Le train bleu

Scandalous, privileged, and set on the French coast (jealous!), Le Train Bleu is an indulgent one act ballet. It was originally performed by Ballet Russes in 1924 with contributions from Pablo Picasso and Coco Chanel and has left an illustrious, century-long legacy. Known for its satirization of wealthy young adulthood, Le Train Bleu rejects classical (and monogamous) love stories for a much more captivating display of fleeting summer flings.

Over 100 years on from its opening night, English National Ballet performed Le Train Bleu at V&A East Storehouse under the guidance of Stina Quagebeur. Their performance included a series of energetic pas de deux and mischievous glances towards the audience. The dancers were dressed in stripey, chanel-inspired sportswear and large sunglasses - vital, of course, inside the V&A’s darkened, intimate performance space. Throughout the piece, Picasso’s original 1924 stage curtain was hung. This vast painting of women dancing on the beach immediately set the adventurous and uninhibited tone of the piece.

Named after the luxury French train, Le Train Bleu is a fun critique of affluent young adulthood. It’s frivolous, digestible, and performed flawlessly with the technical skill (not to mention genuinely funny acting) of English National Ballet.