The final Grand Ball of the season always seems to catch us somewhat by surprise; in that it always feels ages away until it’s suddenly on top of us.
So it was that last night, after back to back guest appreciation cocktail parties and an all around bizarre day, we all clambered into the show lounge to begin the process of transforming it into a gold and jet-black glimmering ballroom. We had originally thought we had no decorations to work with, until the stage crew brought out box after box of party supplies. It was probably the fastest we’ve ever completed the job, everything was done and dusted in 45 minutes.
The cocktail parties had required us to be in formal wear from 4pm on, and there was no way that I could wear my black and gold outfit that long (the corset has about 3 hours useful wear time, after that my ribs will simply not stand it anymore), so I didn’t change fully into Cinderella until after the decorating was finished. Much to my own amazement I was able to stave off the vapors until the end of the after party…
I waited till the last minute to secure my mask in place. It’s a proper one, ordered from a high-end Ventian mask shop online (I later went to Venice and picked up one there as well, but that one was the wrong colours for the ball), so it ties in place with a black ribbon instead of being the headband style that we gave out to the guests. That tends to mean that once it’s on, it’s too much trouble to take it off again until the end of the night. In the dim light of the ballroom, few people truly noticed that it was unique; but once I got up to after party one of the cast members looked at me as I was reaching behind my head to untie the ribbons
I just noticed your mask…that’s stunning.
Thanks! Yeah, it’s a proper one, ties in the back. Which means it’s like shoes, once it’s off, I’m not putting it back on again!
I was just thinking the music notes were perferct for you
Yup, that’s why I got it.
The ball itself went well, although it was surprisingly low in attendence (I think all the cocktail parties and such wore everyone out!) and we’re still in rough weather so the dance floor occasionally felt like ti was about to drop out from under the dancers! But those few that attended seemed to enjoy themselves, and that is after all the point.
Besides, I found myself thinking that I would rather go out on an occasion where everyone who attends does so because they just want to dance and chat and listen to some good music…rather than being there simply because they want to win a prize or enjoy the few champaigne.