Oh, darlings, Happy New Year from yours truly, Emma! I’m just back from another absolutely sensational trip on my fabulous steed, Magic Meg, this time back to 1st January 1949. It’s a truly fascinating time in ballet history!
Do you ever think about all the incredible stories that are waiting to be uncovered within the tapestry of ballet history? Well, that's exactly what my pink tutu and I get to do each month! We travel back to a different date in time, exploring the vibrant, exciting, and always inspiring world of ballet. I'm thrilled to share these adventures with you, my dear readers, so you can all experience the magic of ballet through time.
Now, this particular journey took us to the chilly streets of London, where the new year was being ushered in with a rather sombre mood. Post-war Britain was still dealing with the harsh realities of recovery, but one thing remained unchanged - the sheer delight and magic of the ballet!
A London Ballet Scene
First things first, you have to picture this – it’s a brisk January morning, a crisp chill in the air. The London streets are still a bit sleepy, waking up slowly from the new year's revelry. And yet, nestled amongst the city bustle, a haven of beauty awaits in the heart of Covent Garden. It’s where the Royal Opera House is located, you see. And on that day in 1949, they were gearing up for something truly special - the premiere of "The Rake's Progress" by Igor Stravinsky, with choreography by Frederick Ashton. I couldn't resist a peek inside the opulent building, with its chandeliers shimmering, and the smell of anticipation hanging heavy in the air. Imagine, darlings! This production, set to Stravinsky's sublime music, would soon become a classic, with Ashton's brilliant choreography weaving a timeless tale of a man’s self-destruction and the love that tries to save him. I can almost hear the hushed anticipation of the audience, the rustling of programmes, the quiet excitement bubbling within the theatre's walls. I was transported back in time, truly a 'Pink Tutu Time Traveler' in every sense!
But my adventures didn't stop there!
Across the Atlantic to New York!
You see, this time, dear readers, I was on a mission! You might not know this, but the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) had been founded only five years before. They were building their legacy brick by brick, dance step by dance step, so I knew I had to go and experience their world! Now, if you picture me, pink tutu billowing gently in the breeze, riding a dazzling pink Magic Meg towards the glamorous New York, you’ll see why it’s been so inspiring, darling. My time travelling, pink tutu, has made me realise the magic of this beautiful artform spans continents and defies the constraints of time! I was eager to soak up the electrifying energy and incredible talent of ABT in their infancy.
The New York Ballet Scene
In the Big Apple, New York, 1949 was a year of tremendous excitement for the burgeoning world of dance. Imagine, dear readers, a ballet company in its nascent stages, making its mark on the world with each and every performance! It was a time when groundbreaking choreographers were creating innovative works that were pushing the boundaries of classical ballet, creating their own styles of ‘new ballet’ and making their marks in dance history. One of these choreographers, a dear chap by the name of Jerome Robbins, had just made his directorial debut with "The Thief." * It was an ambitious piece featuring the dazzling talents of *Agnes de Mille, one of my absolute favourite dancers. It's this type of groundbreaking work that makes me appreciate the artistry of ballet.
The Backstage Chatter - A Fashionable Adventure!
While I was watching the performance, the sound of a soft, hushed “hush!” broke through my reverie. There were whisperings in the back, like secrets passed through silk curtains, and I quickly found myself amidst the excitement of a rehearsal session! I could tell there were some incredible dancers there, working their magic to perfection. Imagine it – they were rehearsing "The Seven Deadly Sins," and what a grand title that is! And you know me, darlings, I'm not just here for the dance; I love a good backstage look, too!
The ballet company was working on "The Seven Deadly Sins" by Kurt Weill. The original 1933 performance by the company, I discovered, had costumes designed by Walter Gropius, who is now a design legend! This was before the days of Christian Dior, Givenchy, or the fashion houses we know today! The whole world was still in the throes of a great transition - with new ideas springing forth and blossoming into fashion, dance, and everything in between! I mean, just imagine a dance of 'Vanity' and a dance of ‘Wrath,’ wouldn't it be magnificent to witness? I know my little pink tutu certainly made me feel glamorous! The dancers, in their soft tutus and dance costumes, were working up a sweat, their movements sharp, controlled, and so expressive. And I noticed the wonderful combination of ballet with music, which just made me realise how beautiful it is when different arts are blended together to create something truly special. I have to admit, I was a little envious. But you know me, darlings – I have my pink tutu and my dancing horse, so that makes me a time-travelling princess!
My Magical Horse - A Magical Fashionable Pink Sparkle!
I spent hours chatting to the dancers and the crew, even adding a little “bling” to some of the sets! Magic Meg got involved too! It turned out my darling, sparkly horse loved dancing with the backstage folk – what a good girl she is. Her soft, gleaming white mane and tail seemed to echo the ballet dancers' movement, and I could imagine them swirling together in a dreamy, theatrical whirl. But Meg, of course, didn’t stay too long! That’s when the real fun started… I’m still working on perfecting my magic horse riding so she won't spook at all! And with a ‘neigh’ and a wink, off we flew to… a whole other adventure in another world of ballet history!
A Treasured Keepsake - From My Magical Pink Rucksack
I had to grab a quick souvenir before leaving the backstage. You see, darlings, this is what I love about my time-travelling – it’s like I’m on a giant treasure hunt! And so, I tucked away a tiny silk scrap, which the company had given me. It was from the beautiful costume of one of the ballet dancers! With each visit, my special rucksack gets filled to the brim with mementos – and today it is absolutely bulging with all sorts of treasures: feathers, silk, tiny pieces of paper, costume fabric scraps, and sometimes even tickets! It's incredible! This little scrap is now nestled next to a tiny piece of satin ribbon, another incredible memento I discovered in the backstage.
This year, darling, I want everyone to know the excitement and the artistry of the beautiful world of ballet. Why don’t we all wear a pink tutu today – as a nod to this "Pink Tutu Time Traveler's magical journey through history! It's going to be fun, don't you think?
Stay tuned, darling. More adventures to come! Until then, may you find your own magic every day.
All my love,
Emma
P.S - Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com! We're planning lots of special pink tutu treats and fabulous content for 2024 – and of course, more magical ballet history!
