Lisa O`Brien Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Somebody today left me a message on my You Tube page,"My Collection of Decorated and Coloured Pointe Shoes". She was in Canada,and told me a leading ballet school, when holding an open day ,open to members of the public,allowed ANYONE of any age to try on pointe shoes. I was quite surprised to hear this. The person replied it was only for that one day,but that,yes,this top ballet school let anyone of any age try their pointe shoes on. Is this unusual, a cultural [Canadian] thing, or what? I was just really,really surprised they would do that. Unless the girl is telling porkies,of course. What do others think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I think it is probably an open day for anyone to look around and perhaps try on costumes/shoes but without letting them "try them out". I know it is different but I've seen hands-on costume exhibitions where people can try on some stuff. When the Theatre Museum was still in Covent Garden we could have tried on costumes from NB's R&J (one might have gone on my arm) and I was made up (facially) to look like an 18th century actress! All in good fun, of course! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 I think it is probably an open day for anyone to look around and perhaps try on costumes/shoes but without letting them "try them out". I know it is different but I've seen hands-on costume exhibitions where people can try on some stuff. When the Theatre Museum was still in Covent Garden we could have tried on costumes from NB's R&J (one might have gone on my arm) and I was made up (facially) to look like an 18th century actress! All in good fun, of course! Yes,but for anyone to try on pointe shoes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletqs Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I remember going on a dance school trip to watch a ballet and do a class with London Festival Ballet when I was about 7, they let a couple of the group try on pointe shoes and a tutu. They were only allowed to put one foot up. I was devastated as they only picked the girls with blonde hair in a bun. My hair was very short at the time. It was my first experience of favouritism as my teacher urged a couple of girls forward but that was it I was determined if there was a next time I would get to try a shoe!! I'm the only one in the group who ever danced as a career and the only one who got to wear them for real! So I can believe they would do this supervised. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 Oh I see. Sounded a bit odd to me.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Yes,but for anyone to try on pointe shoes? Why not? If they're just trying them ON, not trying them OUT, as Janet suggests (isn't the English language wonderful?). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellini Pointe Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 This happened with a BRB family event last year at the Lowry . Costumes for the children to try on or just to look at and also a box of used Pointe Shoes.They were allowed very briefly to rise up in them one foot at a time only . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 just went to your YT page and see that the RWB did in fact let people try them on and even try to go on pointe (although she didn't say whether anyone was supervising who could try to stand in them) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I think anyone untrained who tried to go up on pointe would very quickly decide it wasn't a good idea, and come right back down! It's not as if they're doing chaine turns or pirouettes or anything unsupported (your poster said she held on to the barre). I doubt they could do serious damage in those circumstances. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primrose Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Wow schools are leaving themselves wide open to being sued if some bright spark rises up then twists an ankle. Not worth the risk. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Perhaps there's a sign "try on/out at your own risk!" Sometimes in Infant schools there is a dressing up corner .....usually part of some related theme these days.....but sometimes there are adult heeled shoes there and children do try and move around in these (as some do at home of course) Though (unbelievably) have been already retired for three years now I wonder if this still happens or has been banned for Health and Safety reasons by now! In the instance above perhaps if there is supervision it may be okay but better to say try on and not out I think .....it can still be revelatory for non dancers as some are still convinced that there are wooden blocks I the end of pointe shoes!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HumflyDumfly Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I was in a sports superstore recently with my daughter and there were random pointe shoes just piled in a wire basket for anyone to buy, they were all dirty as no doubt lots of people had been trying them on (and out!) for a laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 That's unbelievable! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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