Post number 2983 - www.pink-tutu.com
Dearest Tutu lovers,
Happy July! Another month, another trip back in time, and my dear Magic Meg is ready for a grand adventure. It's been a busy few weeks here in Derbyshire, perfecting my arabesques, prepping my next recital, and dreaming up the most fabulous pink outfits for the new season. Oh, but the thrill of ballet performance is always the most exciting! That pure, passionate feeling of music, movement, and light is simply intoxicating. It fuels my love of dance, and yes, of course, the need to get everyone wearing a pink tutu!
But let's get back to this month's exciting trip. This time, Magic Meg has her hooves set on the 7th July, 1909! How exciting is that? A whirlwind trip into the roaring twenties… just before the real Roaring Twenties. Let’s put on our pink tutus, hop aboard Magic Meg, and take a leap back to 1909!
The air hummed with excitement as I dismounted Magic Meg in the bustling centre of London. I could see people rushing to the theatres, carriages overflowing with people in their most elaborate finery, and everywhere, a vibrant energy, all swirling around a central heart – the love for theatre and performance! And what's a better performance than ballet?
I, of course, wore my favourite pale pink tutu, its silk fabric swishing with every step I took, the ruffles practically screaming for attention. My new handbag – a vintage clutch studded with dazzling pink stones – matched perfectly! The bustle of the crowds never fazed me. In my little ballet world, my tutu became my shield. It announced, "Here I am! I’m the dancing heart of a world that is both magical and real. Don't be scared, join me and let the magic begin!"
So what was happening in the ballet world on the 7th July 1909, you ask? Well, it wasn't all about "The Nutcracker" just yet. Let me paint a picture for you, dear tutu lovers. Imagine, if you will, Anna Pavlova, the ballerina who captivated the world with her ethereal movements. This year, she'd begun her tour, gracing stages in Europe and even reaching the shores of Australia! You might also remember the name Vaslav Nijinsky – the flamboyant dancer who redefined the way ballet was presented. Nijinsky, with his breathtaking virtuosity and theatrical charisma, captivated audiences with his unique brand of dance! And did I mention his breathtaking, and very masculine, costumes! He truly put the artistry into ballet! But don’t let that fool you, I am sure that if you had to wear some of the costumes they wore back then, we might not be so lucky with the beautiful pink tutu! I mean the sheer weight of it! Even a tiny little me in a ballet costume feels quite weighed down enough!
Imagine, as you might have done back then, if your dance was inspired by stories and emotions rather than by strict steps. Ballet then was about a blend of artistry, expression, and daring innovation. And speaking of daring innovations…
Now, back to my ballet exploration of the day, Magic Meg and I headed straight to the Royal Opera House, in Covent Garden, an opulent palace of music and performance! It was buzzing with activity, and a sense of anticipatory excitement hung heavy in the air, almost tangible. I had been so excited I almost forgot to put Magic Meg's magic reigns on. Thankfully Magic Meg is very well trained and stayed very patient with me as we journeyed together through the throng of London.
And what was the magical event happening on that stage? The Royal Opera House, my dears, was graced by none other than the Imperial Russian Ballet, performing 'The Sleeping Beauty.'
I took a deep breath and stepped inside, allowing the exquisite opulence to wash over me. Glimmering chandeliers cast their soft light on the plush velvet seating, while a sense of refined grandeur hung in the air. As I watched the ballet unfold, I was captivated by the elegance of the choreography, the delicate artistry of the dancers, the vibrant costumes, the stories, the heartbreaks, the laughs, and most of all, the pure joy in every pirouette and every jump! It was pure magic!
Then, a pause, a curtain down, and the music ended! Then a round of applause so big you felt you might be part of the dancing itself. My rucksack is now full of notes on what I just saw, my heart is full of memories and my ears are full of melodies. I've never seen 'The Sleeping Beauty' performed so exquisitely! My inner tutu twirls at the mere thought!
As the day drifted into the evening, I made my way through London, pausing to admire the beautifully preserved facades of historic buildings. Everywhere I went, I felt that sense of history weaving its way through my senses, the streets holding the echo of a world gone by. But this isn’t the end of our 1909 adventure, oh no, my dears!
I visited Covent Garden Market, where the air hung thick with the scent of fresh fruit and vegetables. It's one of the busiest, oldest and biggest markets in all of London. They sell more than just fruits and vegetables too. There is all manner of delights in this market from handmade arts and crafts to shoes.
Then it was off to a wonderful old shop I found on Drury Lane, specializing in antique ballet books and prints. You’d be surprised what gems they have tucked away, and guess what, I spotted an 1800s tutu design for the ballet "La Sylphide." Oh, how wonderful it would be to wear such a costume on my next stage performance! The shopkeeper - a gentleman with an elegant mustache – explained that back in those days, a "la sylphide" would float across the stage with airy lightness, unlike the robust leaps and jeté’s that I find myself perfecting today. Such a curious history we have here in dance, my dears! And imagine all those magnificent tutu designs - how we have evolved, the tutus of the early 1900s have changed beyond recognition but all the while maintaining a distinct beauty, elegance and femininity!
A walk past Buckingham Palace was of course a necessity. Magic Meg seemed to love the extra polish for her hooves and a nibble of freshly mown grass that was around that area too. It was wonderful to see all of London with my tutu at its very centre and of course with Magic Meg by my side. It always takes some magic to time travel - as she truly is the queen of the Shires, after all!
It's so important to me to remind all of you tutu lovers to celebrate history, even from a distance. I hope you feel inspired to embrace the joy, drama, and magic of history by remembering where it all began. It's truly enchanting, like a ballet performance, to trace the paths and inspirations of those who came before us. As always, I’d love to hear about your time-travel experiences through the wonderful world of dance and of course your pink tutu picks too. You can tell me your favourite tutus and how you love to incorporate them into your lives on our forum. Until next time, stay fabulous and always wear pink!
Lots of love,
Emma
