Dearest tutu-loving friends,
How are you all doing this month? Have you all been twirling and pirouette-ing with glee? As you know, I love to share the wonders of ballet history with you. And so, let's journey back in time, my loves, to a balletic date of grand interest: 5th May, 1948.
Magic Meg, my pink sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves, pawed patiently outside my window, ready to whisk us away. As ever, my rucksack was prepped and preened â filled with my notebook and my trusty pink ballet pencil, ready to jot down stories and tidbits for all of you! I felt that irresistible thrill in my belly - that familiar pre-performance flutter, but this time it was tinged with the delicious excitement of the unknown.
With a skip and a swirl of my own, I was onto Magic Meg's back, our hooves kicking up dust, our hearts thrumming with the rhythm of the adventure. Off we went, across time, across the English countryside, and soon... there we were! 1948!
Ballet on a Sunday in 1948
My dear blog-loving tutu-ers, imagine the ballet world: London's Coliseum was aglow, the Royal Ballet, as it was then known, were holding their 'Ballet Evening' this Sunday. A mixed program: Job - a very powerful and dramatic ballet with stunning scenery by John Piper - followed by a little La FĂȘte Ă©trange â an airy, colourful delight, light and whimsical.
You can almost smell it - that rich, woody scent of the theatre; the anticipation, the rustling of programmes; the murmur of excitement; a magical aura that still exists for me.
And speaking of Magic... The atmosphere, it truly did have a magical air, a certain wonder that seemed to dance around the very theatre itself. You could tell the audience were excited about the two very different, very impactful pieces, with each featuring dancers and choreography that had captivated London in its own way. The mood, both inside and outside the Coliseum - oh, my loves, it felt electric!
But wait, thereâs more!
It was more than just the excitement for these particular works on the programme; this year was a milestone year. The year 1948 was seeing a blossoming of talent, the 'baby' days of modern dance taking its place alongside traditional, much-loved classics, alongside other captivating works by esteemed choreographers like Constant Lambert - Giselle, Job and the then director, Ninette de Valoisâs Don Quixote all making their debut within the following months. What a thrilling period for the London stage!
Oh, and that Giselle... oh, that was something to see! I even sneaked backstage with a little glitter in my handbag! That Giselle... just divine! A powerful portrayal by Margot Fonteyn - a truly incredible ballerina, and, by golly, her technique was flawless. To have had that grace and that energy on display right in front of me, even in the whispers of backstage magic, was truly a privilege.
I just knew my ballet notes were filling fast with memories and musings of my day at the Coliseum!
London Style - Tutu Twist
Back then, London fashion had that wartime elegance; slim, crisp styles were in, with classic cuts and lines. Yet even in that sleek and elegant aesthetic, the sheer delight of dance and a bit of the playful - something quintessentially "pink-tutu" - was seeping through.
My dear loves, in this era, the âtutuâ - though a touch different from ours, certainly wasn't lacking in drama, and a delightful flash of glamour and whimsy. Think simple lines, with soft yet beautifully shaped tulle - not unlike a ballet dancer's tutu, only shorter and often used as a striking statement on eveningwear. These gowns - almost as beautiful and dramatic as a true ballet costume - had become a beloved fashion feature of the time, with some elegant ladies of London fashion sporting tutus of silk or satin. How perfectly divine, isnât it?
Oh my, even though there werenât a sea of tutus as I would prefer â you can never have enough pink tulle in my book - a "tutu-edâ outfit would have certainly made a statement, and for that I commend the fashion-forward women of that era. And of course, one must never forget - we're only ever one elegant twirl away from changing fashion. grin
Travel Through Time, My Dear Loves
What else was happening? Ah! London was, like many cities around the globe, slowly rebuilding from the wartime. There was so much hope and optimism in the air. You know, that feel-good vibe we have after a successful ballet performance - a rush of joy, and of being part of something very special! It was just wonderful to soak up this special, happy energy.
The ballet scene wasn't just in London, you see. Across the English Channel in Paris, the world's most famous ballet, Swan Lake, premiered that year! With its enchanting beauty, with that dreamy, ethereal mood⊠Ah, it really is a breathtaking production!
And then thereâs New York! My oh my, it was simply vibrant. They had just welcomed the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in March with its star ballerina, Alexandra Danilova - who was truly dazzling on stage. It was such a magical event - so beautifully stylish!
So there you have it, dear readers! A grand little trip into the ballet history books of May, 1948. Oh, the wonder of ballet⊠It never ceases to amaze me, to enchant me, to give me butterflies and joy.
Do you see why my dream of spreading the love of the pink tutu - of sharing the joy and magic of ballet with the whole world - is so strong? And do let me know if any of you wonderful readers have any lovely memories of this year - of 5th May, 1948 - that youâd like to share.
Until next time, twirl gracefully, spread the pink, and let's celebrate the wondrous world of dance. See you on Pink-Tutu.com next month.
Love, Emma x
- www.pink-tutu.com
*(Remember: If youâd like to try time travelling yourself, always wear your pink tutu - it certainly seems to have worked for me, although I may be a little bit biased, of course!) *
