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Roberto Bolle on boys and ballet

ByGramilano Reading Time: 2 minutes

Roberto BolleThe ‘s asked what is causing an increase in the numbers of boys studying ballet:

There’s been a positive trend over recent years. Films like Billy Elliot have helped, the familiarity of dancing on TV and also new media. YouTube allows you to find any video, to be informed, to make comparisons. Of course, for those who like me who are clicked on and downloaded by others, it’s not so pleasant. But that’s a another story.

Taboos have fallen. The prejudices were the result of ignorance. Today ballet is no longer seen as an elite art, but is accessible not only to professionals but to the general public as well. Even the male component of the the audience has grown – I see it every evening in the theatre.”

Crippa reminds him that he himself has become a role model:

I looked up to dancers like and . Adolescents always search for someone to set an example, such as Alberto Tomba for skiing.

She asks if it’s conceivable that male dancers might overtake the female students.

I don’t think so. To become a ballerina is a feminine ideal.

 

Photo: Roberto Bolle at the after La Bayadère – Scillystuff, Wikimedia Commons

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Graham Spicer, aka 'Gramilano', is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.

Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.

He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.

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