Hello, my darling dance devotees! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, and I'm so excited to share with you another peek into the history of ballet! This month, I'm taking us back to 1925, specifically the 4th of April, a date brimming with excitement and artistic flair.
Now, let's get on with my adventure! I hopped aboard my darling Magic Meg – my shimmering, pink-and-golden Shire horse – and off we went. Just a flick of my magic pink ballet shoes, a dash of sparkly dust, and we were soaring through the sky towards a glamorous 1920s! Imagine, dear reader, my lovely pink tutu fluttering in the wind as we travelled! Just picture it – a vibrant, joyful, pink explosion against the azure canvas of the sky!
Landing in a bustling London, my eyes were immediately drawn to the bright colours and geometric designs that were everywhere. The world of fashion was already in the throes of its exciting, daring 'flapper' era, and you just had to be noticed. It was thrilling to be amidst this new era of women’s fashion – independent, daring, and free!
My first stop was Covent Garden, of course! And let me tell you, the place was positively alive with theatre magic! I felt a tingling thrill in my toes just seeing the elegant Art Deco facade of the Royal Opera House – it just begs you to imagine all the enchanting ballets that have unfolded within its hallowed walls. Oh, to have been there to witness those grand performances, those thrilling dances, those stories unfolding in a whirl of tutus and elegant leaps!
This day in 1925, I was particularly delighted to find that the Royal Opera House was hosting a special treat – The Sleeping Beauty ballet by Tchaikovsky! I squealed with delight - one of my all-time favourites!
However, 1925 was more than just a time of grand classical ballets. I noticed a delightful new energy brewing in the air – a sense of exploration and new ideas that made me giddy with anticipation! And, it wouldn't be a proper ballet-time travel trip without exploring a little beyond the well-known and into the burgeoning world of modern dance. I heard whispered tales of this revolutionary form taking root in the bustling metropolis – a new dance, full of exciting ideas and freedom of movement, inspired by modern life, where the possibilities seemed truly limitless!
As I was strolling past the V&A museum, I spied a curious, slightly chaotic event - a vibrant group of young women were creating bold movement expressions, and it filled the air with energy! I realised I was in the midst of a thrilling dance revolution, one of the key moments in the genesis of modern dance, a style that embraced all kinds of movement.
Now, don’t imagine I forget the important things – you know, the essential necessities of every ballerina time traveller! I had to have my ballet shoe shopping fix. A grand dame with an elegant, sharp bob – a true style icon – greeted me with a knowing smile in a shop called Liberty’s, one of the most chic places in all of London! Oh my, the sheer fabrics and satin slippers in such gorgeous shades – the choices were positively intoxicating!
The beautiful hand-painted shoes with pearl embellishments and shimmering fabrics nearly had me weeping with joy – and you just know I snapped up some goodies, darling! Even Magic Meg got a treat – a silken lavender and rose petal smelling headband!
I even took some time to peruse the stunning, chic 1920s clothes that surrounded me. Oh, what an inspiring era it was! All about daring flapper styles, dropped waists, bright beaded flapper dresses, feather boas and stylish little cloche hats. I tucked a picture of the styles into my little brown leather backpack, as well as the most gorgeous lace pattern for a potential new tutu I'm considering for the end-of-year ballet performance!
But before I said goodbye to this vibrant, history-filled era, I stumbled upon something truly remarkable: an elegant book in a small antiquarian bookstore near the Tower of London, a treasure trove of hidden stories! This tome, The Ballet Book, was written by a wonderfully enthusiastic ballerina called Catherine Bell. The cover featured a vibrant picture of dancers swirling across a stage, the words *The Ballet Book * written in a elegant, curling script I just couldn’t resist picking it up – an absolute must for my ballet backpack!
This book was chock-full of historical detail, an insightful guide to ballet as it was in the early 20th Century, with breathtaking pictures of performances from the time – dancers from Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes to the stunning creations of the renowned Parisian ballet companies – pure delight! The pages were crammed with insightful observations and detailed sketches of famous ballerinas and innovative ballet styles. I knew this treasure had to be a part of my collection. It even included little tips for future generations on how to improve technique!
So, my darlings, this month's ballet trip took me through a wonderfully exciting and vibrant 1925. And as always, it left me with a feeling of immense gratitude for the power and joy of dance.
See you next month with more fabulous ballet time travel!
Yours always, Emma x
