Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel! It's April 4th, and as usual, Magic Meg is raring to go on another exciting adventure. This month, we're twirling back to 1920, a year buzzing with ballet excitement and creativity!
This time travel business is tiring, I must admit. Even though Magic Meg does the majority of the work, she’s getting a little old, so I’ve had to put her on a strict oats and hay diet! But my love of ballet history motivates me to continue these trips. Who would have thought that this Derbyshire girl could be skipping through time, collecting beautiful ballet stories in my little leather rucksack, and getting everyone around the world wearing a pink tutu?
Speaking of tutus, darlings, today is all about the fashion. 1920! Oh my goodness, it's an explosion of colours, textures, and style. The flapper look was taking over, but with a twist: imagine a shimmering pink satin tutu with fringe cascading like a waterfall down to the knees. Now that's a sight I wouldn't mind seeing! I can't even imagine the dance! I bet it was full of jazzy energy, reflecting the new, exciting times!
I have a picture in my head of the Parisian salons buzzing with fashion and glamour. A world where artists and dancers celebrated the art of movement with breathtaking beauty! Just picture this, dear readers: a smoky Parisian café with flickering candlelight. In the corner, a little table bathed in soft yellow light. A slender, pale woman, eyes lit by an adventurous glint, sits at the table, tracing a pattern on her silk teacup. Beside her, a tall man in a velvet smoking jacket - he is telling her, in whispers, about his dreams. The whole café pulses with energy. And on stage? A dazzling performance, swirling with movement and beauty, culminating in a triumphant finale with a shimmering pink tutu, perfectly embodying the era’s dynamism. I just have to see this dance for myself.
While I'm waiting for the ballet season to start in 1920, I decided to do some digging around in London. There was this wonderful ballet company at the time, the London Opera House ( later to be the Coliseum!). A friend of mine, a rather eccentric yet talented Russian choreographer, recommended the performance on April 4th - a new dance drama by one Mr. Vaslav Nijinsky. His work is often a wild flurry of expression and passion, but with his usual creative flair. A truly groundbreaking performance with dancers showcasing the bold, avant-garde moves of the early 20th century.
However, my biggest disappointment - not getting to see it. It seems that Mr. Nijinsky got a little...carried away and his dance proved to be more scandalous than I imagined. Imagine that! I was about to make the trip across the channel when I heard whispers about the controversy! The police intervened and put a stop to the performance, citing “lack of morality.” It is such a pity I didn't get to see it for myself, but what's a time-travelling ballerina to do? On to the next performance then! I'm not one for missing out, and who knows what wonders await us in the next century!
Before I go, let’s do some tutu-tastic trivia about 1920!
- The dance “Scheherazade” debuted on this day in 1910! This opulent masterpiece, showcasing stunning costumes and set design, wowed the world. I am in awe of the Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov's stunning score for this show. It's a must-see for every ballerina, including myself!
- The famous Russian Ballet, known for their elegant moves, were just beginning their European tour on the 4th April! This was the time when dancers became stars and people would flock to see them! Can you imagine being adored so much? What a fabulous life! I imagine myself walking onto a stage as a celebrated prima ballerina!
- A new ballet style, ‘American Ballroom Dancing,’ made a debut in 1920, capturing the exuberance of the flapper generation. This would have been an incredible era to witness. Imagine, dances like the Charleston! You could wear a sparkly pink tutu while dancing! And I imagine, it would be so much fun, twirling away in those vibrant cafes of the twenties. I wish I could go to a party then, dance the night away and go home on my magic horse at the crack of dawn!
- Can you guess what else happened on this day? An American artist painted the original portrait of Gertrude Stein - one of the most influential and influential art collectors and writers of the time! This reminds me - how fascinating is the world of art and ballet combined?! I will definitely make a visit to see her later.
- Another exciting fact- did you know, on 4th April 1920, that a special ballet production of a French composer called Jacques Offenbach debuted in London, This performance included a charming and beautiful performance by Lydia Lopokova. A Russian dancer who I think had a special sparkle in her eye and amazing grace.
So, that's a peek at the ballet world back in 1920. It seems like an absolutely magical time, filled with innovation and artistry, just waiting to be explored!
Until next time, my dearest darlings! Be sure to follow along on my time-travel journey, and don't forget to embrace your inner pink-tutu wearing ballerina! You never know where your journey might take you! And remember to visit www.pink-tutu.com for all your time-travel ballet blog needs!
Keep dancing, Emma
P.S Don't forget to subscribe to my pink tutu page, follow my Instagram for more fun facts, and look for me performing near you. Remember, even if we're travelling through time, the world is still our stage!
