Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here! Welcome to my blog, Pink-Tutu.com, where we dance through the decades and celebrate all things ballet.
This month, Magic Meg, my magnificent pink shimmering Shire with the golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, is galloping us back to 1943! As always, my trusty leather rucksack is strapped to my back, ready to be filled with ballet treasures from this fascinating period.
So, letās whisk ourselves back in time and see what magical ballet moments awaitā¦
March 1943: A Time of Resilience and Beauty
The world in 1943 was a very different place from our own. The Second World War was in full swing, bringing challenges and uncertainty to every corner of the globe. However, despite the darkness, ballet continued to shine as a beacon of hope, a reminder of beauty and elegance in the face of adversity.
Imagine the scene! Bombs are falling, rationing is in full force, and people are making extraordinary sacrifices. Yet, somewhere within the hushed corridors of theatres, the music swells, and the dancers grace the stage, offering an escape, a moment of joy, a reminder of the enduring human spirit.
Now, I am always happy to get the information from my sources so it's always best to consult primary sources!
What was on stage in March 1943?
It was a month bursting with ballets across the globe, but my dear London, my beloved hometown, held some absolutely spellbinding productions!
The Royal Ballet was showing " Giselleā, a ballet about an innocent, village girl and her tragic encounter with a vengeful spirit! I can just imagine the hauntingly beautiful melodies of Adolphe Adamās music blending with the dramatic dance scenes, evoking the delicate love story in this ballet that just pulls at your heartstrings! This one really resonates with my love of tragedy, a dark but wonderful part of life! Then of course, the ballet was directed by none other than Ninette de Valois, a visionary dancer, and a true force in ballet history. And guess who had the honour of performing? Margot Fonteyn, the undisputed "prima ballerina assoluta" who redefined the elegance of this very demanding role! Talk about captivating artistry, her portrayal of Giselle had me mesmerized and my imagination took flight!
It wasnāt just the capital city getting its fix!
The Sadler's Wells Ballet were staging āThe Sleeping Beautyā. Now who wouldnāt be swept away with this beautiful story about Princess Aurora, cursed by the wicked fairy Maleficent, and then saved by the Princeās kiss?! Tchaikovsky's score is just stunning, a beautiful mix of charm and a hint of the dark and dramatic, perfectly suited to a balletic interpretation. Canāt wait to hop on Magic Meg and visit this show!
As the saying goes, you should go where your heart takes you, and of course I could never go anywhere without some truly stylish accessories and, you guessed it - TUTU is on the agenda today!
Pink Tutu Fashion: Finding elegance amidst hardship
Even during wartime, ballerinas didn't shy away from stylish dancewear. Think romantic flowing tulles with the lightest shades of pale pink or lilac and the cutest little slippers that had so much grace. This era brought ballerinas a refined sophistication, that made them stand out amidst the hardship, highlighting that fashion is, as I always say, a powerful form of expression, even in the face of adversity.
So Iāve brought a pink and pale lavender tulle to complement my look!
Magic Meg & Pink Tutu Street Ballet
It wouldnāt be right to come to this time period without popping along to a ballet performance and enjoying the city's heartbeat! Imagine! London! Ballet! A beautiful street sceneā¦ Magic Meg was snorting and eager for a performance of our own and I didnāt have to ask her twice! After all, isn't ballet meant to be seen? So off we went! We even encountered some lovely gentlemen from the army who gave a resounding cheer, what a lovely experience! And I just have to say, their eyes widened at the sight of the pink tulle, so what a delightful way to add a bit of colour to their day!
It is amazing to think, here, during the wartime period, how people could forget the weight of the world in a moment of magic! The joy in a danceā¦ A single, simple movement bringing peace and grace - how magical ballet is.
Ballet & the Human Spirit: Finding beauty in adversity
It was incredible seeing the courage of the people I met on this journey through 1943, with its hardships, its sacrifice, but also moments of light, love and, most importantly, that spirit of joy. I was left feeling very grateful. What better reminder is there that beauty, and the power of music and dance, will always find a way to blossom, no matter what life throws our way?
If youāve found my pink tutu time travel adventure interesting do take a look on my blog - Pink-Tutu.com where I can't wait to share with you my next historical dance adventure! Donāt forget, the pink tutu, it isnāt just about a dancewear ā Itās a state of mind, a journey to a place of love, joy and the beauty of expressing oneself!
