Giselle at American Ballet Theater

Hounding Jilters

American Ballet Theater

The best thing about the ABT's Giselle last night was when Misty Copeland fell over half way through act one. She didn't merely trip, she went head over heels from a full arabesque into being laid out flat on the floor, arms twisted and legs akimbo. I know it sounds awful, but it was actually a positive experience for the audience which howled their support for her and subsequently gave her a huge ovation whenever she appeared. As for Misty, she literally took it in her stride, patiently remaining where she lay while she regained her composure, then rising in a suitably beautiful balletic manner before throwing herself into a frenzy of perfect technique and exquisite style that rivaled the most officious Moscow ballerina whose nostrils well knew the threatening scent of sulphuric acid. Act One of Giselle doesn't matter anyway. All that happens is that Giselle dies after a lively peasant romp around some grand ladies adorned with their familiars. The substance is in Act Two where the corps de ballet outshines everything else. After all, the Willis are the most compelling act in any ballet. Nothing beats a group of ghosts who, dead from the agony of unrequited love, spend eternity pursuing jilters and hounding them to death. Nothing beats that.