Eye opener

I recently worked backstage for a ballet production and I hafta say, although ballet dancers (male and female, but mostly female) may be lithe, talented, fit and coordinated but they are also crass, uncouth and smelly. On stage, they may flit about with perfect poise and grace, but as soon as they disappear into the wings, they're all about wiping off the sweat and muttering "shit, I fucked that up" under their breath.

Sorry if I'm shattering anyone's illusions here, but as gorgeuous and lissom as they may be on stage ballet dancers are just like all other performers off stage. Grotty, sweaty and gross.