From photographic evidence four of the Male Guests wore these costumes in Balanchine's ballet Le Bal.Le Bal (The Ball), a modern ballet in one act and two scenes had sets and costumes designed Giorgio de Chirico, was created for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes at the Théâtre de Monte Carlo on 7 May 1929. The musical score was by Vittorio Rieti, the narrative by Boris Kochno, after a story by Count Vladimir Sologub, and it was choreographed in 1929 by George Balanchine. The costumes executed under the direction of Mme A. Youkine. The original ballet had 15 performances being presented only during the last season of Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in Monte Carlo, Paris, Berlin and London where it was first performed on 26 July 1929 also at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.

Le Bal was and briefly revived by Colonel de Basil’s Ballet Russe at the Auditorium, Chicago on 8 March 1935 when it was re-choreographed by Léonide Massine. It was not a success when performed in the USA and London, even Massine was dissatisfied with his ballet. Balanchine’s production has been evoked in the staging using the original score and costumes for Rome Opera Ballet in 2005 staged by Millicent Hodson and Kenneth Archer. Interest in the ballet has largely been sustained because of de Chirico’s participation in the ballet.

The Times 9 July 1929 p.14 noted Balanchine ‘had not found it necessary to demand so much acrobatic virtuosity as is required for Pastoral and the Cat…. But concerted movement has a charm beyond that of any acrobatic solo, and it is one of the attractions of The Ball that it affords scope to the corps de ballet for appearing as guests. M. Balanchine has also enlivened it by some touches of comedy.’