14 minute Britney based ballet entitled "Meltdown"

[underpants]

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/entertainment.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-02-06-0009.html

Say it ain't so.

Britney Spears' life has inspired a ballet.

Rambert Dance Company debuted "Meltdown" at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on Friday.

Hubert Essakow, who choreographed what he calls a "modern-day tragedy," told BBC News he had become fascinated by the fact that people are fascinated with Spears.

"You can't open a newspaper without her being in it," he said. "I became obsessed with every detail of her life."

Spears has been in the headlines almost constantly since she segued from teen singing queen to trashy-tabloid fodder. She seems to have picked up the anti-Midas touch: Everything she touches turns sour.

Her relationships with ex-husband Kevin Federline, her children, her family and alcohol . . . her attempts to perform . . . even her hair. (Her head-shaving escapade is part of the ballet.)

"Meltdown" opened the day after paparazzi and police escorted Spears to UCLA Medical Center's psychiatric ward for evaluation. Her stay now has been extended for two weeks.

According to BBC News, Essakow and Gemma Nixon, who plays Spears in "Meltdown," prepared by watching videos and TV.

Nixon joined Rambert, a contemporary dance company, in 2006. She was required to practice pelvic thrusts and writhing for the Britney role.

Music for the 14-minute ballet is by Richard Thomas, who, appropriately enough, co-wrote "Jerry Springer -- The Opera."