A world through the eyes of ballet dancer, Mario Diligente
Less than a week after World Ballet Day I spoke to dancer Mario Diligente to discuss his professional space during lockdown and the new world of ballet as we know it
In the final week of October, as yet another lockdown struck the UK, Leeds-ballet company held its first socially-distanced stage show since March.
To mark its 50th anniversary, Northern Ballet lifted the curtain once more and ushered masked dancers to the stage to perform a collection of dances from titles including Swan Lake and Giselle. These dances allowed performers, theatre staff and musicians to stick to the rule of social distancing while methodically-seated onlookers enjoyed the show.
In an interview with the BBC, artistic director of the show, David Nixon drew attention to the arts industry that has been badly affected by the pandemic, saying, “We hope that successfully holding our performances will contribute to setting a path for the curtain to lift on more live performances across the UK.”
To mark World Ballet Day on the 29th of October, professional ballet dancer Mario posted an image of himself as a young dancer to Instagram, captioning it, “I’m close to all the dancers in the world that still are not able to do their job due to the pandemic crisis. I hope things will get back to normality everywhere soon!”
Mario has experienced the effects of the pandemic on the ballet industry first hand. From cancelled performances and at-home barre classes, to outdoor rehearsals and open-air shows. Today, Mario offers a snippet into the ballet industry as it stands today, his relationship with his career and Coronavirus, and how the pandemic has brought him closer to his professional space.
Mario is a professional ballet dancer from Italy who once danced for the National Theatre of Belgrade and worked alongside Director Kostantin Kostyukov, who he thanks for the countless opportunities over their two years together.
In September 2019 Mario was accepted to work for the Croatian National Theatre of Zagreb and has been pirouetting through countless opportunities that have lead him to begin his second season with the Croation National Theatre.
Mario was kept busy during his first season at the Croation National Theatre under the creative direction of Director Leonard Jakovina. Mario also worked with the great ballet star Vladimir Malakhov who was stationed in Zagreb to create his production of The Nutcracker. He also had the opportunity to play Ivan Glembay in The Glembays by Leo Mujić not too long ago.
Mario was also able to be a part of one of the first theatre groups in Europe to return to the stage in June followed by a brief trip home to visit his family of whom he hadn’t seen since moving the year prior. In an Instagram post in August, Mario wrote, “I’m really grateful to have had the possibility to go back home during the summer holidays to spend amazing time with my family during this crazy period.”
Many dancers are returning to an abundance of questions for the future of the ballet industry in which, according to Mario, has been destroyed by the virus. As theatres all around the world have been forced to close, Mario said, “think of just how much money the industry has lost and how many performances have been delayed or postponed until who knows when.”
Mario in 2017 modelling for Dr Leotards. Image b stefanosilingardi
Mario as a young dancer posted by Mario for #WorldBalletDay
Mario practicing his ballet on the balcony of his home in Zagreb
With every dark cloud comes a silver lining, and a cluster of lucky European companies opening their stages once again. Mario believes that the news comes with a possible cloak of financial problems. “But,” he said, “I hope that our wonderful fans will help us out of this situation and make people dream again.”
Whereas work for Mario has returned back to its gracious norm, Mario made a conscious effort to draw attention to the positive work going on within the industry. “A lot of professional dancers and companies have given ballet classes on social media and a lot of theatres are streaming closed performances,” Mario began, “It’s a really nice way to carry on as sub-normal, keep the entertainment industry alive and to attract a new future audience.”
But what about professionals who need to keep up with practices at home? Mario said that it’s difficult to train as they should, speaking on behalf of his fellow professional dancers. “It’s difficult as there’s not much space and there aren’t proper facilities like the dance floor and barres. It can be a bit risky to train in these conditions.”
The dancer seems to be basking in his at-home practices as in March, Mario posted a video of himself practicing his ballet moves on the balcony of his flat whilst enjoying the seemingly fresh air and sending a love-lead message out to Italy and Croatia.
Mario lives just 15 minutes from the centre of Zagreb, surrounded by nature and everything he could ever need. “The moment I saw the apartment I immediately fell in love with it,” Mario said, “It has a lovely kitchen that’s vital for an Italian abroad.”
Mario noted that it’s important that after a hard day at work or after a performance he can rest and invite some friends over for a nice, comforting meal. But, living alone has forced Mario to make an effort to keep occupied, noting, “I’d actually like to thank quarantine as I’m learning a lot of new things.” Mario enthused. “I never used to take yoga classes before and I recently discovered that it’s really good for helping my flexibility and dancing, similar to gyrokinesis,” he said. “I’m now happiest in the kitchen because I’m trying new plates simply because I have more time. I’m making the most of it.” he gushed.
Mario truly appreciates his calm kitchen that allows him to explore his love of cooking, and his countless plants that bring a serene and energising energy into his home.
Mario is a successful and talented ballet dancer living in his own, serene and personal professional space. We asked Mario why he chose to live alone in Zagreb, and why he loves his own space so much. He answered, “Now, in this time in my life - and possibly because I’m now older - I’m loving having my own space.”
“I need to have the freedom in my surroundings to prepare myself for what the next day has in store. I really love to spend time with my friends and be out in the city, but when I'm at home I enjoy the quiet where I can put on some nice lounge jazz music when I cook, read a book or speak with my family.”
In concluding our chat, we asked Mario what he’s grateful for this year, to which he replied, “I’m not too sure what I’m grateful for in 2020. For sure I’m thankful to be healthy and safe at home, but I’m also sure that all of this will be over sooner or later and that the best is yet to come for this crazy year.” Mario is full of high hopes.
Ending with a word of encouragement, Mario said, “Use this time wisely to do the things you usually don’t have time for. Spend time with people you love or call that friend that you never have time to call. I don’t like when people say ‘we have a lot of time to waste’, I think time it’s a really precious thing, let’s not waste it.”
We’re wishing Mario the very best in premier of Leo Mujić‘s adaption of Pride and Prejudice this Saturday at the National Theatre of Zagreb. If you’d like to keep up with what Mario’s doing, follow him on Instagram.