The Winter Social Calendar
As we dust off our knitwear and put away our sandals until next year, it’s time to look ahead at all the fabulous upcoming events that winter bring with them. Once you’ve got parties planned for all of these dates in your diary, the thought of summer will be a mere memory amidst the revelry!
Henry V, November 2013 – February 2014
Michael Grandage’s directorial season at the Noël Coward theatre culminates with the casting of his most famous protégé, Jude Law, in the title role of Shakespeare’s great patriotic romp. There’s every reason to expect great things after an excellent season of great work and Law’s star pulling power is sure to make this the hottest ticket in town over Christmas.
Tatler Bystander Ball, December 2013
If your little darlings have been nothing but good for the winter term, why not reward their excellence with a ticket to the Tatler Bystander Ball for 13-16 year olds? We’re obviously far too old and uncool to know, but apparently the hip young things will go mad for the photo booth, celeb DJs, live circus acts and free goodie bags.
Hogmanay, December 2013
If you need to get away after Christmas or simply want to start the New Year with a bang, the best place to do it is in Edinburgh. This year’s Concert in the Gardens will feature The Pet Shop Boys, whilst 80,000 revellers from around the world will descend on the city for its annual street party, complete with live music, DJs and of course fireworks. You can always temper the partying hedonism by starting New Year’s Eve with a candlelit concert at St Giles’ on the Royal Mile.
Vienna State Opera Ball, February 2014
Once a year, the Vienna State Opera is transformed into the most festive and most famous ballroom in the world – the Vienna Opera Ball. This unique festival is always the undisputed pinnacle of the ball season in Vienna, as is proven by its enormous international appeal.
After several months of planning, the whole opera house is transformed during three days preceding the ball. During the metamorphosis you can expect to see the seats in the auditorium removed and replaced by a ballroom floor; tiers of boxes installed on the empty stage; and several bars, cafés and a typical Austrian wine bar as well as a discotheque are set up.
As director Dominique Meyer explains: ‘The night before the ball the opera house is decorated with thousands of flowers. The debutantes have been rehearsing the opening choreography for many weeks. On the evening of the ball itself they will stand in perfect lines at both sides of the dance floor to watch the opening performances: First the ballet students, the corps de ballet and the first soloists will dance. Then the orchestra of the Wiener Staatsoper will perform the overture of Mozart’s The Clemency of Titus and accompany two outstanding soloists from the ensemble. Finally, the debutantes will present their choreography which is traditionally followed by the first waltz. This is the point at which the solo singers of the Wiener Staatsoper invite the ball goers to join them on the dance floor with the words “Alles Walzer”’.
Photo credits: Tatler, Edinburgh Hogmanay, Wiener Staatsoper