during the finale of the first act.... although dying of a broken heart is a thing, a lot of the times reported with older couples, who ve been together for a long time. And then after the first one dies, the other one follows in the soan of the next two years, where their condition just gets worse and worse...

[@EmL-kg5gn]

That always breaks my heart when older couples can’t live without each other 🥺😭

[@maizie5590]

Matthew and yasmine are just PHENOMENAL. most spectacular pair I’ve seen in a while

[@elli.l.c]

Okay but in all honesty, Natalia absolutely nailed the emotions and facial expressions in Giselle. Absolutely flawless

[@SageWhite-Rose]

Yes, you can die of a broken heart. It's rare, about 1%, but it can happen. Please keep this series up...I LOVE it !!!!!

[@vmm44]

Yes, please do react to more ballets! Loved this.

[@oceanequestrian11]

That “Juliet” is an exquisite dancer😍🩰

[@emmalalaloo]

The way that me and my friends know giselle is that she didn't die because of a broken heart but because of her heart problems, the sudden shock and betrayel caused her heart to fail and led to her death, i know of other versions though where she either stabs herself or does indeed die of s broken heart

[@buniny]

the first time we watched swan lake both of them yeeted themselves off the platform 😂 I was waiting to see which version we would get and the draaaamaaaaa!!

[@vd7332]

In the original version, Giselle stabs herself with Albrecht's sword, which explains why her body lies in the forest, on profane land, from where she can hear the call of the Wilis and join them. Most modern versions are sanitized and have removed the suicide in favor of the broken heart version, after having (re)discovered the ballet in its Russian versions (Paris, June 1910, with the Ballets Russes of Serge de Diaghilev, Giselle was Karsavina, and after, Pavlova). Moreover, in this Royal Ballet version, Giselle commits suicide “discreetly” by pricking her heart with the sword (4:24).

[@maries3433]

I am so happy you talked about Giselle. Few months ago I had the chance to see it and then at my adult ballet class we practice act two The Willies. You make my day.🌹

[@teresagabriela5806]

Yes please! More ballet scene reactions!

[@gaylesmith7849]

The first ballet I ever saw was the recording of Giselle with Margot Fonteyn and Nureyev. Stunning, and Giselle has always been my favourite ballet since.

[@namtellectjoonal7230]

I would love to see more commentaries on ballets

[@JulieShock]

My great grandmother did. Her husband was found dead in the snow after being missing for 2 days. A year later she passed with no reason according to the drs.

[@sandragn3361]

So glad Josephine picked Yasmine Naghdi & Matthew Ball's version of Romeo & Juliet! It was that version that got me back into watching ballet 😍

[@meister1210]

Yes, please do more like this.

[@xellacard]

I adore this new video and I hope you make it a series! I would love to see your reaction to the “rite of spring” specifically a performance using the traditional costuming and choreography. Rite of spring is my all time favorites and the choreography is so shockingly different! I also really wonder about the shoes! Thanks again for always making wonderful videos! You really refueled my interest in ballet as an adult!

[@winciedoffing1433]

I love this video!! Please do more of these types of reaction videos!!

[@bernadetteballerina9358]

Shakeapeare’s tragedy! Also, the😮 ballet I saw- Royal London Ballet with Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev! I was 5 and in love with ballet. Inspired 30 years of 🩰 ballet and modern dance for me!

[@wendymontie5660]

Giselle is my absolute favorite ballet. My late Auntie danced it and it was phenomenal.

[@feerahuri4184]

Osipova is sooo amazing in Giselle! I love that you chose this scene. And yes I hate Albrecht too 😂

[@ahamilton4021]

Yaaas, please react to more ballets.... "get away... no...." her reactions are Real Time.

[@fierywomanpacnw7004]

I LOVE your commentary !!! Your new son (welcome to the world, btw) is so lucky to have you to tell him stories. More please!

[@GoodbyeRubyTu3sday]

6:55 Doctor here. Yes, although EXTREMELY rare you could die of a broken heart. The condition is called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (also known as broken heart syndrome), an acute emotional stress-induced heart condition which is in most cases reversable, but could lead to fatal complications such as a cardiac rupture.

[@imibimihayward4133]

Yes please do more I love this

[@colleentamblyn1534]

I need Josephine to narrate all ballets now. Yes that would be lovely, thank you. 🩷💛🩷💛

[@christinacody8653]

3:25 mow you've got me curious. What would you change up? There's a lot that is SERIOUSLY outdated. I'm guessing one of the things you'd change out of that scene is the lack if friend's support. I'm here for that!

[@denisehill7769]

Other productions I've seen, the Duke escorts his daughter away at the start of the mad scene - which seems more feasible than them hanging around gawping (and her watching her betrothed with Giselle too). I love Acosta in this role, he comes across perfectly!

[@Valexa95326]

I would love to see more videos like this

[@traceyschuster7067]

More of these commentating are narrating. Love it!

[@isabelleblanchet3694]

Yes you can die of a broken heart. My grand-mother ended up in the hospital because of broken heart when my uncle suddenly died of a massive heart attack at 50 (20 years ago).

[@lisalovesphotography]

Definitely need more of these videos, please!! (But don’t hold back on your thoughts so much, ha ha! 😆)

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

I really enjoyed the commentary. Please do more videos in which you explain the ballets to make them accessible to the non-ballet community. Thx.

[@NightWink129]

I love your commentary, Josephine! XD Your reactions are hilarious! 2:38 What I don't get (aside from obvious performance and storytelling reasons) is why they always block Giselle from leaving the area. I mean, if this were a legit moment, everyone there would let her flee to go process her emotions. They wouldn't halt her and "push her back into the ring."

[@shyeahright]

Seeing Giselle performed in Dancers is the whole reason I wanted to dance! Love love love this ballet, I go every time it’s in town. 💕💕

[@amyralls6218]

I so wish you had been around when I was dancing en pointe! I needed shoes that were far different than the shoes I was provided! If I had shoes that worked better for me, I may have gone further with my pointe dance! I did end up finding modern dance and interpretive dance, and I really enjoyed that.

[@lisetteperdomo4643]

Im already crying 😢 por Giselle....❤

[@colelowe2122]

I'm not a doctor, but my dad is a biologist. Though extremely rare, there have been a few instances of someone dying from a "broken heart". The explanation is that your physical body and your emotions are strongly tied. It's why you have a "gut feeling" or something "warms your heart" or you get butterflies in your stomach when you like someone. A person's emotions can be so strong that it causes heart palpitations. Your body is usually able to recover just fine, but if you had a preexisting condition or complication you didn't know about, strong emotions can lead to overworking your organs. That's also why when someone is elderly or already has complications with their health, others are instructed to not over exite them.

[@Maggie_meee]

I feel like professional ballerina's are really good actors like how!?

[@Deeejayd1]

I loved this. I've always struggled with the translation of ballet and it would be amazing if you could do a similar video like this one again please :)

[@ginacarver9389]

I love ballet ., I love Josephine !!!! I would be her best friend !! I love her comments!!! 100%

[@karenbignell7060]

I want to see Josephine Lee’s reworked “Giselle”!!! I think after Albrecht breaks Giselle’s heart, her friends should take her to The Point Shop to get fitted for new pointe shoes and a good pep talk. 😊

[@cindylopez3064]

Hello, I am a dancer, and I got a ballet scholarship! I am so proud of myself. Watching these videos make me laugh.

[@charlottebridges6869]

In the mid 1970s I witnessed Margot Fontaine dance the “Romano and Juliet” pas de deux (sp) she was fantastic.. I was in my mid twenties and she was doing a USA tour..❤❤❤

[@serenitygoodwyn]

Broken Heart Syndrome also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a real thing and in rare cases can be fatal. For all intents and purposes looks like a heart attack (on electrocardiogram and blood tests) but without the associated blockage. Provided the person survives, they will usually make a full recovery within a few weeks without lasting damage to their heart.

[@bunnierivera3754]

Oh yeah please! Keep up with the ballet clips!

[@furygeist]

Definutely need a Josephine cliff notes for ballet cuz I don't know many of the stories and without speaking bits, it can be a bit confusing.

[@nooripuss1]

I would love to see/hear your reactions to a pas de deux, in Act I, I think, from The Firebird.

[@marymiller8370]

Ok- I love this from you. Love your take on this performance. Better than the old MTV show “ Pop Up Video”

[@lizlilliman3644]

Edward scissorhands, we watched it recently and is a great ballet, so much happening in it. We where near the front and got snowed on. The male dancer who was edward had studied at the performing arts school my daughter goes to. When ballets come into town they rent the ballet studio as its the largest sprung floor in hull uk.

[@louyeo4210]

I have goosebumps from the Romeo and Juliet ballet. One of my favourites. She is a stunning dancer. Her feet are beautiful. ❤

[@queenbee202rose6]

It’s beautiful

[@ajs_03]

in fifth grade i saw alabama ballet rehearse romeo and juliet and i fell in LOVE

[@carsilk2492]

My grandpa apparently died from a broken heart. My grandma passed and he basically threw in the towel, and was gone a couple months later. I'd imagine that's a pretty common scenario with grandparents, though.

[@MaximGhost]

This is the first time I've seen this ballet, though I've seen lots of operas with the same tragic elements. This definitely felt more like a Giuseppe Verdi opera but without the lyrics. From my perspective, it was an interesting fusion.

[@justynagosk9038]

So I am not a doctor but I know that there is a condition called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy also known as a Broken Heart Syndrome, its when the heart muscle become stunned or weakened and it's induced by a lot of stress or some trauma. This is usually temporary but can also cause death in severe cases. Hope it helps, love your videos!

[@carolynsteele9929]

I loved this!!!

[@Toomanydogs7]

I love this video I didn't know about the story of Giselle I love that you're explaining this all to us and then your little spicy comments or just awesome more of this please yes please. ❤

[@marinalodi6313]

The men in Giselle are the worst LOL The prince I don't even have to say anything, but the other guy, the hunter, who likes her, Is a jerk too!! He is the one who blew everything up, and told Giselle in that awful way that the prince was lying to her. I'm all team willies on that

[@katekane-laborde6153]

How do I feel? I feel like Josephine (with Point Shop) should narrate every ballet! 🤣

[@antonioloma2327]

6:35 That's similar to the premise of "Don Juan Tenorio" (classical Spanish theater) but the gitl's father dies too. We have 2 versions: in one (the typical in Spain) the ghost of the father tries to take the guy to Hell with him but the girl comes from Heaven and saves him (so similar to Giselle ... why girl why?). In the second version the father's ghost actually takes the guy to Hell. I prefer this second one ... and Mozart too ("Don Giovanni").

[@Rachel-art-and-design]

I think you can die from a broken heart. Broken heart syndrome. It was said that Debbie Reynolds died from a broken heart when Carrie fisher died.

[@chrisstoltz1617]

Have you ever seen shen Yung? The show is worth going to. A lot of dance, some traditional Chinese, some modern. It is a bit of a commentary on some of the things that have happened or are happening in China

[@mayanderes9084]

Josephine, you and I LITERALLY need to watch movies together!!!!! Because we have the SAME EXACT reactions 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 “Ew, don’t touch her!” “No, you don’t get to be sad now jerk-face” 🤣🤣 You had me rolling because we are just alike in our commentary!

[@FleshGolem420]

I was fortunate enough to see Jasmine Jimison as Giselle. She was amazing.

[@divab63]

Giselle as a ballet always pissed me off but Natalia is amazing. But the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene… chef’s kiss❤

[@fierywomanpacnw7004]

To die of a broken heart: the Liebestod (love-death) that is the ending of the opera Tristan und Isolde.

[@carolyncuesta774]

I love everything about this vide

[@CuriousMe_JK]

I'm getting Pointe shoes for the first time!!

[@Leriehane]

I love how Josephine is so salty about the dude who hurt Giselle lmao

[@TinyDancers101]

We love you Josephine ❤️❤️