My husband took ballet in college. He is very manly, and very graceful. He plays tennis and baseball. Ballet gave him strength.

Nothing is more beautiful to my eye than a male ballet dancer in flight.

Men in tights are more than strength, more than athleticism, more than creativity, they are phenomenal.

Without male ballet dancers ,no ballet production would be complete. They are as essential to ballet as the air we breathe .

Years ago, I worked as a dresser backstage in a provincial theatre. After preparing my principal ready for her next scene, a short ballet sequence with two male dancers, I witnessed the strongest, bravest act I have ever seen. As my principal was lifted onto the shoulders of the two male dancers and they were entering the stage, she accidentally kicked one of them in the groin. It was not a gentle impact. The young dancer completed the entire dance without faltering and when he finally exited the stage he collapsed and had to be carried out of the wings to his dressing room. We stood in the wings and witnessed his strength and professionalism in absolute awe. That single instance changed my perception of male dancers and I hold them in the highest esteem. I will never, ever, forget that performance, or the courage of that young dancer. Strength, dedication, grace and courage is what defines these young men. The arts and our lives would be poorer without them.

I think the stigma started to fade with Mikhail Baryshnikov. He was astounding!

Glad that ballet is still alive and kicking with such inspiring dancers.

The algorithm showed me this even though I’m not interested in ballet, but I watched it and I support any man who wants to be a ballet dancer.

What those who have never attempted ballet fail to understand is the athleticism it takes. The art of ballet is making it look effortless which is deceiving. It takes a true athlete in every sense of the word. The most beautiful "sport" in the world.

She owes an apology to Prince George as well. Bullying a child is worse than vile.

Male dancers are stunning, I was always a big fan of Baryshnikov.

In 1964 (I was 13) my parents took me to Covent Garden to see Giselle, Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn. I was love struck! From then on for 3 years I went to Covent Garden nearly every Saturday pm after school to wait for return tickets to watch Nureyev/Fonteyn. again and again. I saw just about every classical ballet they did and several modern ones (Roland Petit (Paradise Lost) and another one who choreographed The Triumphs, I think it was Maurice Bejart). In my bedroom I had posters of Nureyev, no pop idols! Great to watch this video.

Male ballet dancers have nothing to be ashamed of. I would kill to look as good as they do in a pair of tights and skimpy shirt. Discipline. Strength. Poise. These are fine attributes.

as a trained ballet dancer since my youth, I find it so amusing that men who study and perform ballet are derided, especially in America. Speak to dedicated athletes, almost without exception they will tell you that ballet is a rigorous athletic art form. While in high school, I was asked by the school's football coach to provide his varsity team with weekly barre training. He knew that it would help their game. And the guys, to their credit, caught on right away that these exercises were challenging and they stepped up. people who are trained in athleticism appreciate ballet. And if I may be a bit crude, male ballet dancers are, well, more effective in other areas of their lives and their partners are quite aware of that.

Ballet dancers are the fittest of all, and graceful to boot. Glorious. Thanks heaps for sharing .

I marvel at male ballet dancers. Their athleticism, strength, stamina and fortitude is staggering. I doubt that an ordinary bloke with no fitness could last half an hour attempting ballet-they'd collapse very quickly exhausted as a lot of finesse and athletetism is required. Ordinary blokes wouldn't be so negative and sarcastic if they tried ballet! A wonderful video of male ballet. Very inspiring.😅🎉

Agree! Absolutely stunning! Amazing athleticism. What beautiful bodies these boys and men have. And the grace….love it. So gorgeous. I am so impressed. I am female and wanted to dance ballet when I was a kid, was told I was too old when I was around 8, but I always had super strong legs very agile and flexible as a young girl teen and beyond. I never cared about the looks or dress, just the music and movements. But we moved and I got no ballet classes. Instead I danced for hours in night clubs and at parties for years. And I went to medical school instead. I’m now almost 66 and still athletic. I’ve sadly injured one both of my knees, one pretty badly limiting how I can move around, but I love the gym and taking group classes. I have excellent stamina and think I could’ve been a good dancer. I certainly never, even now, get out of breath and have a resting pulse in the forties. So watching these young men brings me back to what I originally wanted to go with my knife. I think it was Swan Lake at the Royal ballet in Stockholm, Sweden that inspired me. It’s where I lived as a 6-9 year old and I didn’t care for the simplistic music of the Beatles, no I loved Tchaikovsky and Mozart etc. I still love them and many other classical,composers. Love the music! This documentary didn’t adress the music, but to me it’s paramount to express oneself with the music is such an amazing feeling. As I’m now turning 66 my ballet career would have ended likely 40 years ago or more. Perhaps not have had 3 kids. 🤷‍♀️

I grew up watching Baryshnikov in the 70s and 80s. He was an international heartthrob and I had a huge crush on him. Later Peter Martins followed in his footsteps.

Anyone who takes a single adult ballet class suddenly understands the level of insane strength, agility, and artistry ballet requires. I have seen it many times. I used to bring people I was dating to a class with me just so they’d glean the tiniest bit of what ballet takes, and what it is these guys do. They were humbled even from one little beginner class. We’d watch a ballet an and theyd be absolutely astonished at the pure athleticism. I really liked that they would share the experience with their friends who had no connection to the ballet world, and the idea of male ballet dancers as feminine would in some way be dispelled.

Our son did ballet when he was 5 before kindergarten. He was expected to be tall and uncoordinated so we wanted to instill good physical coordination early on. He’s very athletic now he’s in high school. He also sang with the boys choir age 7-8 and he still loves to sing. Music and coordination seemed linked to good educational performance.

I love man-dancers. They have this mix of power and strength and a wonderful ability to stay in the air.

Absolutely fabulous. And yes! We must continue to work hard to make sure "men in tights" is not longer a line that is used to ridicule anyone, but something that refers to athleticism, art and grace. AND that there is not just one way to be masculine and they are ALL OK and worth celebrating.

Both male and female ballet dancers make it look too easy because they do it with grace. What they do takes sheer power. To make it look like you are flying or floating would knock out most other athletes.

This was beautiful! Ballet is super cool! ✨💫🌟⭐️

Valentino is so talented. It’s beyond wrong to see these incredible individuals in a position where they cannot realize their dreams due to the constraints of what the performance “industry” dictates.

Joseph Sissens - IMPRESSIVE INSIGHT and WISDOM, coupled with zealous fire to zap out mediocre people with their mediocre world views impinging on him. Well done. Keep it up Joseph, you rule !

Thank you for this absolutely lovely presentation. And who can forget Baryshnikov’s dancing and jumps, my sister and mother ran into him in an elevator in NYC and couldn’t stop talking about him and his jumps. We all remember him. Amazing. And now we have young Vadim and several others, absolutely gorgeous men. 👏👏

The Algobots are doing well for me lately and I thank them. This was pure joy.

Greek Gods... so true. Ballet dancers don't skip leg day, their entire physique and carriage is amazing. My first crush on an older man was a ballet dancer, he was perfection!

Fantastic production ... thank you so very much

Training as the dancers do today, he would be as great a star, present day. In his day, Nureyev enlarged the scope for male dancers and created great interest, his incredible charisma, masculine physicality, his strikingly handsome face, general greatness. He had flaws, but not when he danced. Love the magnificence and perfection of The Royal Ballet. Much enjoyed, Thank You.

I think of grace, movement, making the impossible, possible. Awe inspiring. I married a ballet dancer!

There was an amazing program I’ve been trying to find on watching this, that had a bunch of top grade rugby players have a go at a ballet warm up and exercise class, not a dance rehearsal, just an exercise class and they came away with a huge amount of respect for dancers!

Just wonderfully produced - thank you so very much! If only these twits who think ballet is all tutu's, should be ashamed of themselves! Knowledge gentlemen, is power!!

I love ballet, always have. I love watching it. The men are stunning to watch. So athletic and strong.

Wonderfully informative and entertaining. More of this sort of documentaries please.

Valentino has produced some wonderful choreography already, so expressive of the music. Hope he is given more scope in the future ,

Male ballet dancers are beautiful 😍 especially in their rehearsal gear.

At age 45, Ed Watson gave his final performance as ROH principal in November 2021 as the lead in the Dante Project. He gave a stellar performance. As a dancer, he was not a classical powerhouse dancer, though he performed well in princely roles. But has a unique physicality and rare kinesthetic genius that is unmatched. I'm happy he and ROH choreographer Wayne McGregor found each other, as theirs has been a fortuitous partnership.

The most brilliant video on ballet and its dances ………with their own feelings……. Bravo 💕💕💕💕

I love how well spoken everyone is. I'm a ballet dancer but my father was a football player & loved sports. I was also the odd one out in my family.

The Royal Ballet is not only (in my opinion) the world's greatest company, it seems to be the happiest as well.

Ballet dances are on a par with any other athlete. Just as in football, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, and tennis, to be a good athlete, it takes power and control. Each has its own aesthetic as well.

I think Valentino Zucchetti is a delightful dancer, whose grace, precision, and charm is evident in his work. I look forward to seeing his choreographed works, and hope ROH offers him more opportunities to showcase his talents.

A lovely film, talented, hard-working young men! ❤

In 1979 and 1980 I had the honor and privilege toperform with tge Dutch National ballet, as a young singer, The corps needed four young, thin sopranos to mingle with the corps when they had to sing during the performance. I have never felt such joy and fulfilment since then I've never made fun if people who, to me are so obviously strong, graceful, beautiful doing their thing.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Excellent look inside the world of young men in the Royal Ballet today.

What wonderful men......in so many ways.😊

I watched the whole video, and I have to say that I am quite intrigued with men taking initiative to fight against the stereotypes and challenges. I am really proud of them!

Being a male ballet dancer takes enormous strength. Very athletic!!

Fantastic program. I'm constantly impressed by the male dancers when I attend the ballet, and marvel at thier strength and agility. Wow.

What a great show. As a for,er professional (Female) ballet dancer, I have always admired the men and the talent, athleticism and artistry it takes to succeed in ballet. Amazing all the recent comments and that this is just showing up for me. ❤️

This is the time for the Male Ballet Dancer, he is the Star coming from behind the Ballerina to the fore. Dancer Noble.

Diana would have been thrilled that her grandson George wanted to dance ballet. She'd probably have taken him to class. Coordination, strength, flexibility, balance, body awareness, expression, good posture, and grace are all good in life no matter where or how you get it.

This is Awesome ! Have always been a big fan of ballet and had mad respect for the male dancers.. had a poster of Nureyev in my room as a young girl ❤❤❤❤ i am70 😊

Johaar Mosaval a South African ballet dancer, last performance with the Royal Ballet, as a senior principal dancer. danced the role of the Blue Bird pas a de deux with solo at age 48 in 1974. He retired from The Royal Ballet in 1975.

Absolutamente maravilloso y perfecto en su dirección, producción y edición, música, etc. Etc. BRAVOO!!! Un sólo alcance, si NUREYEV existiera hoy, hubiera entrenado desde los 6 años con todo el apoyo afectivo, económico y en libertad, sin q asesinos lo estuvieran acosando, les aseguro q SI sería el mejor del mundo!! Lo amaremos SIEMPRE! Muchas gracias ❤

I miss seeing Steven McRae dance, as his dancing is marked by speed, precision, and charm. I admire his work ethic and steely determination to address his untimely injuries straight on, never hesitating to get the best care for his physical and mental rehabilitation. As shown in the film, the love he has for his beautiful wife and children is a comfort and a motivator in his life.

Funny story from back in the day when I was at the San Francisco Ballet school in the 60s. Nureyev had arrived in town and of course everybody was going to go see him. Imagine our surprise next day when we show up for class and the story spread like wildfire. One of our beloved teachers Madame Liudmila Shollar, who had danced at Diaghilev (with her partner Anatole Vilzak) had been at the performance. She apparently went backstage and shook her finger at Rudi. Told him he needed to clean up his pirouettes or he was going to fall on his ass. 😂

Wonderful program. Male dancers deserve so much respect and I think finally they are beginning to get it. To know ballet is to know the hard work and effort that goes into the body to make it able to perform. The pain and suffering both emotional and physical takes a special kind of strength in those who dance. I take my hat off to each and every one of them, they are all stars no matter where they are in the pecking order of the company.

I was fortunate to see the Royal Danish Ballet many years ago in New York. I was blown away by the athleticism of this predominately male ballet troupe as they danced many different stories, quite a few of them military in theme and story. I have never made the slightest suggestion that they are anything but very, very manly.

What they do is amazing. I am deeply impressed by anyone who can train their body to do such incredible acts of strength and beauty.

It is interesting, there were two movies about ballet in year 2000. British Bill Elliott, set in 80's, stereotyp, boys don't do ballet, (but very beautiful,) and USA Center stage, where principal is almost rockstar. Everybody who makes living dancing has my deep respect.

Obviously the men have great bodies and they are very athletic and this profession takes such discipline.

A beautiful video, thank you. Men in ballet really do need to be in the spotlight more.

what a fabulous celebration of the wonderful atheletes and performers that these dancers are - surely there are few people more talented - combining incredible physical ability with glorious artistry and storytelling 😃

I grew up watching Nureyev and Barishnikov. I am really glad male ballet dancers are getting popular again. I used to be glued to the tv when the greats of my day danced. Also, when I was growing up, football players took ballet for agility and strength.

Sharon here: If you equate the male ballet dancer with a Scottish highland warrior, the Scots had to prove their worthiness by the requirements of highland dancing. Male strength coupled with grace and elegance of movement is fascinating to look upon.

A fantastic,eye opening report🙏👏

Wonderful documentary, I took ballet a short time with Maria who's family lived near Lake ERIE OHIO, I wish I could have continued....but anwayin Florida mostly since I 13 yrs. Old, life problems have led me in all kinds of different directions 😢thank you for lovely informative documentary on men doing ballet, I have fond memories of childhood doing ballet just short time, taught me to discipline myself. ❤ self care most important but so is self motivation in all things. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU IN VIDEO, GOD BLESS. DO THIS WHILE YOUR YOUNG TO THE FULLEST !!!🎉

Male ballet dancers are astonishing ! Always have been…

I was fortunate enough to see Edward Villella (who had formerly lettered in baseball and been a championship boxer) dance with the NYC Ballet many years ago. Spectacular! I remember, too when Lynn Swann an NFL wide receiver with the Pittsburg Steelers, took ballet to help home be a better footballer. Never thought ballet for men was effeminate.

Beautiful documentary!

These dancers are superb elite athletes. 💚

Takes a lot of strength and talent.

Ballet as male is wonderful , strong talented, impressive. I was biggest fan of male dancers !! We would so miss them.

Ballet, when it gets in your blood never leaves. Precise movement, when accomplished, is a work of art and a gift from God

I love the ‘little bit of Muffin top’ not an inch!

The intersection of athleticism and grace is epitomized in ballet. Seeing the tremendous leaps that male dancers can do and the precision of the end of the movements....there's nothing that rivals this.

Powerful Documentary Thank You 😊

thank you very much for sharing it! I certainly love those men on tights. They all have my respect and admiration.

❤️❤️❤️ endlich !! das war wohl höchste zeit für diese wunderbare dokumentation ! nur schade, dass menschen die immer noch mit diesen vorurteilen behaftet sind, sich die doku nicht anschauen….tänzer, immer noch und immer wieder einer der schönsten berufe überhaupt !!

Just WOW! Inspiring! Massive respect! 🙌🙌🙌

Wonderful video. Love watching the men-the strength, power, artistry. When they leap, it looks as if they remain in the air for a couple seconds. When I was young, I was embarrassed to watch them-but they grew on me. Didn’t know until very recently re: the need for ballet-specific supportive, protective undergarments-yet this is comparable to items worn by male athletes in many other sports.

The narrator is absolutely right, ballet dancers are like Olympian gods. Nowadays I see countless men in tights, running, cycling, working out in the gym. I do believe the "stigma" has remained only in the most ignorant and narrow minds.

People who criticise male dancers have no idea what athletes they are. Not only do they have supreme strength and grace, they are also artists in their own right. Where would ballet be without them?

I love all the men who came out in support of prince George in times square.

It is very hard work and always with a smile.

Wow! So good, I've been wanting to see this for a long time, and I'm glad I found it when looking for World Ballet Day 21. Thanks, men in tights!

At 34:15....I attended Jaqueline Dupre's final concert. She wore a flaming red gown, her long hair flying about as she almost attacked her cello. Her untimely death due to MS was very, very sad and unforgettable.

T takes great physical strength to be a male ballet dancer completely against the somewhat fey stereotype 🤗🌼🌸🤗🌼 x

I have a friend who is an orthopedic surgeon. At one point he attended the injuries of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and The Pittsburgh Ballet. He said the football players wanted to be sidelined with minor injuries and were whiners whereas the ballet dancers often had serious injuries and simply wanted to be taped up sp they could continue to perform...

Their athleticism is absolutely amazing.

If you ever saw Rudi Nureyev or Mikhail Baryshnikov dance, you would see very strong athletic movements and incredible high jumps that only years of exercise and dancing could produce. Great body building exercise for Prince George and all children. Lara Spencer should be ashamed to pick on children.

Joe Namath took ballet to improve his agility on the football field.

Oh I think it’s a beautiful sport!

Strong,well honed muscle. Brilliant.....aesthetically beautiful.

Ballet can just be spell-binding to watcb. A group of us went to see a contemporary ballet performance in Moscow. Most of us knew nothing about ballet, but we were amazed by the sheer athleticism and emotion. I think when people think of ballet they always think of Swan Lake etc. While this is wonderful, the more contemporary classical ballet is the more thrilling and in many ways a better entre for the uninitiated into the artform. Also it is never the same on TV as it is watching it in live in a theatre.

Male ballet dancers are magnificent and spectacular

And ballet makes the males body perfect!