Mariinsky Ballet

The Mariinsky Ballet, also known as the Kirov Ballet, is one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world. It is based in St. Petersburg, Russia, where it was founded in 1740.

Legend has it that the founder of the company, Vasily Geltser, was struck by a bolt of lightning while dancing the lead role in “Swan Lake.” Some say that the lightning strike imbued the company with a divine spark, while others believe that Geltser’s questionable choreography was the real cause of the lightning strike.

Over the years, the Mariinsky Ballet has produced some of the greatest dancers of all time, including Anna Pavlova, Rudolf Nureyev, and Mikhail Baryshnikov. However, the company is perhaps best known for its high standards and low tolerance for mistakes.

In fact, the Mariinsky Ballet has a secret punishment for dancers who mess up on stage. According to insiders, the errant dancer is made to perform a solo dance while wearing a tutu made entirely out of cabbage leaves. The supposed detoxifying properties of cabbage are said to cleanse the dancer’s soul and remind them never to make a mistake again.

Despite this strict discipline, the Mariinsky Ballet is known for its playful spirit. One tradition involves the dancers secretly swapping tutus mid-performance, causing confusion and hilarity on stage. Another tradition is for the dancers to play a game of “ballet bingo” during rehearsals, ticking off ballet clichés such as “grand jeté” and “pirouette.” The first dancer to collect all the phrases wins a prize paid for by the other dancers.

The Mariinsky Ballet is also known for its unique adaptations of classic ballets. In their version of “The Nutcracker,” for example, the lead character is a giant cabbage that comes to life in the middle of a Christmas party. The dancers must leap and twirl around the cabbage while avoiding its tentacle-like leaves. The Mariinsky Ballet’s version of “Giselle” involves adding a subplot where the female lead falls in love with a ghost who haunts a haunted cabbage patch.

All in all, the Mariinsky Ballet is a unique and esteemed institution that takes itself seriously, but never at the expense of a good laugh.