Dearest Pink Tutu readers,
Oh, my dears, how exciting it is to be here again in my pink tutu for another time-hopping adventure, perched on my shimmering pink, magical steed, Meg! Her hooves glimmer with golden dust, and her white mane and tail are like clouds in the sky - pure magic. I feel utterly inspired by her sparkling beauty.
Today we're galloping back in time to the 12th of December, 1943. The world is at war, but thankfully, even wartime can't dim the incandescent glow of ballet! It's actually an utterly fascinating period for ballet. You see, wartime brought a burst of creativity and innovation to ballet – a rejuvenating, beautiful, bright light in a rather gloomy world. The nation needed joy and artistry, and ballet was there to deliver.
I arrived in the bustling city of London, its buildings shadowed by the blackouts, but alive with an indomitable spirit. I made a beeline to the Royal Opera House, or the "Covent Garden" as it was fondly called then, and my heart practically burst! The theatre was adorned with beautiful wartime decorations, a touch of whimsy and grace. There was even a magnificent Christmas tree bedecked with glittering baubles and twinkling lights.
The air thrummed with anticipation. Londoners, tired from war's hardship, longed for escapism, a dose of pure, unadulterated beauty, and ballet was just the antidote. My eyes danced with excitement. I watched from the balcony, my rucksack slung comfortably on my back, ready to collect precious ballet trinkets and stories.
As the curtains rose, the London audience erupted in rapturous applause for the iconic Sadler’s Wells Ballet, the forerunner to today’s English National Ballet. The atmosphere was electric. People were glued to their seats, lost in the beauty and grace of the performance, forgetting for a little while the struggles of wartime. It was as if the ballerinas, light as feathers in their beautiful costumes, floated across the stage, bringing the magic of flight to a nation yearning for a respite.
One particular dancer, Moira Shearer, mesmerized me. I simply had to have a piece of her costume – a beautiful, intricately beaded bodice in rich sapphire blue, shimmering with subtle gold sequins – just heavenly! You bet I slipped a snippet from it into my rucksack! Such incredible detail, oh my! I can almost hear the tinkling music in my ear as I write this – my, it's so romantic, so evocative.
Moira herself – I have to tell you! – was like a ballerina out of a fairytale! With delicate features and eyes as deep as a summer sky, she danced with such grace and heart. You could see the passion of the stage seeping through every step, every expression. Just a pure delight!
The war wasn't just on land though. A performance of Giselle in London by The American Ballet Theatre caught the world's eye with a story so beautiful and moving. A story of love, betrayal, and heartbreak, wrapped in the magical cloak of a ballerina's grace and ethereal movements. Imagine! A performance so captivating, it made audiences in war-torn Europe forget about bombs, sirens and rationed butter. It brought the entire world, even with all the fear and darkness, to a standstill for just a moment – that, dear readers, is the true power of ballet!
Oh, but I mustn't forget the fashion! Now, you can imagine the ingenuity with which the dancers, those glamorous queens of grace, adapted to wartime restrictions. Their dresses – I must say, utterly divine – used recycled materials and inventive designs, just bursting with colours, charm and creative flair.
Just the sight of all those beautiful tulle skirts swirling in a captivating, whirling ballet was pure enchantment. One particular costume, with layers of delicate tulle that swirled in captivatingly rhythms was a dream, reminding me of a pink sunset over the hills of Derbyshire. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest at its elegance. It brought me back to our Derbyshire valleys, all rolling green hills and whispering winds, with a burst of color – a true joy.
You know what I think, dears? Ballet, especially during times of turmoil, has this magnificent ability to transport people – through the story, the emotions, and of course, the unimaginably gorgeous and intricate costuming! So next time you find yourself struggling, you must remember, dance your cares away! If we all just try to channel that balletic spirit - with grace, creativity, and passion - who knows what incredible magic we can achieve!
Until next month, keep your tutus at the ready, my dear friends, for more ballet adventures are waiting to be unveiled!
Emma, your very own, pink-tutu-wearing time traveller.
www.pink-tutu.com
