Hello, darling dancers! It's Emma, your pink tutu-clad time-travelling correspondent, back with another thrilling escapade through the annals of ballet history. This month, Magic Meg and I are jetting back to the glamorous year of 1921!
Oh, my darlings, December 12th, 1921, was positively bursting with exciting ballet happenings! Imagine my delight when I trotted into London, and found myself in the midst of the "Coppelia" season at the Royal Opera House! My heart went pitter-patter!
The costumes - oh, my darlings! I just adore that late Victorian/early Edwardian look - feathery and intricate with all those layers of tulle and satin. Can't you picture yourself in a flowing white dress, swirling and leaping with that classic, yet sophisticated flair?
You can't have ballet without a good performance though! This month, we were lucky to catch "Coppelia" with none other than Lydia Lopokova - the delightfully elegant and whimsical Russian prima ballerina. She danced as Swanilda, bringing such humour and charm to the role - truly a legend in her own right!
Now, don't get me wrong, I adore a classic like "Coppelia" but I also adore those early 20th century explorations in the ballet world! I think, especially for my fellow fashion enthusiasts, those were glorious years! It was so exciting to witness the birth of new artistic forms. In fact, this was the month that Serge Diaghilev's "Ballets Russes" premiered their ground-breaking production of "La Boutique Fantasque" by Leonide Massine. Just picture this, darling: "a dazzling kaleidoscope of Parisian shopping life." Now that's a show you wouldn't want to miss! I was positively swooning over the exquisite costumes and innovative choreography that showcased a new level of artistry, combining ballet and a playful, theatrical aesthetic.
Naturally, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to delve into some 1921 ballet fashion! Imagine delicate floral embroidery, pastel colours and satin ribbons all swirling in a magnificent dance. The fashion sense back then was such a whirlwind of colour and creativity! A dash of vintage pink here, a dash of shimmering gold there!
Now, darling dancers, my collection has been significantly boosted this month! Imagine, finding a programme from "Coppelia" with Lydia Lopokova's name emblazoned across it in bold, scarlet ink. I also managed to snag a beautifully detailed "Ballets Russes" advertisement, printed in lusciously vibrant colours - a total masterpiece.
However, our journey wouldn't be complete without visiting the birthplace of my own artistic roots - good old Derbyshire. And while the Derbyshire ballet scene back then wasn't quite as cosmopolitan as London, I found that little ballet communities are popping up everywhere!
I discovered a charming little dance studio, nestled amongst cobbled streets. In its quaint wooden frame, nestled amongst rolling hills, I saw the budding talent and passion of local dancers, young and old, united by their love of the art form. It made me realize that no matter where you are in the world, the spirit of ballet always lives, a sparkling flame dancing to its own beautiful tune!
So there you have it, my sweet danceline angels, a little glimpse of my dazzling journey into December 1921. I've returned home filled with inspiration, not only from the dazzling productions, but from those who work tirelessly to bring the magic of dance to the world!
Until next month, keep twirling, keep shining and always remember, my darlings, to wear pink! And I'll leave you with my favourite quote about the world of ballet: “It takes so much, takes such a special heart, to be a dancer.” ~ Suzanne Farrell
Your pink-tutu-wearing friend, Emma!
