Private Lessons with the Ballet Master

starring: POLINA NESTEROVA & PIERRE LONGER

Orphan Sophie has worked as a cleaner in a ballet studio by day and practised at night - now she has a chance to audition for a prestigious ballet school - but has to deal with rival ballerina Emily, and a brooding ballet master.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Well of course @pierrelonger should play a ballet master. As soon as I clicked on this vertical it seemed madness I hadn't seen him play one before

His teacher is all discipline, control, flashes of genius and someone who seems to be held back by working at that school. He sees right through Emily and begrudgingly gives Sophie a chance. Plus he has really good posture. And this matters

Because it looks like and feels like a film about ballet - @nesterova.apollin is utterly brilliant as Sophie, we need someone of this caliber to be able to pull off the dancing and performance.

It's a fairly standard vertical, you can work out what will happen, there is a bit of nonsense with Emily, but it is made by the fact all the ballet training and dance sequences are so well done. For the first time you truly believe this is all set in a baller school

And the leads carry you through, we have a good central romance and an enjoyable hour or so escape from reality.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Lots of chemistry here (and hair sniffing. New thing in verts. Bit odd). But the main swoonworthy thing is how much Wayne believes in Sophie, and instantly sees through Emily and her accomplice's lies.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

The ballet world is a good setting, the vicious rivalry makes sense here. Emily of course takes it too far, but I have a bigger issue with her accomplice, who flip flops between Emily and Sophie and proves themselves to be an utter cad.

😂 Comedy gold:

None - instead want to do a shout out for the dancing which is brilliant. By far the best ballet I have seen in a vertical. Gorgeous lines, and actual dance sequences, not just someone standing in a tutu.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Sophie - because she is tough and rescues herself at the end. Very resourceful with the candle, fire alarm and pepper spray. And don't let her near a fork. Top work.

✍🏼 DETAILS

2026

Available on MyDrama