Welcome, lovelies! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu clad time traveller, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be back with you for another captivating ballet escapade. It’s post number 3474 on pink-tutu.com - and this month I'm diving into a date brimming with dance delights: 6th June 1950.
Get ready for a whirlwind journey back to the fifties, as we witness ballet blossom across the globe. Buckle up and let Magic Meg take us there – she's positively gleaming in her pink, sparkling, Shire glory! She just loves travelling through time – and so do I.
As I always do, I’ll start with what's on the cultural scene…and in the ballet world. I just love discovering ballet premieres, famous dancers, the latest in dancewear fashion, and, of course, some delectable, theatrical storytelling. It really sparks my imagination and, who knows, maybe inspires you all to have a pink-tutu-filled time of your own, just like me.
Let’s Step Back In Time to June 6th, 1950
So, buckle up and let Magic Meg whisk you back in time…we are hopping through the years, landing in June, 1950. Now, the world is full of so much life - the war has been over for five years, and life is really bouncing back in Europe. But ballet is also coming into its own. For you and me, 1950 was a pretty interesting time for ballet:
Dance, Dance, Dance…A New Ballet Era
Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge that in this decade the international dance world was really blooming with talented choreographers. You have people like Jerome Robbins in New York and the legendary Frederick Ashton in London. It’s not just about ballet either. Choreographers like Gene Kelly were making waves in musical theatre, and ballet movements were influencing dance even in the biggest blockbuster musicals. Imagine, those glamorous dresses and perfectly executed steps influencing Hollywood movies!
Jerome Robbins was doing all sorts of amazing things in New York, but back here in England, Ashton’s "The Tales of Beatrix Potter" opened in June 1950. Imagine the magic of the iconic Beatrix Potter stories and their beautiful characters on stage! That’s such a sweet way to bring ballet to children – it really stays with you. Frederick Ashton, who became one of Britain's most acclaimed ballet choreographers was always looking for ways to bring joy to his audiences, and with this ballet, he really hit the mark. He brought a unique and fun new spin to ballet which had its own distinct style - and he made it accessible for people of all ages.
There’s one little, but rather important, thing to remember about ballet history. In 1950 the whole ballet world had a completely different look than it has today. Now we see all sorts of creative spins on the traditional pink tutu and there are more innovative costumes, so much diversity – it’s amazing. But back then, most ballerinas had their hair pulled tight, bunched in a low, neat chignon. They were sporting very full and voluminous tutus – and there were very specific shapes for different parts of the ballet. *Can you imagine? * So, if they were performing a piece like *"Swan Lake", * the ballerina would have a special shaped tutu to signify that it was the swan act! And the length of their tutus could tell you which dance scene they were going to do! I know what you are thinking….those tutues are definitely making a statement.
Now, we’ve gone back in time – and the dancers have gone through a little time travel too, because these are definitely not your modern dance shoes. There is none of that fabulous new ‘pointe shoe’ technology we’ve come to rely on nowadays. And think about their shoes! We take them for granted but back then, if you could see their toes… They were pretty painful and not as durable as the pointe shoes we use now – let alone the stylish designs you see nowadays. They didn't have the kind of support for dancers, and ballet fashion really reflected that – but, if we think about this – what a tough job, these ballerina dancers must have had – but, their perseverance is just what makes their ballet moves so powerful.
Time to See A Show:
Okay, so how about we catch some dance shows. Let me just tell you this is where I really get into the swing of things. As it’s 1950, it’s time for some fun at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. Oh, it was just magical back then! You could even catch "The Sleeping Beauty" there at that time.
If you think a big ballet performance like “The Sleeping Beauty” at the Covent Garden would have been the pinnacle of the dance scene for them - you'd be absolutely right. In a world without online booking, without Netflix or all the incredible variety of live theatre streams we see now, ballet performances really did reign supreme in the cultural world – a real highlight of any month. Just imagine all those people dressed in their very finest – it must have been such a wonderful, immersive experience.
As the crowds make their way into the Covent Garden - with maybe even that delectable ballet pink tutu peeking from under a fashionable coat – we've just got to get a feel for the music in 1950 too!
I think that a little taste of Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Debussy or Stravinsky is a real must if you’re taking in ballet in 1950, wouldn't you agree? The music really elevates your experience. Imagine, I would have just felt like I’d landed on a musical magic carpet ride in those early decades… a delightful trip, full of joy, optimism, and pure magic!
Now that you’ve caught the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at Covent Garden, wouldn't you like to take your place at The Sadler’s Wells Ballet? Now that was a really big name on the dance scene – you really have to check this out. Back in 1950, there’s one more place I'd love to take you all – to see another type of ballet and dance: the Royal Ballet's new home at the Festival Ballet in the London Palladium.
You may not be familiar with this but back then it was quite a big deal. Let's not forget our friend “The Sleeping Beauty” because the Sadler's Wells Ballet performed this masterpiece and you can bet I would have taken a prime seat. I know, right?, but how exciting would it be to see the very first performance in London? Now, there’s a memory that never goes out of style – how much fun to be part of such a legendary occasion? And just think of the dazzling outfits they had at Sadler’s Wells! Imagine shimmering, exquisite, silky satin dresses, adorned with beaded trimmings – it just takes my breath away, because what could be more wonderful? Oh, what a treat for a young time traveller like me – a taste of ballet history at its finest, right there, in 1950!
Now, a little fashion statement for our dancers is just the thing to complete our dance journey through time. And you know what, I’ve collected a real treasure trove in my trusty, old, leather rucksack. It has all sorts of little ballet accessories, costumes, dance shoes, and maybe even a few, little ballet dance items I’ve saved up through time… It has come in real handy. And do you know what? I have to tell you - the ballerinas of the fifties wore so many layers and big petticoats – think huge, full tutus – the layers made a ballerina look almost like a giant bell! Oh, the more I see the outfits from those times the more they truly amaze me. I love how their outfits could morph and change. A ballroom ballet scene would show all of that glitz, and then, wham, there it would be - the very stylish pink tutu for a ‘pink and pretty’ ballet scene – all about beauty, *elegance and simplicity, but with an amazing feminine flare.
Now, as we come to the end of our ballet time trip… let’s go out on a high note! I simply love all of these memories. Remember my favourite thing? Seeing all these magnificent dancers doing things I’m just too scared to even try, with this level of professionalism – what a wonderful job they do… they *truly make it look so easy… and they make all my dance dreams come true*.
So I can tell you with confidence… 1950 was a year for those passionate about dance! Ballet was at the peak of its popularity – and if it is even half as exciting today in my home in Derbyshire, I will have had the most fun time of all.
We've travelled back in time together and, now we have even more gorgeous memories! I know, you have a favourite part too! Maybe you really like what we discovered in our visit to London’s iconic dance venues, and who knows, perhaps you’re now dreaming of getting your very own tutu… Oh, let’s not forget Magic Meg, she’s always by my side – what would I do without her? Well, I think that it's time for me to head back home – with the amazing ballet magic I’ve gathered from 1950, and of course, to see the very latest ballet developments on this side of time - just imagine how different our little pink tutu will look and dance. Until we next journey through time, have a wonderful month.
I’ll see you next time for another tutu fantastic trip through ballet history. Until then, have a super pink month everyone! I can't wait for you to join me again!
See you soon! Emma x
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