Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here with another peek into the fascinating world of ballet history. As you all know, my favourite way to travel is on the back of my trusty steed, Magic Meg, my magnificent pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a flowing white mane and tail. We're always off on adventures, exploring the past and finding all the delightful nuggets of ballet history we can cram into my trusty leather rucksack.
This month, we've zipped back to 7th July, 1918. Can you imagine, darlings? The First World War is still raging, but in the world of ballet, there's a different kind of battle taking place - the battle for artistic innovation!
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Emma, it's 1918! We're probably going to be looking at rather demure tutus and strict classical ballets." Well, my dears, you couldn't be more wrong! This is a period of change, of challenging traditions and finding new ways to express ourselves through dance.
Let me give you a little peek into the ballet world of 1918:
Ballet Russes in New York City: The legendary Ballets Russes company, led by the brilliant Serge Diaghilev, was tearing up the stage in New York! They were renowned for their innovative productions, bringing a fresh energy to classical ballet. They combined daring costumes and imaginative staging with a vibrant artistic vision, often drawing inspiration from the world around them. Think shimmering fabrics, exotic patterns, and breathtaking choreography that would leave you speechless. My rucksack is positively bulging with fascinating photos and programs from this period, especially the iconic "The Rite of Spring" which had its New York premier a year earlier in 1917. The music for this ballet by Igor Stravinsky is so captivating, and the choreography by the incredible Vaslav Nijinsky was so ground-breaking that it caused quite a stir! Can you imagine? It was one of the most avant-garde ballets ever seen, a real masterpiece. Imagine being there, witnessing its premiere, the excitement in the air, the whispers, the applause!
New Ballet: The Pioneers: But Diaghilev wasn't the only one pushing the boundaries in ballet. Across the pond, in England, there were groups like the "New Ballet," which formed in London, breaking away from the strict traditions of the past. These talented dancers, under the leadership of Marie Rambert, were all about exploration, about trying new things and creating something genuinely new. They explored other art forms like dance-dramas, which focused on telling stories through movement. Now, Marie Rambert, my darlings, was a total style icon! I've read all her diaries and they're filled with sketches of revolutionary tutus! I'm trying to recreate one myself for a future blog post.
Beyond the Theatre: And let's not forget about the world outside of the traditional theatre! Street dance, folk dances, and even ballroom dance, all of these were bursting with creative energy, too. Imagine those flapper dresses swishing around dance floors and those fantastic tap shoes. We can see how much they influenced modern ballet with their expressiveness, fluidity, and sense of dynamism. This is a period that shows just how diverse and vibrant the world of ballet was, even during a war. I love getting to meet these dancers and seeing what they're creating.
Now, here is where our tale of time travel becomes truly glamorous.
I'm wearing my pink tulle tutu, which I found in a vintage shop here in Derbyshire, just two weeks ago. It's absolutely perfect! Imagine delicate layers of shimmering pink, a wispy puff of femininity with hints of sequins to catch the light. This is how ballet tutus should look, light, floaty, and full of joyous movement. The tutu is accompanied by my pink leather dance shoes.
We made our way to a "New Ballet" performance, my Magic Meg gently navigating through the bustling London streets, lined with bustling shoppers and charming shops with beautiful fabric and costume shops filled with feathers and sequins. A true vision for any aspiring ballerina, don’t you agree?
Let me tell you about the performance: It was at the Savoy Theatre, which was simply breathtaking! It had this gorgeous Edwardian charm with beautiful lighting. I felt like I’d stepped straight into a glamorous Parisian theatre! I have a photo of myself standing in the lobby of this theatre that will definitely go in my next ballet-themed instagram post.
The dancing was fantastic – full of energy and movement! They weren't just standing and posing, my darlings, they were leaping, turning, and using their bodies in new and exciting ways! And did I mention the music?! A blend of classical pieces with some jazz and ragtime thrown in for good measure! Oh, it was glorious!
So, darling, remember to embrace the past and its influence on our world. Every tutu, every movement, every stage, and every story tells us something new about the dance and the artistic world we know and love!
If you’re like me and absolutely adore anything ballet, make sure you visit www.pink-tutu.com to read my posts and look through my pictures from our adventures through ballet history.
I'll be off with Magic Meg next month to explore another incredible ballet moment. Until then, wear your pink tutu with pride, and dance your heart out! Remember, darling, in ballet, the only rule is to be beautiful, creative and let your love of the dance shine!
