Hello, darlings! Emma here, your trusty Pink Tutu Time Traveller, and I’m thrilled to welcome you back for another monthly trip through the exciting world of ballet history! This month, we're hopping back to a brand new year - January 1st, 1920 – the first day of the roaring 20s! It's a fresh start, a new era, and you just know there's something wonderful brewing in the world of ballet. And as always, my darling Meg, my magnificent pink-sparkling shire horse with the golden hooves, is ready to carry me on our grand adventure.
I've been looking forward to this one, my dears! You see, 1920 is a year that marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of ballet – a time when dance is truly stepping out of the old world and into a brave new age. Think swirling flapper dresses, jazz music, and a brand-new sense of liberation!
Before I let you in on all the fabulous ballet happenings of 1920, let's first check out what was happening in the wider world on this exciting day!
The World Around UsThe year 1920 started off with a certain air of optimism and fresh beginnings, post-war, you know! People were ready to dance away their troubles. The world was changing quickly, but we’ll talk more about all that as we go along! Let me just grab a handful of historical titbits I’ve found in my lovely leather rucksack - I collected them on the way back to Derbyshire, England, where my journey begins!
On this very day, in London, England, the “London General Omnibus Company” decided to allow their passengers to pay fares in penny stamps! Now that’s innovative, don’t you think? They’re clearly keeping up with the times! It sounds as though a very jolly penny for every journey, so much fun. Oh, and, my dears, guess what – we were about to start our day without needing a penny at all! I've left instructions with Meg, and by some miracle of her hooves and sparkling shire-horse magic, we travel through time without a single penny needed – how wonderfully convenient, don’t you think?
Back in 1920, a new year means new fashion trends! Fashion was really starting to break free – from the stuffy Victorian era – think straight, boyish, drop-waisted silhouettes, lots of fun colours and – of course – sparkling beads! Now, as you know, I love beads. So you just know I'll be taking full advantage of this fun and flirty trend to jazz up my tutus. Can’t you just see a sparkling beaded pink tutu, my darlings?!
Now, on with the show… Let’s talk ballet!
A Dance Through The 20sRight from the start, this new decade, 1920 was filled with bold new ideas.
Ballet is about to become even more beautiful and exciting!
Here in Britain, Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes is absolutely booming. Remember that last month in December 1919? Well, he was busy introducing yet another amazing ballet – Le Sacre du Printemps by Stravinsky. What a dazzling and captivating work of art it is, and so beautifully danced, and such a sensation! Even in the year 1920, Le Sacre du Printemps still captivates, inspires and sparks debate. If there's one ballet that is capturing hearts and imaginations it's this one, my darlings. It was a revolutionary work in its day and we’ll all be enjoying the impact for years to come! So dramatic! So inspiring! And a big, fat "Bravo!" to Diaghilev and his team for daring to be different!
Meanwhile, all across Europe, young choreographers are springing up like blooms in a springtime garden. It seems we are entering a golden era of new talent, and the creativity knows no bounds!
In Paris, the ballet world was bursting with energy. There were a host of wonderful performances taking place! Oh, and in St Petersburg? There’s no time for a quick trip, we have so much ground to cover in Europe already today, my dears. but St. Petersburg, was, is, always a hotbed of amazing artistic talent. You will be hearing more from them next month – I’ve put it in my rucksack for my next journey!
The spirit of the roaring 20s is beginning to take hold. Think jazz, think fashion, think energy, think expression, think joy! The world of ballet is ready to join the party! You can just feel a shift – a shift towards bold new designs, dazzling dance steps, an exciting embrace of individuality! It's a beautiful thing to see unfold, my darlings.
And as always, the tutu is at the heart of it all, naturally. You know me, my loves. My aim in life is to get everyone in the world wearing a pink tutu! What could be more delightful!
Now I’ve already talked far too long! And what a day it’s been! We have already touched on so much, but there is still so much more I want to share! Stay tuned, my lovelies. I can hardly wait to reveal the delights and the drama, the exciting dance innovations and the amazing talents in the ballet world of 1920. The 20th century has so much to give!
In the meantime, remember, my darlings – let’s all go out there and celebrate the beauty, the joy, and the powerful emotions that ballet gives to the world. Put on your prettiest tutus, get ready to dance – and I’ll see you next month for the next stop on my Pink Tutu Time Travels.
Now, off we go! To the shops! Meg and I must find a little something sparkling to add to my tutu for the grand finale – I can see it now, a sparkly pink dream!
