What’s the Pointe?
Rosie Hall is a local girl who always wanted to be a ballet dancer. I have known her father for many years and he has spoken of her with pride. It wasn’t until recently when he showed me a small video of her dancing that I understood just how good she is and gorgeous as well. She has danced locally with the Moscow City Ballet in The Nutcracker at Chichester Theatre so you might have seen her.
“Dancing is one of the most rewarding art forms and is a gift to which I can bring joy to others and allow them to escape reality”
To quote Rosie “dancing is one of the most rewarding art forms and is a gift to which I can bring joy to others and allow them to escape reality”.
I was fascinated to learn that she can wear out a pair of pointe shoes in a week. These shoes need a lot of preparation before she can use them, from sewing on the ribbons and elastic, to special treatment inside. The shiny exterior conceals the complex elements of its construction. I was excited when I was offered one of her used pointe shoes to upcycle.
This was a challenge and it took me a while to work out how to decorate the shoe without detracting from its beauty. In the end, I embroidered some butterflies onto water-soluble material, using some nail polish as a base, then after carefully wetting the finished work I had the delicate butterflies to attach. Beads were then added to finish the effect. I would love to do more, maybe it should be a rose next time.
Rosie is soon to join The Northern Ballet Company and I wish her all the best and hope that before long she will be dancing locally so I can see her.
Pointe means a dance performed on the tips of the toes. The purpose of dancing en-pointe is to make the ballerinas appear weightless as they move across the stage.