#BalletHistory during 1917 06 June

Welcome, darlings! Emma here, your very own Pink Tutu Time Traveller, ready to whisk you away on a magical ballet journey through the ages! Today, we're diving into the archives, taking a leap back to 6th June, 1917. Pop on your favourite pink tutu (mine's a gorgeous, shimmering confection, of course!) and let's ride alongside Magic Meg, my beautiful pink-sparkling Shire horse with hooves of pure gold, as we explore the world of ballet during this pivotal year.

This month's time travel adventure, number 3078 in my ever-growing blog archives on www.pink-tutu.com, will take us to some of the world's most fascinating ballet scenes, filled with grace, artistry, and of course, tutus! I’ll be sure to pack my leather rucksack, ready to gather precious ballet stories and souvenirs from this era, for you to enjoy back in my present time in lovely Derbyshire, England. My current ballet earnings are funding this voyage - can you imagine the wonders I’ll find at the shows and in the shops?!

1917, what a time! We are in the midst of World War One, the world feels in a constant state of flux. Despite this turbulent atmosphere, the world of ballet remained ablaze with artistry. In Paris, Anna Pavlova (yes, the legendary prima ballerina herself!) dazzled audiences with her exquisite dancing, a beacon of beauty in an era of global turmoil. Imagine the joy! Her every graceful movement must have filled the theatre with hope and artistry, offering solace from the grim news on the world stage. Anna, always dressed in the most magnificent of tutus (did you know they used real jewels and feathers back then, darling?) inspired generations with her dedication to the craft.

And what was on stage at London’s beloved Covent Garden Opera House? This very day in 1917, we find the Royal Ballet company showcasing their talents in the timeless ballet, Giselle. This enchanting masterpiece, telling a love story amidst tragic circumstances, is the perfect dance for the tumultuous era. Imagine watching this timeless dance as the sun shines in a soft glow through the beautiful old windows of the Covent Garden theatre - utter magic!

The very next day, June 7th, 1917, saw a new ballet performed, “The Blue Bird,” another delightful offering in the repertoire of this iconic company. Now, how gorgeous does a “Blue Bird” tutu sound?! I shall find a copy to replicate for the upcoming gala at the Derbyshire Arts Centre - if they aren’t available to purchase, why not have a go at creating one! We have Pinterest, darling, it’s full of amazing ideas!

This was a period of immense change, and the world of ballet certainly reflected it! It was also a time of intense experimentation, and many artists pushed the boundaries, introducing new ideas and ways to showcase their talents.

Imagine stepping into a ballet studio in 1917. You'd likely find Baroness von Aschenbach, the wife of the director of the Royal Ballet Company at the time, leading the classes with strict yet loving authority. Can you imagine how magical a ballet class would be under her guidance?

Those graceful lines, the perfect pirouettes and flawless positions… You can practically hear the “Plié, Demi-plié, allongé…” coming from the classroom! The ballerinas, dressed in their elegant costumes of course, would have to be so incredibly fit, and their dedication to perfection would have been utterly awe-inspiring!

Now, don't you dare think they’d only wear pink tutus, darling! We all know the beauty of a wide spectrum of pink. Some dancers would be perfecting their leaps in graceful ivory creations, others in classic white or shimmering, silver tutus – imagine! The very word “tutub” was just starting to appear as an accepted English term – but my goodness, these dancers had so much to choose from!

What would their ballet fashion be like? Now this is what we have to discover! With this being said, I have already started researching fashion ideas and found some absolutely fascinating finds on a wonderful new website called Etsy. I simply must order some of those hand-stitched brooches that can be found on the site! You could buy these online at a much higher price from a mainstream retailer – I am such a bargain-hunter!

Imagine, if we went shopping for ballet clothing today and were met with so many diverse colours – we have to remember that pink isn’t for everyone, darlings, though we could definitely persuade them to try a tutu or two, with a little encouragement! We must show them the joy that a pink tutu brings to every outfit - what could possibly be better? It simply lights up the world with an incredible beauty, an airy grace, and a sheer delight!

I do have to admit, pink tutus weren’t as popular back then, but with my blog, maybe we can change that! Let’s bring on a world of pink!

With Magic Meg’s beautiful white mane flying behind us, we continue our journey through 1917, travelling from Paris to London, exploring the world of ballet step-by-step. We can even take a jaunt over to St. Petersburg in Russia. This time of war certainly affected ballet performance; there are no ballets on the programme at the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre today. Imagine! That's a lot of potential for exploring ballet and perhaps creating our very own Pink Tutu themed show…

So let’s travel back in time and join a wonderful ballet-loving group on an evening out! As they excitedly enter a theatre, let's take a glimpse at what it might be like. Can you see the excitement? The men, dressed in elegant attire, their partners all resplendent in dresses that have clearly been well thought out. They may be holding bouquets of flowers, the air filled with perfume, the thrill of expectation.

Well, dear readers, I'll bid you farewell for now. It's time for me to delve deeper into my “1917 Ballet Adventure” archives. Perhaps I'll spend an evening writing to “The Dance World”, a monthly magazine published in England during this time. Imagine! It’s simply thrilling to see how ballet was seen, portrayed, and loved!

The pink tutu awaits! Have you had a great time? If you're enjoying these adventures and haven’t signed up for my ballet email alerts – go on, give it a try! Simply add your email address on my website at www.pink-tutu.com and be kept up to date with all of my news and adventures.

See you all next month for a new ballet adventure!