This evening (well, technically last night), I attended a gala performance of "International Ballet Stars." It included eighteen classical and modern pas de deux performed by principal dancers from ten companies from Europe, South- and North America.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was not the only person kilted. As far as I could tell, there was one other kilted person. One of us got thunderous applause...but it was not me.

He was Anton Korsakov of the Kirov Ballet, dancing the role of James in a spectacular pas de deux and diverstissement from La Sylphide.

La Sylphide is a classic story ballet involving love and betrayal, fairies, witches, death - all the usual plot elements. It is notable here in that it is set in Scotland, and, as far as I've been able to discern, the role of James is always performed kilted. This evening it was in front of roughly 1800 people.

I will mention in passing that there were two more MUGs from the costume department last evening: one was a kind of A-line skirt that appeared to be comprised of two giant silver petals (Tristan and Isolde); the other was a miniscule loin cloth (don't remember the dance).

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati