Hello my dearest tutu lovers! It's Emma here, and oh my goodness, I've had the most glorious adventure today! I popped onto my trusty Magic Meg, our pink sparkling shire with the golden hooves and swishy white tail, and we zipped back in time to the 3rd of March, 1946.
Now, you know how I adore the 1940s! All those chic hats, the glorious gowns, and the vibrant atmosphere of post-war Britain...and the ballet! It was quite the day to be in London, let me tell you.
Imagine my delight, darling, when I discovered that on this very date, the Royal Opera House presented the premiere of "The Sleeping Beauty". It was a big deal, folks! After all the darkness and chaos of the war, it was like a beautiful light had shone back into the world. People were desperate for entertainment and escapism, and the magical tale of Aurora and Prince Florimund, danced to the gorgeous Tchaikovsky score, provided just the thing.
The energy was electrifying! There was a sense of relief and hope that ran through the theatre as the audience watched the dazzling ballet. They applauded and cheered, and even shed a tear or two – such was the power of this iconic performance! I, of course, was front row centre, sporting my very own vintage-inspired pink tutu that wouldn't look out of place amongst the glamour of 1946. You know, my tutus have a magic of their own – I feel I blend in perfectly with any era.
Before the performance, I had a most delightful encounter with the wonderful Moira Shearer, a brilliant young dancer making her debut as Princess Aurora. She was radiant in her ethereal, pale blue costume, her movements delicate and elegant – true artistry! I managed to sneak a little peek at her dressing room (a girl can’t resist a peek!) and I managed to nab a pretty embroidered "Sleeping Beauty" ribbon for my collection, even managed to borrow her lucky bobby pins for a photograph! She even gave me a delightful little insight into the excitement surrounding the performance! It was a dream! Moira even promised to send a picture to me to put in the Pink-Tutu website, and what a stunning picture she was! Moira Shearer has such poise and style, don’t you think?
Speaking of my beloved Pink-Tutu, you should visit the website today - www.pink-tutu.com. We’re celebrating "The Sleeping Beauty"! You can find snippets of information, historical snippets and my amazing travel tips. The website is growing every month as I am constantly adding stories from my trips through time. Who knew ballet could transport you to other centuries, let alone another era in history, and what a marvelous journey it is too.
But I didn’t stop there, dear reader! My little adventure in London wouldn't have been complete without indulging in a spot of shopping! After all, fashion in the 1940s was simply fabulous! After I collected my “Sleeping Beauty” ribbon and signed up to join “The Royal Ballet" (I've always loved their work! And in 1946 they weren’t just dancers, they were really very “royally” regal!), I made my way to Harrods to see what treasures awaited. I was absolutely giddy at the exquisite selection of clothing! So many stunning fabrics, gorgeous prints, and feminine shapes – the ultimate embodiment of the era's elegance. I picked up the prettiest little navy silk hat with a delicate pink rose trim. You’ll see me wear it in our monthly photo on the front of Pink-Tutu, and it matches my new pink shoes which were very trendy!
It was an absolute whirlwind, darling. Magic Meg carried me to a few of the world’s leading ballets that evening. We made our way to Moscow where there was the performance of “The Nutcracker" (although called "The Nutcracker Suite") as an homage to their famed ballerina Galina Ulanova and on the way there, we popped in to Paris for an enchanting performance of the "Concerto for Orchestra", a beautiful ballet written by Serge Diaghilev – a ballet masterpiece! You have no idea, darling, how much I love those costumes, and the music!
It's such a beautiful reminder that even in the most turbulent of times, beauty and artistry flourish. The world is indeed a magical place – you just have to find your pink tutu and dance!
Do keep in mind my dearest ballet fans, I am here for you and Magic Meg will whisk us away for many more incredible ballets from many eras. It would be the greatest honour to dance with you. You may join me on my adventures on my web blog Pink-Tutu and I promise a delightful journey through the magical world of ballet.
Remember my darlings,
To wear pink, is to spread kindness ❤️.
Happy Dancing! 🩰
Emma x
