Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your monthly dose of ballet history and all things pink! I’m Emma, your resident time-travelling ballerina, and this month, we’re twirling back to the 5th of May, 1933. My, oh my, what a whirlwind of a day!
I woke up to a gloriously sunny morning in Derbyshire, England, the sound of birdsong a delightful prelude to another exciting journey with my darling Magic Meg. She was snorting, her golden hooves tapping impatiently as I adjusted my dazzling pink tutu, a perfect swirl of tulle and sparkle. Oh, I do love the way the sunlight dances on it!
Today’s mission was to get a glimpse of the vibrant ballet world of 1933. I adjusted my leather rucksack, eager to gather some vintage treasures and stories, and off we went, a pink flash across the English countryside.
The first stop was London, the heart of ballet at this time! The atmosphere was electric. There was a sense of excitement in the air, a burgeoning fascination with all things creative. It wasn't long before I was whisked into the plush Royal Opera House. My, what an exquisite venue, full of history and elegance! And wouldn’t you know it, tonight was the opening night of the Sadler’s Wells Ballet's new season, a truly wonderful treat for my eyes and soul.
They were performing a triple bill - the first piece, ‘A Wedding Bouquet’ by Ninette de Valois, was an intricate choreography of playful flirtation and whimsical romance. Then came a ballet called 'The Rake's Progress', a more dramatic piece with haunting music, highlighting a journey of temptation and moral consequences. Finally, the company concluded with ‘The Fairy of the Snowdrops', a joyous, delicate ballet with graceful movements, transporting me to a fairytale realm.
The dancers, so captivating and skilled, transported the audience through different moods, different narratives with the graceful grace and expressiveness of their bodies. Each step, each pose, whispered a story. You could see the magic of ballet shining through, captivating all who watched. I found myself mesmerised by their ability to tell a story without a single word.
After the show, I found myself at the Sadler’s Wells Tea Rooms, catching up with some fellow enthusiasts. They were a delightful group, a mix of artists and dance aficionados, sharing passionate discussions about their love of dance. The conversations flowed easily over tea and scones, discussing everything from new talent emerging on the scene, to the evolution of ballet technique.
The second stop on our time travel adventure was Paris, where the ballets were filled with artistry, whimsy and pure joy. At the Opéra Garnier, the grand, opulent theatre, the audience, clad in their most elegant attire, were captivated by 'Les Biches' by Bronislava Nijinska. It was an exciting spectacle, an exquisite combination of dance and design, that captured the heart and soul of 1930s French sophistication. The costumes, designed by Jean Cocteau, were an art piece in their own right, shimmering, glamorous, and a perfect visual representation of the flamboyant spirit of the times.
Later, we joined the elegant crowd for a lovely meal at Maxim’s, an iconic Parisian institution at the time. A veritable feast of delicious delicacies, fine wines, and an ambience bursting with laughter, conversations, and Parisian flair. The conversation buzzed with debates about politics, fashion, and the excitement of this new era of dance.
The world in 1933 was a different one - more formal, more glamorous. Ballet itself had its unique elegance and social standing. You could feel a tangible difference in the way people appreciated it. And though it was a stark contrast to the way we experience ballet today, there was a timeless element - a love for the art form, for its ability to move the soul, a respect for its place in the artistic tapestry.
As I finished my time travelling for the day, my rucksack bursting with memorabilia – a faded programme from the Royal Opera House, a charming sketch of dancers I saw in Paris, and a postcard showcasing an advert for a ballet class in New York - I thought of how the passion for ballet transcends time.
So, dear readers, whether it’s 1933 or the year 2023, there's something timeless, something captivating, about the art form of ballet.
And never forget - don’t let anyone tell you a pink tutu is too much! I believe we all deserve a little bit of sparkle in our lives.
See you next month, lovelies!
Yours always,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
