Hey my gorgeous ballet bunnies! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveler! 💖 Welcome back to Pink Tutu News, your one-stop shop for all things ballet. We’re waltzing our way back to 1916 in this special episode – a year that saw the world embroiled in war, but where ballet, ever graceful and resilient, danced its way through the challenges.
So, grab your favorite cuppa and get ready to prance through the history of ballet! Today, we're digging deep into 1916 and seeing what our beautiful ballet world was up to in that turbulent year!
This Post Is No. 344!
It’s my little dance blog for all things ballet! You can find my ramblings and beautiful fashion posts over at www.pink-tutu.com - I post about new finds, ballet shoes and of course tutus! Pink is my fave colour (of course) so that always features somewhere. I am going to try and share a ballet history news item each week and let you know about any shows on tour or new designs.
My life as a Time-Travelling Ballerina!
Now, some of you lovely readers might be thinking: "Emma, how on earth do you time travel?! Is it a magical tutu? Is there a secret portal in your flat?" Well, I can’t tell you my precise method of transport (it’s a bit of a secret), but I do have to use my dance talents – street performance style – to fund the whole shebang. You never know, I might just be in a town square near you! 😉
Ballet in 1916 – A Dance of Resilience
Let’s travel back to 1916. I don’t need to tell you about the devastating war happening right? A massive chunk of the world was embroiled in The Great War – a massive and painful conflict, that made it especially hard for ballet to flourish in the way we might think. Theaters were closed, money was scarce, and sadly, so many talented dancers had to enlist in the armed forces. But through it all, the beauty and passion of ballet never faded, it was a symbol of hope, art, and creativity, and as a true symbol of beauty, dance flourished in new ways - for example at military hospitals bringing hope and joy! Ballet in hospitals has continued ever since! I've read stories of these performances bringing so much light and beauty into a grim situation. Ballet really does have a way of bringing a little bit of sunshine wherever it goes! 💖
Ballet News – What were our ballerina friends getting up to?
While big, grand opera house shows might have been paused, the heart of ballet wasn't stopped! Here’s what was making waves in 1916. It might surprise you that a revolutionary ballet was getting its first outing in that year!
- The Ballets Russes - A Ballet Icon
Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company (one of my all-time faves! If only I could see one of their original performances!) were touring tirelessly! They became hugely influential throughout this period and 1916 is considered to be a time of high experimentation and they performed around the globe! This period was really crucial for modern dance techniques too and influenced several ballet styles that we enjoy even now! Diaghilev’s was pushing boundaries, bringing daring modern elements to the classical stage. A great pioneer of ballet, I just wish we could have met!
1916 Fashion – Taking a Twirl Around the Era
Ok, you know my love of fashion and ballet go hand in hand, so I had to go shopping back in 1916! Fashion in this year was a bit of a mix - think elegant long gowns for evenings, then slightly more practical silhouettes during the day.
And for ballet? They were often working with quite full, romantic, yet graceful looking tutus - much longer in the line and silhouette to what is the popular ‘tutu’ today, but I'm always saying embrace every type of tutu! There were more tiers to the skirts, so it made movements very elegant but not easy to control as they often catch on shoes if you're not careful! A real mix of delicate and quite bold with how the designs of tutus and the garments worn during ballet became almost sculptural with each garment carefully fitted and beautiful.
Going Out – Let’s Chat Shows!
Now you know I love a good show – what was going on? What could we have seen on tour, you ask?
'The Firebird' by Stravinsky! This iconic ballet, I just loved it in the Royal Opera House and the design was amazing! That vibrant red was stunning and all the birds had wonderful plumage! Think rich costumes, captivating storylines and music so incredible it still moves me now!
Ballet - What I love most!
Ballet to me is so much more than just steps. Ballet is emotion in motion, its a visual artform that really makes me think! It brings us back to who we are and the incredible beauty of the world around us!
What’s going to happen to ballet in 1917? Will the war stop this beautiful art? We are headed back to the time portal in the next week to see what’s happening! And maybe, you can send in your tutu questions - or perhaps what you think about 1916 ballet fashion. I can’t wait to get your comments! 💕
Love and plies,
Emma xx
P.S: Make sure you come back for the next Post in the Pink Tutu News - it’s always going to be pink - I’ll be talking all about the year 1917! 🩰
