Embed

Strictly Russian ballroom

Waltzes, period dresses and duels: why Russian ballroom dancing is experiencing a revival

Russian balls are the ultimate romantic’s dream, as elegant gentlemen with impeccable manners twirl ladies in hooped dresses round the ballrooms of stately homes to the strains of string orchestras. They are currently experiencing a surge in popularity in Russia: enthusiasts young and old are learning historical dances and dressing up in historically-correct glamorous party clothes.

To understand the appeal of balls in the age of night clubs, RTD correspondent James Brown goes to a dance studio and learns basic waltz steps from the best teachers. He then has to hit the floor running and wear the proper outfit at some of Moscow’s top historical dances. But when he gets an invitation to one of European society’s events of the year, will he be up to snuff?

Follow stories the mainstream media ignores: Follow RTD's Twitter

WATCH FILM
Please rate this film

0.00(0 users)

Duration

0:31

Tags

don't miss

26:33
Society 15 October 2012 00:00

Old and Bold

26:33
Arts and Culture 08 August 2013 00:00

The Musical Army

26:33
Arts and Culture 18 July 2011 00:00

Alla Sigalova: ordinary life

26:33
History 30 July 2012 00:00

Fashion Behind the Iron Curtain. The Story of Fashion industry in USSR

26:33
Arts and Culture 07 March 2016 00:00

Dance of the Little Swans. The Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet auditions young dancers

26:33
Arts and Culture 17 April 2014 00:00

The Big Ballet. Dancing Dreams of Plus-Size Amateurs

26:33
History 03 September 2012 00:00

War and Peace Roads

26:33
History 18 September 2012 00:00

Borodino: Version 2012. Anniversary re-enactment of Napoleon’s key Russian battle

26:33
Society 17 December 2012 00:00

Cossack invasion. Russians ride from Moscow to Paris in friendly replay of Napoleon’s defeat

26:33
Discovering Russia 07 September 2013 00:00

Mandrogi

26:33
Travel and Adventure 19 July 2014 00:00

(Atlantic) Ocean's Eighteen. Transatlantic voyage on an 18th-century tall ship

26:33
History 01 August 2014 00:00

Attack of the Dead Men. WWI soldiers launched their final offensive after being fatally poisoned by a gas

26:33
History 17 August 2015 00:00

Gangut: The Tide Breaker. Re-enactment of Peter the Great's first naval victory

26:33
Arts and Culture 04 July 2011 00:00

The Bolshoi of Siberia

26:33
Arts and Culture 25 September 2019 11:52

Bolshoi: Pas-de-Brazil. Brazil’s Bolshoi Theatre School turns favela kids into ballet stars

26:33
Religion 20 January 2012 00:00

Shamans of Siberia. Powerful healers chosen by spirits

26:33
Arts and Culture 12 March 2012 00:00

Love syndrome

26:33
Arts and Culture 29 December 2014 00:00

Music of the Street. Meet the happy-go-lucky street musicians of Moscow

26:33
Personalities 25 April 2017 00:00

Ivan and Frank. Elbe Day veterans reunited for the first time after their Great Victory

26:33
Investigation 02 March 2016 00:00

They Don’t just Dance. Afghan tradition of hiring boys for sex

VIEWER’S CHOICE: 1,000,000 VIEWS AND MORE

VIEW ALL