We went to the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s production of Madame Butterfly last night. In the true spirit of ballet it is impossible to follow the story without actually knowing it beforehand, but the production was spectacular. I think Dracula appealed to me more, but Madame Butterfly was a slicker production with far better use of the set. I thoroughly recommend it.
Cushla informs me that it is perfectly normal for the prima ballerina to threaten people with a sword and end the production covered in blood.