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Original poster

Why do ballet dancers bash up pointe shoes ?

82 replies

Marchintospring · 04/02/2024 22:52

I get they need to break them in. However so much is talked about the skill and craftmanship behind making them and obviously they cost a fortune.
Then the dancer breaks the back of them, bashes the block to bits and spends edges sewing the bottom ( let alone the ribbons which you think would be on already).
I don't get it.

OP posts:

CaribouCarafe · 05/02/2024 23:31

aitchteeaitch · 05/02/2024 23:20

One or two wear them in a Midsummer Night's Dream I think. Can't remember which though.

Show quote history

I think Bottom does

NeedWineNow · 05/02/2024 23:35

@bunnsy Ah right, my mistake!

Cappuccinfortwo · 06/02/2024 07:52

KatyMac · 05/02/2024 22:55

And only very recently (2018? maybe) have they come in any other colour than pink for 'normal' shoes - for non white dancers

True but also I have never met anyone who has the skin colour of pink pointe shoes. Until it was pointed out I hadn't realised they were meant to be close to skin colour.

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Clothing

Twinklewonderkins · 06/02/2024 07:58

@CaribouCarafe @aitchteeaitch he does insist that some male parts have pointe.
I wondered if it was wishful thinking cos he loves the dressing up/costume part of dance.
He used to be majorly envious of the girls costumes when he was little.
He danced a glittery snow king at Xmas and was in his element.

quisensoucie · 06/02/2024 09:29

CaribouCarafe · 04/02/2024 23:00

Company/professional dancers may not have time to fully break in a new pair of pointe shoes before they next need them so will need to break them in earlier by bashing them/removing part of shank etc. A single pair of pointe shoes may only last one performance.

Furthermore, they're not tailored to the ballerina's foot - so those who know their requirements well may remove part of the shank etc to account for the strength of their feet and level of support they need. Ribbons will be a matter of personal preference as well in terms of style and placement, so it makes sense for the dancer to choose where they go rather than having a default. Sewing the pointe of the shoe can allow for better balance and grip if required but not all dancers will want/need this.

Your average ballet student beginning on pointe won't need to go through the above process as they have time between lessons/during lessons for the shoe to break in fully.

Professional dancers' shoes are often provided for free by the company they dance for, so the cost isn't much of a consideration to the dancer themselves - they just need to ensure they can dance well and safely

Edited

Pointe shoes are custom made; Freed of London make most of them
Of course, for the corps de ballet, they may not be so highly customised

Merrow · 06/02/2024 09:35

This is a really fantastic podcast episode about it all (from the always fantastic Articles of Interest). From memory she interviews Gaynor Minden.

On Pointe

The design puzzle of ballet shoes

https://articlesofinterest.substack.com/p/on-pointe

Saschka · 06/02/2024 09:50

garlictwist · 05/02/2024 16:37

I must say that, before this thread, I had never actually thought about how ballet dancers dance on their toes. Are you saying there's a block of wood inside the shoe that their toes balance on? How is that possible? As someone with bunions, arthritic toes and frequent foot stress fractures, I cannot imagine exerting that force through my toe.

It’s more like their toes slide into a hard glove that holds them straight and transfer the force to the rest of the foot.

And yes I have bunions/hallux valgus and it does mean I can’t dance on pointe. The weight doesn’t transfer through my big toe properly, causes too much pain in the joint.

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