The Dark Side of Ballet Schools - Panorama investigation

[taxi4ballet]

Panorama programme on BBC1 this evening at 8pm, also available on i-player. An investigation into eating disorders and mental health issues suffered by young dancers in full-time ballet training, including the Royal Ballet School.

This really is required watching for anyone whose dc is interested in becoming a professional dancer - and not just ballet either. This sort of thing happens in other performing arts establishments too, although those are not covered by this programme.

“None of this is “new or modern” - true, but what is “new” in the last decade or two is the practice of photoshopping ballet dancers’ feet and bodies. The poor girl whose RBS upper school teacher said “this is what I’d cut off, if I could”, meaning “I’d get rid of your bum, and your leg muscles” reminded me of the school of Ballet Theatre UK and the BTUK company, who have been photoshopping pictures of their students and dancers for several years now, to “improve” their lines. These are in the public domain and are “before” and “after”.

Yep! Absolutely shocking, aren’t they. What message does that send to young dancers or students? “Muscles not permitted”.

If it's true that girls are getting taller and bigger, is there pressure on the male dancers who lift them to get bigger (more muscle bound) and stronger? A preference for taller boys and men? Or are we just asking the girls to rewind to the 30s and 40s and somehow remain petite?

I would be interested to know if there has been a change, though men do usually need to be fairly tall to partner someone on pointe. I think people like Darcey Bussell and Sylvie Guillem (former around 5ft 7) would have more trouble securing a taller partner in the UK, but I can't quite remember.

I know of one UK ballet company, who I shan't name, who until recently had a height max of 5ft 4 ish for women, which if unchanged seems terribly old fashioned to be requesting when they claim to be progressive in other areas. Though the same place uses the code for thin for young dancers and associates.

Though I agree with the dancers from the Panorama programme that code for being thin is used. So they'll talk about fitness and so on.

Weight and height of child is sometimes still asked for on audition forms (where photos are included). We were asked as recently as last year.

It is shocking. Young dancers will aspire to achieve these ideals when they’re not even an accurate representation. Photoshop really!

BTUK was on our list of potential schools (post 16) for one of my DC.

@balloni I think I know the ballet company you are thinking of regarding height limit for female dancers. I asked someone in the know, and apparently it was because at the time of inviting auditionees, their existing male dancers were not particularly tall, so that was what was causing the requirement for shorter female dancers. When en pointe, it adds several inches to the woman's height, and makes partnering more difficult. At least that company is not quite so rigid in its approach when it comes to aesthetic line and natural female curves.

Personal opinion; if it were me, I would steer well clear. Rambert School, on the other hand, has an excellent reputation for student care.

😲
That "after" picture of the girl in the fairy costume looks so odd, the head is so out of proportion. There was nothing wrong with the original pictures. They looked like humans doing amazing things. The photoshopped version is a computer-generated, slightly disturbing ,not very relatable fantasy.

I don't get it. For me ballet should be about gracefulness, tetechnique, rhythm, the telling of a story and conveying of feelings through dance. Physical fitness, strength, flexibility and yes beauty come into it - extreme thinness isn't essential.

Whoever photoshopped those pictures clearly doesn't agree with me and has lost sight of what humans look like.

A friend's daughter goes to School of American Ballet, and the emphasis there is very different - they have weekly nutrition seminars on the importance of food as fuel, and how they have to eat to avoid energy deficiency, and if they aren't thought to be eating properly they have 1:1 nutritionist support. Why are the UK schools so far behind?

Exactly what I used to try to drum into my daughter when she was dancing. That cars can’t run without fuel, and nor can bodies.

Haha yes, as if AI had generated a photo but got it wrong. It’s actually freakish. Poor dancers!

Why are the UK schools so far behind?

It isn't just a UK thing. It's a ballet thing. Obviously some schools are much better than others but similar abuse is common in schools and companies all over the world.

Here's examples in the U.S, Austria, Australia and New Zealand to name but a few.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/stage-and-theatre/100421852/humiliating-weighins-at-ballet-schools-dancers-tell-of-their-eating-disorder-battless_

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/ballet-alice-robb-ellen-oconnell-whittet//_

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-22/ballet-dancing-trauma-eating-disorders-mental-health-education/1018220922_

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/19/europe/vienna-opera-house-abuse-report-scli-intl/index.htmll_

The UK schools have this too.

Ironic really considering SAB was founded by Balanchine who was arguably the person who inventd this particular aesthetic

What the academic staff say to the students in their classes about nutrition and what the dance teachers say to the students in class is not necessarily the same thing.

@Comefromaway yes and no though - surely Balanchine was bringing across the aesthetic that was already popular in society of the early 20s? The flapper movement brought in the boyish, ultrathin body trend first, I would think?

I have always said I would support my kids in their hobbies and not be 'that mum' in any way, either over encouraging them or the other way round. But both DH and I agreed that ballet and gymnastics were a no-go. Whatever they like except those two. It's not worth it. Yes bullying and weight shaming can happen in many activities but with these 2 it seems rife.
Those poor girl (and boys).

So the 'look' takes priority?

But then how do they expect someone to be able to perform so rigously and in exhausting routines and do all the moves they need to do?

I dont get it really.

And who invented 'the look', why is it there?

@bellac11 If you Google 'what is classical line in ballet' and then choose 'images', it will show plenty of examples of what it looks like. As for who invented it, nobody did. The human eye possibly, as the proportions and graceful shapes created by the dancers' bodies appear pleasing to look at. You might also like to search for 'golden ratio in the human body'. which goes some way to explaining why human brains find certain shapes and proportions appealing.

Some choreographers and artistic directors of ballet companies (who employ the dancers) have a tendency to prefer the adolescent female form over the adult one. I think someone mentions the name 'Balanchine' upthread. He was one who favoured tall slim dancers. Overly muscular thighs or normal-sized boobs affect the 'line'.

None of that, of course, could in any way excuse the mistreatment of children, all of whom have already been pre-selected from among thousands as they have the right 'look' already. Thing is though, children in full-time ballet training grow and change shape just the same as everybody else. Some of them - well it all came out in the programme.

@bellac11 I suppose ballet is about making shapes with the body. and curves 'spoil' the shapes.
Dancers are expected to ignore pain and discomfort and push on through. Many will develop injuries or give up, Gelsey Kirkland wrote about taking drugs to manage.
Balanchine made the lean look popular. it is said. One could also see it as another form of female oppression - like the corset. Male dancers suffer too, but some men always have under the patriarchy,

Ballet has a particular aesthetic as well, paralleling white, western ideas of beauty. Other world dance forms don't require dancers to be so thin.

Agreed the program was shocking and so very sad but it is not surprising to anyone who knows anything about this world.

As a parent I would have very serious reservations about sending my child to one of these schools. I understand the need to provide opportunity if they have a talent but sending 11 year olds to board in this environment where an unnatural amount of perfection is required is just too high a risk.

Isn't the problem ballet itself?

Interesting point. In flamenco looks and size have zero importance, so long as you dance on the beat and convey feeling.

@DewinDwl I don't know much about flamenco, but it sounds like a healthier attitude. Once saw some dancers with Paco Pena, though, and they radiated power and confidence and were certainly not waifs!