Welcome back, darlings, to my monthly jaunt through time, courtesy of Magic Meg and my trusty pink tutu! This month, we’re taking a trip to August 8th, 1943. Now, I know what you're thinking – 1943! A bit grim, wouldn’t you say? But even in the darkest of times, ballet thrived! The dance is an expression of the human spirit, a beautiful art form that flourishes even in the midst of turmoil.
This is post number 3392, and you can find my other adventures on my little website – www.pink-tutu.com – I add a new post each month, full of beautiful ballet inspiration from different eras.
This month, the pink tutu twirls around wartime England and a ballet production that certainly wouldn't be out of place in a modern-day contemporary theatre: A Dance to Freedom, at the Royal Opera House. A blend of dance, music, and wartime messages. Imagine! It must have been such a poignant experience for the audience!
Before setting off, my little ballerina-heart was already fluttering with excitement for this journey. Wartime is certainly not all gloom and doom! It's a time of remarkable resilience, of art and beauty blooming in the most unlikely of places. This trip, of course, requires careful planning and a few sartorial considerations. My 1943 ensemble was a chic wartime twist on the classic ballet look. Think a powder-pink tutu with a hint of floral embroidery, a black-and-white print cardigan to combat the English weather (although Meg was kind enough to gallop through the sunniest stretches), and some adorable knee-high boots! And, of course, Magic Meg had a cute pink ribbon on her magnificent white mane and a sparkle-filled saddle matching my golden tutu shoes. Don't forget, I never leave home without my trusty leather rucksack for collecting the wonderful ballet history goodies of the period.
After an exhilarating time-warp, the cobbled streets of 1943 London came alive! There's a peculiar magic in travelling through time; even the scent of the air is different. It’s a world of blackouts, rationed treats, and endless wartime songs on the radio. Imagine the joy of stepping out after months of restrictions and finding solace in the beauty of ballet.
This journey's highlight? Watching A Dance to Freedom! The entire show was a whirlwind of emotions! There's something truly magical about watching dance amidst historical events, and in a wartime production, the artistic expression feels heightened. I even bought a programme, signed by one of the dancers! Now that's a piece for my collection!
Of course, I wasn’t going to leave the city without taking in some fashion inspiration. Wartime chic was about being resourceful, creative, and elegant on a budget! It was an absolute pleasure browsing through the vintage shop windows. What beautiful designs! Women were making do with less, creating wonderful silhouettes from whatever materials were available. A simple scarf was transformed into a chic hat, and I swear I even saw a little girl's ballet tutu used as a playful headband!
As you know, one of my goals is to bring pink tutus to everyone, across the ages. During the 1940s, the ballet world was undergoing a shift - a move towards a more grounded, contemporary style. While ballet techniques evolved, it remained a true symbol of grace, beauty, and freedom – qualities that resonate across the ages!
I am completely mesmerised by how the art of ballet survived, even thrived, during such challenging times. Ballet gave people something to hope for, something beautiful to aspire to. It’s this resilience, this powerful sense of optimism, that is the true essence of dance and its power.
After my whirlwind of wartime adventures, Magic Meg and I returned home with a renewed sense of appreciation for our past and a burning desire to share ballet's wonders.
Until next month, dear friends! I'll be scouring for pink tutu adventures from a time even further back! Do share your own experiences with vintage ballet - I adore reading your comments. Happy dancing, dear friends, until we meet again.
Emma x
