Hello darlings! Welcome back to another adventure with me, Emma, your pink-tutu clad, time-travelling ballerina blogger! This month, my fabulous steed, Magic Meg (a dazzling shire with pink-tinged sparkles and golden hooves, you know her!), whisked us back to a glorious autumn day in 1938. It was a simply divine 10th of October, crisp, fresh, and positively teeming with the promise of dazzling dance!
As a Derbyshire girl at heart, my journey to this day always reminds me of the countryside, crisp air, and golden hues, just like my beloved Peak District. You can always rely on autumn to bring about a sense of magic and wonder, and this trip proved to be no exception!
Now, I always pack my trusty leather rucksack when travelling through time, filling it with treasures – a ballet programme, an original score, a sketch, a costume – a bit of a souvenir to bring back the magic of each era. My time travelling through time isn't just about being a fancy pink tutu wearing blogger, its about exploring, celebrating and preserving the stories of dance!
Imagine, darlings, the grandeur of 1938. This was the golden age of cinema, radio waves were booming, and the world of ballet was awash with dazzling new styles and dazzlingly exciting talent. On this very day, back in 1938, some absolutely glorious ballet performances were captivating audiences across the world.
Let's talk about London. In London’s Covent Garden, the legendary Sadler’s Wells Ballet were performing their very first production, and can you believe it, it was none other than the beloved “The Sleeping Beauty”. The ballet is truly timeless, so it was incredible to be swept away to its story of magical slumber and triumphant awakening – all enhanced by those captivating costumes and the sheer artistry of the ballet. I popped into a little boutique, darling, and found the most charming velvet hat, a touch of 1930s flair, and naturally, pink! You will have to wait for the next blog for the pictures. I bought an amazing set of ballet shoes that belonged to a young girl, so beautiful.
Now, over in Moscow, at the Bolshoi Theatre, it was a day of thrilling Russian ballet. You see, on the 10th of October 1938, they performed a double bill of "The Flames of Paris" and "Swan Lake." I popped into a little tea room, they made an absolute divine chocolate mousse! They were using one of the old tea sets with intricate rose decorations – a vision of delicate pink and lovely floral charm.
In America, at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the world was watching as the American Ballet Theatre was having its inaugural season. And the showstopping work that opened their season? Why, the enchanting "Giselle", darling, it is truly a captivating tale. You could feel the raw passion and the beauty of this dance in every step. After the show, I bought some exquisite American “Giselle” costumes from the time, oh such intricate details! The layers, the sheer fabrics, and of course, a little touch of pink, a little bow, a feather here and there – just gorgeous, don't you think?
Oh, my darlings! But wait, it gets even more exciting. Did you know that on this very same day, Diaghilev's Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, that's right, a true icon of the ballet world, was performing “Les Sylphides” in Berlin? Now, "Les Sylphides," a beautiful, ethereal, utterly captivating work of art! This was the kind of dance that was so effortless, and yet, so beautifully challenging, it was breathtaking. There I discovered an incredible vintage scarf from that time – just imagine it, silk and delicate details and, what do you know, a splash of pink, of course!
After taking in all of these beautiful shows and being totally charmed by these dazzling dancers and their creations, I have to say that this 10th October in 1938 was a simply unforgettable day. You can truly see, dear readers, that dance was everywhere back then, captivating hearts, inspiring souls and setting the stage for ballet history.
So, there you have it, darlings, just a little snippet of our journey back to 1938. Did I mention the delicious hot chocolate? It was made in a vintage teapot, with a sprinkle of pink glitter.
As always, remember, we can all be dancing fairies with our hearts! Until next time, dear friends, keep on dancing!
Emma xx
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