Hello darling tutu lovers! Emma here, your time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you away on another adventure through history. This month, we're twirling back to 7th July 1951, to the glittering heart of New York City and a world-renowned ballet premiere. Grab your tea and a biscuit, because this one’s a real doozy!
My trusty pink-sparkling Shire horse, Magic Meg, galloped me through the bustling streets of Manhattan, past neon signs advertising the latest Broadway hits and gleaming chrome-plated cars. Even back in 1951, New York was a city that never slept, and the air crackled with anticipation for the opening night of "The Age of Anxiety." This wasn't just any performance – it was a ground-breaking ballet by Jerome Robbins, featuring Leonard Bernstein's incredibly moving music, inspired by W.H. Auden’s poem.
Imagine my delight! You simply cannot tell a proper ballet story without brilliant choreography and a symphony of beautiful sounds! It was all the things that I adore about the ballet world, packed into a single, electrifying performance!
The atmosphere at the City Center was simply electric! People from every walk of life, decked out in their finest attire, were eager to experience this momentous occasion. It was the kind of buzz you get just before the music starts, when your heart leaps and you feel the magical energy rising, Ready! Set! Curtain Up!
"The Age of Anxiety" showcased a beautifully modern take on storytelling through ballet, A group of four young New Yorkers were navigating the chaotic post-war world, a world very much in line with Auden's poem and Bernstein’s score. I had never experienced anything quite like it before!
The ballet tells their story through powerful choreography. The movement, as the title suggested, is often jerky and hesitant – even at times frenetic, reflecting the unsettled times they are living in. You could truly see their emotional journey through their body language. Each one of the dancers poured their soul onto the stage, showcasing both the turmoil and tenderness of their world.
In my opinion, this ballet is a masterclass in ballet choreography and it is utterly heart-wrenching. This ballet takes on issues that we still face today – a yearning for connection, the pressure to succeed, the overwhelming sense of doubt, fear, and isolation. In many ways, it truly transcends the specific time period and still resonates today, which I love so much.
In a very different kind of ballet news, Margot Fonteyn, one of the most famous ballerinas of all time, was also a huge talking point on this particular day. She was performing “Swan Lake" in London, wowing audiences as she always did. The reviews were ecstatic about the brilliance of the dancer and the exquisite costumes. I could hardly bear to be away!
But after the curtain came down on "The Age of Anxiety", I had my time-travelling tasks to accomplish. I felt a little nervous approaching Jerome Robbins as he stepped from the stage to a chorus of applause.
You see, I can’t resist gathering stories and memorabilia on my trips, and the leather rucksack on my back always contains a precious pocket for some of the special ephemera from each of my time travels. It was packed full of ballet ephemera – and then he turned to me.
“Is there something I can help you with, love?” He said.
I felt my face flush. There I was – this small girl in her pink tutu, faced with one of the legends of ballet, my heart thumping with an impossible desire.
Taking a deep breath, I simply explained about my ballet time travel blog and how I loved his creation. He grinned, thanked me, and asked if I’d like his signature, a souvenir for my travels! My hand trembled slightly as I held his script to his new creation, with the pen scratching a neat message onto the paper for my rucksack! I have to confess that this one might go into a special section for all of the very best bits!
My visit to New York for this particular ballet experience felt like a magical and incredibly rare peek into a ballet world so exciting, so contemporary, and so thrilling. If there's one thing I took away from my time travelling adventure, it was this – ballet is timeless, always changing, and constantly inspiring!
This evening has shown me that no matter what year it is, there is a constant and compelling passion for creativity. It is this passion that continues to draw us to the theatre and reminds us of the importance of storytelling and its profound effect on our lives. As for the beautiful, graceful movements on stage…well, let’s just say that is something that continues to captivate me as it has done throughout history!
And remember, darling readers, as always – my pink tutu door is always open. Why not let me know about the ballet highlights from your part of the world? Or tell me what you think of this latest adventure! Let's keep the conversation flowing on the www.pink-tutu.com website, and together, let's continue to dance through the ages!
Yours in tutu-tastic time travel, Emma
P.S. Did you know that “The Age of Anxiety" had a revival on Broadway last year? Perhaps we could plan a little trip back to that special evening, but only if you promise to wear your pink tutu!
