Hello darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, back with another delightful dive into ballet history! June 1924…oh my, what a sensational time to be alive, especially for a ballet enthusiast like myself. This month, my dear steed, Magic Meg, took me on a magical journey to 1924. Let's take a twirl back in time, shall we?
As I perched on Magic Meg's back, her golden hooves glittering like the stage lights after a grand finale, the world swirled around us, landing us smack-dab in the midst of a roaring twenties' ballet scene. Can you even imagine?! I felt my heart flutter like a ballerina's pirouette as I inhaled the crisp June air, taking in the vibrant atmosphere.
My little leather rucksack was ready, brimming with anticipation for all the incredible ballet stories and memorabilia this trip would offer. The first thing I noticed? A sea of pink! Seriously, everywhere I looked - from the glamorous dresses of the ladies in the audience to the elaborate costumes of the dancers themselves – the colour pink was utterly on-trend! The Roaring Twenties, oh my, what a decadent era for ballet fashion!
The most intriguing sight was at the London Coliseum. The stage was abuzz with the thrilling premiere of 'La Boutique Fantasque'. Oh, it was a masterpiece! A fantastical journey to a toy shop with a cast of utterly captivating dolls – how much more glamorous can ballet get, darlings?! You see, that's the beauty of time-travel. Not only do I get to witness amazing ballets like this one, but I can gather information about them, share it with you, and ensure everyone has a chance to fall in love with ballet too!
Did you know that the dance critic for The Times, Cyril Beaumont, described this performance as having an "uncommonly clever" choreographer and a ballet so utterly unique, that he deemed it one of the “greatest of the period!” Imagine, a critic comparing this to ballets by choreographic giants like Nijinsky! Well, I've added a lovely bit of fabric from the dancer's costume to my rucksack.
Then, there was 'The Sleeping Beauty,' being presented at the Alhambra in Leicester Square – talk about the ultimate classic! I was simply entranced! What truly captivated me were the exquisite tutus, some fashioned from delicate gauze, some decorated with opulent sequins and a plethora of shades of pink, oh my goodness, it was enough to make your head spin! Each tutu had such incredible detail. As I peered down into the audience, I saw a plethora of women's dresses that reminded me of the elaborate tutus and costuming of the ballerinas on stage, with the beautiful lace and layers of silk - It was like one giant ballet class had arrived! It truly was a testament to how fashion and ballet intertwined seamlessly during this era, don't you think? Of course, I couldn't leave without some delightful lace and embellishments from this show for my own personal collection!
But our journey wasn't confined to London alone, darlings! We hopped on a train and took a quick jaunt down to Derbyshire - my home turf! It was such a thrill to see my very own county, all those years ago. Can you believe, they were putting on a performance of 'Coppelia' in Buxton, my local town! It was right there, in the iconic Buxton Opera House, that the first ever ballet performance had been held back in 1852!
This 'Coppelia' production seemed to embrace the spirit of the times, with beautiful vibrant costumes and music that had everyone in the audience singing along. It reminded me that ballet is not simply for grand theatres; it thrives in local communities and brings people together from all walks of life. This local ballet scene is truly what fuels my love for this art form, isn't it? And who knows, maybe my time travels inspire more of you to explore your local theatres and community ballets, eh?
I have to tell you about a special moment in Buxton - after the show, I walked over to the local bakery and oh, my word! The most exquisite pastel-pink macaroons were waiting for me. I simply had to try one - so delicate and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. These delightful macaroons remind me how ballet can inspire even the most humble of experiences, don't you think? I, of course, took a few for the journey back with me, and tucked them neatly into my little leather bag for later.
June 1924 was a feast for my ballet senses. With the glorious tutus, decadent ballet fashion, and the heart-stopping dance performances – I truly felt transported into another world, a world full of glamour and grace! And guess what, dear readers, it all reminds me that pink is always in fashion!
Of course, I always come back with treasures from my travels. And my latest collection is just divine. A snippet of sequin-embellished tulle from 'La Boutique Fantasque,' a couple of perfectly preserved feather boas from 'The Sleeping Beauty,' and, of course, a selection of pastel pink ribbons - pink is, after all, my favourite!
Don't forget, darlings, visit www.pink-tutu.com for more ballet stories and be sure to share your favourite moments from your local ballet shows with me. It's always so heartwarming to know that I'm inspiring people to enjoy ballet as much as I do.
Until next month, keep those pink tutus twirling and embrace the world of ballet, one pirouette at a time!
Love,
Emma xx
