Hello my dearest ballet bunnies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! I'm Emma, your fellow ballerina, passionate about all things pink, tutus and, of course, ballet! It's the 2nd of February 1947, and guess what? My trusty steed, Magic Meg, has just deposited us right smack in the middle of a flurry of snow here in… drum roll… New York City! Now, you all know I’m a sucker for a grand entrance, and what better way to arrive than with a magical pink sparkle horse, right? Especially when the snowflakes are falling like a hundred tiny tutus!
This month's adventure takes us to a time when the world was just starting to get back on its feet after the Second World War. Imagine: wartime rationing and uncertainty giving way to a blossoming optimism – that’s the energy I felt swirling around me as I hopped off Magic Meg's back. I was ready to soak up the vibes and find out what ballet was all about back in the late 1940s.
My first stop had to be the ballet studios. Can you believe it, ballet shoes back then had leather soles?! They were tough, but oh so impractical! Honestly, my dear, imagine the squeaking! As I gazed in at the dancers gracefully stretching, it struck me how much things have changed, yet also stayed the same. The discipline, the passion, the dedication – it’s timeless, isn't it?
Of course, no trip is complete without a dose of the fabulous, so next on my itinerary was the Metropolitan Opera House. It's a magnificent building! Imagine, with every elegant corner and majestic staircase – all adorned in plush velvet and rich mahogany, it was simply divine! The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and for once, my arrival in my pink tutu didn’t seem quite so out of place.
Now, you’ll be delighted to know, a certain renowned dancer by the name of Alexandra Danilova was starring in a production of "Swan Lake." A legend in her time, she truly stole the show! It was a joy to see her perform with such grace and precision, each pirouette and arabesque infused with such depth of emotion. I just knew I had to add her story to my growing collection of ballet legends!
Meanwhile, over in London, the Royal Ballet was getting ready for its big Spring season! Talk about excitement! My bag is already stuffed with ticket stubs and program notes – I'll be telling you all about the performance in next month’s blog. There was even an extraordinary production of "The Sleeping Beauty" playing in London's famous Sadler's Wells theatre! How fantastic! Can you imagine the beautiful costumes? It must have been truly magical.
But hold your horses! My journey isn't all about shows and grand stages. My trusty leather rucksack (it’s actually quite fabulous in a vintage way) was full to the brim with souvenirs from my whirlwind tour of 1947. Imagine, a darling little vintage ballet pamphlet, with its paper so crisp and thin, and a pair of hand-stitched pointe shoes from a vintage costume shop. And to think, the price for those pointe shoes was 50p back in 1947! Nowadays, it would probably set me back hundreds of pounds!
While I've filled my pockets with all the trinkets, what's more precious than a ballet story? The spirit of this time truly fascinated me – you could almost feel the joy at simply being back in the studio or the theatre after all the hardships. The joy of simply dancing – this resonated with my own passion for this wonderful art.
Speaking of passions, there's something new I want to share with you this month: a dance piece inspired by this trip. My choreographed routine features swirling ribbons, evocative music from the era, and of course, a playful hint of pink! I’ll be premiering it at my upcoming ballet show in Derbyshire, so if you’re nearby, be sure to come join the pink party!
Speaking of pink, this adventure has sparked an entirely new fashion desire in me, dear reader! Can you believe that ballerinas used to perform in dresses rather than tutus? Yes, my darling, a skirt rather than that majestic tulle swirl of a pink tutu! It truly breaks my heart. My dream is to have a pink tutu on every dancer across the world!
Before I go, remember – be fearless and follow your dreams. Whether you’re swirling through the streets in your own personal pink tutu or mesmerized by a performance on stage, let ballet be your inspiration. Until next time, dear ballet bunnies, keep dancing your hearts out!
And for all those who missed the latest fashion from our ballet bunnies on Instagram, make sure to check out #pinktutu!
Happy Dancing, Emma
P.S. I hope you enjoyed this blog post! My next stop in time is shrouded in secrecy. Let your imaginations run wild. Who knows where Magic Meg and I will end up next? Will it be Paris, 1930? Moscow in the 19th Century? The possibilities are endless, dear readers! Keep dancing, keep dreaming and keep reading my blog!
