Public meltdown or cunning plan?

Tuesday was a day that baffled the ballet world and stunned one of the most prestigious ballet companies of our time. The Royal Ballet was forced to announce the sudden departure of their rising star, Sergei Polunin. The 21 year old Principle Dancer was gaining marked comparisons between the great Nureyev and Baryshnikov, with a clean and reputable record of showing up to rehearsals and performing without any fault onstage, being a caring and supportive dance partner with commendments made by the likes of Tamara Rojo and Lauren Cuthbertson, it came as something quite out of character - especially for his colleagues whom worked so closely with him over the years. But if you work with someone...do you in fact really know them at all? It is true that you can spend years and years sitting next to someone, working on projects together, hell - dancing together and yet, you may only get a glimpse of their true character.

Was Sergei's actions a result of too much pressure and a symptom of being pushed from a very young age to succeed? Or are they part of a broader more cunning plan?

Some critics are suggesting that Polunin has been poached by a rival company - no one has put their hand up to claim that this is true and why would they? It is almost likened to a faux pas if a company poaches a dancer, especially a Principle Dancer mid-season. Never mind the kid walked out mid-rehearsal and declared he was never coming back. Never mind that Monica Mason, Director of the Royal Ballet had made him the youngest ever dancer to become promoted to Principle in the company's history. Never mind that he was supposed to be preparing for his role as Oberon. Never mind the kid co-owns a tattoo parlour in London. Never mind the kid has openly stated in interviews that he was pushed into ballet by his parents at a young age and the entire family backed his career which was literally paved for him from birth and offered no other option but to succeed. AND never mind the kid has been "tweeting" on his twitter account some bizarre remarks such as "does any body sell heroin?? Need to bring my mood up - pizza will probably do for now"....

Never mind....

There's the rub.

From where I am sitting what I see painted is a picture of someone who was born incredibly gifted and someone who had every chance to succeed and become a ballet dancer. I see someone who did not like dancing as a child, but did it to please their parents. I see someone who didn't mind dabbling in dance but then got caught up in the competitive nature of what gaining a career in ballet so often entails. I see someone who was never given the opportunity to be "a kid", someone who never fully "grew up". Basically, what I see is behaviour that is symptomatic and typical of someone who never had the childhood they greatly desired and as a result has thrown an all-mighty tantrum, throwing all their toys out of the cott figuratively speaking in order to regain some sort of semblance, some sort of control over their life. I'm not saying ballet is bad and ballet takes away people's childhood. Not at all. Ballet can deliver so much love, joy, passion and can be undeniably rewarding. But I think only if you want it to be...

I doubt Polunin has been poached by another company. Does he want to dance? Maybe not, if he had a sudden change and decided to walk out mid-rehearsal. Maybe he just wants to control his life and enjoy himself in another avenue? Maybe he felt trapped? Hard to imagine someone who is so successful and has his whole career ahead of him to feel as though he is not free???

Who knows, we may never know. What is evident however, is the Royal Ballet has left their doors open should the talented dancer decide to return....but will he???

Sad loss for the ballet world as I imagine many fans out there would have wanted to see more of his dancing and I imagine his colleagues may miss his dancing too?