Helloooo darling Tutu Travellers!
Welcome to Pink Tutu Time Travels! It's Emma here, back from another incredible ballet adventure, ready to share my fabulous finds with you! This month, I'm taking you right back to 1918, a time of change and creativity - the heart of World War I, but also a blooming era for dance! As always, my trusty sidekick Magic Meg, my beautiful pink sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and white mane, was waiting for me at my stables in Derbyshire ready to gallop us back to February 2nd, 1918. Her pink-sequinned saddle gleamed like a disco ball in the early morning light!
Buckle up darling, because this is a trip that's overflowing with glitter, sequins, and an abundance of "Oh, darling, look at THAT!" moments.
Pink, Pink, Pink! My favourite colour! And what is the highlight of any trip to the past? Exploring ballet fashion, of course! Well, let's just say the dancers in 1918 weren't exactly rockin' the full tutus yet - that came later. But they WERE working those beautiful floor-length dresses with elaborate necklines and swirling, chiffon skirts. Think dreamy, elegant, with just a touch of Edwardian glamour!
I just HAD to find a souvenir from that era for you. So while on my journey, I stopped by the ballet workshops of Paris! Oh my, it was a kaleidoscope of colour! I snagged a beautiful embroidered satin patch for my rucksack – a tiny replica of a design I discovered in a vintage costume book. Imagine: dainty roses and little doves, all done with those beautiful tiny sequins that used to be such a rage. The workshop was an Aladdin's Cave of the past! They even had a giant roll of silk for those stunning dance costumes they were sewing. Honestly, if they used fabrics like this, my dance bag would probably weigh a tonne - just like it did when I got back home.
Now, darling, let's dive into what was going on in the world of ballet on this day: February 2nd, 1918. In London, they were staging "La Source". Yes, my dear readers! Think a story of love and nature set in the romantic setting of the Balkans! This show brought some really dramatic sets, like a mysterious fountain, that must have left the audience awestruck. Of course, I took my ballet notebook out (all leather bound, of course!), and doodled a few costume sketches as well - for a pink version of the famous fountain scene, naturally! I mean, can you imagine "La Source" but with the water cascading down in shimmering pink hues? My artistic heart can hardly bear it.
Back then, the Ballets Russes were still travelling the globe, spreading their brand of avant-garde ballet to audiences in Europe and even beyond. Their dancing was so captivating - just imagine graceful jumps, whirlwinds of movement, and incredible choreography! If you see a dance inspired by the Ballets Russes, you know it! Those guys created something really special, like a storm in a teacup. They had this unique blend of Ballet, Theatre, Art, and just a bit of drama. A touch of "we're not quite sure what's going on but it's mesmerizing!" It was certainly making waves - just like the sequins I picked up in that gorgeous Paris shop.
But enough of that - there's something else! Do you know what's fascinating about that period? Well, aside from the gorgeous clothing of course, was that the first "Swan Lake" was making its way around the world! Yes, dear readers! The classic fairytale of the tragic swan! It's all about transformation! I mean, can't you imagine how excited the audiences were to see their first "Swan Lake"? That's like being a tutu traveller and finally stepping foot in London's Royal Opera House - a ballet fan's dream come true. I was positively bubbling with excitement to experience that atmosphere for a moment, even through time.
You know, while I was there in the audience, I just had to feel a little "Tutu traveller" magic! So I closed my eyes for a second, and I envisioned myself dancing alongside the swans on the stage - all in glorious pink, of course. A pink ballerina with shimmering feathers! I bet that looked amazing in the flickering stage lights of those old theaters. My friends giggled as I jumped and spun in my own world. They have seen a thing or two but they have never been through time with a talking pink pony!
Speaking of "Swan Lake", my time travels never stop surprising me. In 1918, a famous ballerina called Anna Pavlova - I think everyone knows who she is - was actually on tour doing a production of "Swan Lake" herself. Isn't it magical that history connects us like that? It's all part of this incredible thread that connects every tutu-lover from Derbyshire to Russia to those dancers in 1918. It was in 1918 that a young girl from my neighbourhood would start taking ballet lessons for the very first time! That young girl was just a few years older than me and became a successful choreographer. It was so lovely to connect her to the very beginnings of her incredible journey through ballet - and she had never even heard about "La Source".
And, to wrap up this thrilling post, it was in 1918 that a certain choreographer by the name of Léonide Massine decided to use dance in a bold new way! I have his story carefully preserved in my rucksack! Can you imagine: ballet that breaks from traditional styles and goes for a bit more... experimental?! Can you see my pink-tutu-loving mind working? He's trying to bring modernity and freedom into this ballet world, just as I want to do with my own little tutu journey. The way I see it, dance has endless possibilities, and he seems to have seen it too, even way back then! Imagine dancing in your pink tutu as the most fabulous expression of your creative spirit. What an amazing journey for him and for me!
So my lovelies, that's my story of time-travelling in February 1918! You see, I hope you all feel connected to this exciting ballet world, all thanks to this beautiful art form that makes us move, express ourselves, and explore! So, darlings, put on your prettiest pink tutu - even if you're just lounging at home, like I'm about to - and imagine yourself a part of this amazing dance journey through time! Remember, anything is possible if you believe. And you know me! I believe in tutus! Love you, bye!
