Hello, lovelies!
Welcome back to Pink Tutu! This month, I'm whisking you back to March 3rd, 1952, with Magic Meg trotting alongside me as we tiptoe through the annals of ballet history! 🩰
I simply couldn't resist slipping into my new shimmering pink tutu with the delicate lace edging and taking Magic Meg for a spin back to a time when the world of ballet was buzzing with excitement! Let's see what's happening...
Oh my, I'm so smitten with 1952. London is simply positively bursting with ballet! This very day, the Royal Ballet was in full swing, gracing the stage at the Royal Opera House with * The Sleeping Beauty. * Now, if I remember correctly from my studies, this production, with scenery by Oliver Messel, had premiered the year before and was captivating the hearts of the nation, and probably the world. I can just imagine the whispers and gasps of delight in the auditorium - pure magic!
Imagine this: I could almost smell the jasmine, a fragrance that must have hung in the air of the auditorium! It's said that The Sleeping Beauty in 1952, was absolutely positively blooming with glamour, thanks to Messel's lavish design and choreography that simply oozed artistry and sophistication. The entire show, the stage, the ballerinas, everything would have sparkled, wouldn't it?
Talking about sparkles, don't even get me started on the fashion! I simply must have a reproduction of that *beautiful tutu they would have worn. Imagine – soft layers of tulle, all shimmering and airy, perhaps in a gentle blush or a glorious pastel pink! I just have to imagine the delight and delight in every plié, every leap, every turn - the magic of movement, elegance, and the poetry of form - oh my! The stories my rucksack could tell, the secrets from those decades…
But we're not done yet, darling. We've just reached the Royal Opera House when Magic Meg gives me a playful nudge, signalling, as only she knows, that our journey continues. And it's not just London in this exciting year, dearie!
Imagine this: A whole other ballet spectacular, Cinderella, danced by the Sadler’s Wells Ballet in their own lovely Covent Garden Theatre. You know me and fairy tales! They are simply a magical place to be. In 1952, the world's gaze turned to Cinderella. This show was nothing short of a magnificent masterpiece, showcasing not only the talent of these fantastic ballerinas, but also the brilliant artistry and vision of Frederick Ashton. Oh, the beautiful choreography. It just goes to show you: ballet, like fashion, is an art of storytelling, where every move is like an chapter, creating worlds of beauty, excitement and elegance.
Speaking of magic and worlds, I know, you just know that I'm obsessed with the beautiful, shimmering gowns worn by the ballerinas at Covent Garden that year! My dream, darlings, my very personal vision for a Pink Tutu world would be to transport everyone to that enchanting period, dressed to the nines in tutus made of gossamer clouds, and feathers, each as graceful as the dance itself. Don't you just adore this vision?
Of course, dearie, as always, this month's Pink Tutu pilgrimage doesn't stop at the glittering stages of London! There's so much more. Magic Meg and I journeyed to Paris, oh, la la, and there's no stopping ballet! It was here at the Opéra Garnier that ballet really found its wings. Can you picture that fabulous Paris? We are standing under the grandest chandelier in all of France, still, to this day, a masterpiece of sparkling beauty. How utterly glorious!
Back in Paris, at the Paris Opera Ballet, we found Les Sylphides , an exquisite and most important dance of this period. You can find my favourite ballerina, Yvette Chauviré, taking centre stage and dancing her heart out! It's an absolute thrill to imagine those lovely dance routines, each one so unique, a delicate story unfolding as we watch the grace of every leap and turn.
Just picturing them in the stunning ballet costumes from that era makes my heart sing! It would have been sheer delight to see those soft skirts of white and black - I do love monochrome! - swirling and twirling. These ballet beauties certainly understood the meaning of 'fashion'! And their choreography, simply exquisite, was a perfect match for their fashion sense! The elegance, the movement, it's just magic!
As you know, we’re not simply visiting a period in time – we're stepping into a beautiful story of passion, art and pure delight. A world where creativity reigned supreme, and every movement whispered stories of joy, dedication, and elegance. And of course, my dearie, let's never forget that in that time period, ballet had a powerful impact, enchanting and influencing every aspect of life from music to literature to theatre!
The journey wasn't just about the stages of London and Paris. We trotted through Italy, Austria, Russia, the Americas, all with a passion to share the ballet beauty, with everyone joining us in the enchantment. From glittering ballet balls to intimate dance classes, ballet, dearie, had everyone dancing to its enchanting tune! Imagine - every move, a graceful expression of human artistry! What a wonderful story, and this journey continues every day of our lives, especially on those days we choose to share our love of ballet through our dance moves!
Our next adventure will whisk us into a ballet-themed dream, an inspiring journey through a new year, a new period! So come back and join me! Until then, twirl on!
Love,
Emma x
