Welcome back, dear readers, to my little corner of the internet! It’s Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, and I'm so excited to share with you the adventures I had on June 6th, 1926. You can’t imagine the fun we had, and, trust me, the outfits were truly spectacular!
This month, Magic Meg (my magnificent pink-sparkling shire horse with golden hooves – oh, the way she shimmers in the sunshine!) whisked us away to 1926. You know I love a good vintage vibe, and this year was chock-full of exciting ballet developments!
We set off on a sun-drenched afternoon from my little Derbyshire village, a twinkle in my eye and a skip in my step. My trusty leather rucksack, stuffed with tulle and my notebook for capturing all the amazing stories I find, bounced merrily on my back. You never know what fabulous ballet secrets are hiding in the past, and let me tell you, I wouldn’t miss them for the world!
Our first stop? The dazzling city of London, where the atmosphere was positively buzzing with the excitement of a brand-new production! The Royal Opera House was hosting a premiere of a ballet unlike any other – “The Prodigal Son” by Serge Diaghilev. You wouldn’t believe the beautiful, lavish costumes – so decadent, it was practically dripping in jewels!
As I waltzed into the foyer, it was like stepping into a grand ball scene. Ladies and gents were adorned in the finest 1920s fashion – dazzling flapper dresses and impeccably tailored suits. They looked ready to dance the night away!
Seeing those ladies in their chic outfits with feather boas and sparkly beading ignited a little spark within me – I couldn’t help but wish I could incorporate that vintage glamour into my modern ballet wardrobe! A vintage-inspired pink tutu with a flapper-esque fringe? Oh my, it would be utterly fabulous!
The performance itself was truly captivating. Choreography by the talented Michel Fokine, music by Sergei Prokofiev – a magical combination that brought the tale of The Prodigal Son to life with such emotive storytelling and beautiful grace.
Next on the itinerary was Paris! You see, June 1926 was a time of incredible growth in the world of ballet, and I wouldn't have missed the chance to soak up all the Parisian excitement.
Stepping out of the train station, my eyes were wide with wonder at the glamorous city – cobblestone streets, grand cafés, and ladies with hats bigger than their heads. It was such a vibrant, artistic scene, and a delightful contrast to my quaint English village life.
Now, there were actually two major happenings in Paris for our little pink-tutu-wearing blogger – a show I had to see with my own eyes!
Firstly, a special gala performance by the legendary Sergei Diaghilev and his esteemed Ballet Russes at the Palais Garnier – a truly iconic venue! Can you believe it? They were celebrating the 15th anniversary of their company, and it was an absolute joy to witness such artistic talent, so much elegance, such a dazzling spectacle of colour!
Of course, I had to capture all the excitement in my ballet journal. The stage, shimmering with luxurious scenery and costumes, truly stole the show! One must not forget the dazzling performance of “Le Sacre du Printemps” – this one has an edge to it, bold and daring! A must-see if ever you find yourself transported to the Paris of 1926.
Now, you must be wondering what was the second Parisian delight that took my breath away… well, dear readers, I must tell you, I had the honour of witnessing the debut of a new, sensational ballet star – none other than the breathtaking dancer, Alexandra Danilova! I simply couldn't resist taking a class at the École de Danse, where she studied in Paris! Oh, the joy of it all – such a talented young dancer with so much promise.
She seemed destined for stardom, with a captivating stage presence that was captivating, a graceful athleticism and, most importantly, the dedication and passion that are truly the soul of a dancer. As I slipped into my own little pink tutu for a dance, I realised there are such magical connections through dance that transcend time and space.
While visiting Paris, we even had the chance to meet the iconic designer, Coco Chanel – her iconic style had begun to take the world by storm! Such inspiration to bring to my own pink-tutu wardrobe! Just imagine, a chic, elegant pink tutu designed with her flair, a true fusion of ballet elegance and Parisian glamour – divine!
Then, we returned to London! We all know, dear readers, a visit to London wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through the famous Hyde Park. And there I met another talented dancer who would change the face of ballet!
Alice Markova. You know, we had been lucky to watch the Royal Opera House and catch some glimpses of her as a soloist with the company – her skill and artistry were remarkable! This visit felt special – she was radiating a vibrant energy and a confidence I found incredibly inspiring. I've taken copious notes and believe I will be adding a couple of Markova’s inspired steps into my routines in my next performance!
With each dance, each new ballet encounter, a little piece of the world is added to my understanding, and this knowledge makes my pink tutu dance brighter than ever! As we travelled from London to Paris, Paris to London – my mind buzzing with the wonder of this exciting time period!
Before returning to my little village, we were privileged to watch the Ballet Russes one last time at the Coliseum Theatre – the atmosphere was positively electric!
Just as I thought the day couldn't get any better, we ran into the renowned dancer and choreographer – Anna Pavlova!
You can’t imagine the flutter of excitement in my chest, I felt like a schoolgirl in front of a movie star. Such a captivating, ethereal presence! You could sense her immense talent, her power, the way she captivated an audience with every gesture – her dance was like poetry in motion.
She had a unique charisma that drew people in and made them feel truly connected to the emotion she portrayed through movement. It was so inspirational to watch someone with such profound dedication to her craft. It was a dream come true, really – like having the ballet universe's greatest stars in the same room with me! I may even have gotten my signature pink tutu in the photo, I just had to capture this incredible memory forever.
You know, dear readers, this was an absolutely remarkable day! There’s nothing quite like immersing myself in the history of ballet. The fashion, the artistry, the vibrant, passionate spirit of the dance community – I can’t wait to share more amazing stories and discoveries with you.
I’ll see you again next month, when Magic Meg whisks us off to another fascinating time and place. Remember, the world is our stage! And for those of you in my corner of the universe, always remember to dance like nobody's watching and, most importantly, wear your pink tutus with confidence!
Until then,
Emma, the Pink Tutu Ballerina!
P.S. You can read this post and thousands more on my blog at www.pink-tutu.com – join the ballet world and lets make our dance a magical one. I am always on the look out for some pink tulle so be sure to write if you have some! And dont forget to post any tutu inspiration or amazing photos on my instagram #pinktutuballerina!
