Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com. It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina. Today's the first of January, and believe me, it's not just any day in the world of ballet â it's 1st January, 1956! Buckle up, my dears, because we're going for a whirl through history.
Today, the wind whips a touch of chill through Derbyshire, and as I pack my pink satin ballet shoes into my leather rucksack, I feel the excitement building. My trusty steed, Magic Meg, my sparkly pink shire with golden hooves, waits impatiently at the stables. She's a girl who knows how to enjoy a good journey, that's for sure! She snorts and paw's the ground with her powerful hooves as I carefully settle into the saddle. With a whisper of magic and a touch of her reins, we're off! The world is my stage, and today, I'm dancing back in time.
It's January 1st, 1956. The year the world began to turn. Iâve brought my trusty pink tutu, of course, for the best way to make a statement, is to have a fabulous statement to make, and believe me, pink tutus in 1956 have an undeniable flair about them! Itâs the era of the ballerina, the dancer that everyone adores! They're graceful, elegant and so terribly sophisticated! Why, just last week I was in the mid-1800s, and those poor girls were practically drowning in their stiff tutus, and with a heavy veil at that, imagine how suffocating that would be? These days, in 1956, ballet is about being light, delicate and graceful, just like my beautiful tutu!
Now, my darlings, youâd be surprised at the number of dancers and companies gracing the world stages on this very day. Itâs positively a kaleidoscope of movement! First up is the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Oh, these dancers! Their virtuosity and charisma set hearts ablaze and leave audiences breathless. I heard they're putting on 'Les Sylphides,' and 'Le Sacre du Printemps'. Those two ballets really are game-changers and they bring a new vibrancy to the world of ballet! And of course, my love, you've simply got to see these dancers. You canât tell me you wouldnât love to see these exquisite ladies twirling about in their flowing tutus, oh the elegance of it all!
Meanwhile, over at the Royal Ballet in Covent Garden, a very special programme is going on, showcasing a performance by the glorious and talented dancers in 'Giselle.' Oh my dears! I just canât imagine anything more elegant, more beautiful. I love how that ballet always transports you to a magical world of romantic passion and delicate beauty. The intricate story with those exquisite costumes and choreography; simply exquisite! They will be on stage again tomorrow with a performance of âSleeping Beauty', that beautiful and dramatic story will be a beautiful treat for the eyes and the heart. What's more? The London Philharmonic Orchestra will be filling Covent Garden with a vibrant symphony to bring the music to life.
And what are my ballet darlings doing across the pond? In America, theyâre swooning over the New York City Ballet with performances like 'Firebird'. This stunning ballet is set to Igor Stravinskyâs glorious score - a perfect example of why ballet is the dance of magic. Oh, and you simply mustn't miss their new production of 'Western Symphony', itâs something totally new, bold, and fresh, truly breaking the mould of classical ballet. And they have a performance of âThe Nutcracker' planned for next month, a real showstopper and a heart-warming tradition you donât want to miss, dear!
Now, let's move a little further. Todayâs performance in Germany features the renowned dancers of the Bavarian State Ballet performing âSwan Lakeâ. I do hope you can grab a ticket if youâre in the vicinity. Itâs not to be missed, it's absolutely magical. Imagine delicate swans transformed with incredible grace into elegant swans, oh the emotion of it all! I truly hope you can join me for that one my dear. Oh, it would simply be exquisite!
But ballet isn't just about grand productions and dazzling costumes, darling. There are a myriad of other happenings around the world, that bring the spirit of ballet to the masses. In the United States, the Ballet Theatre Foundation is planning exciting initiatives to grow and promote the ballet scene in this flourishing art form.
Across Europe, we can find an exciting burst of artistic and educational development too, which will create a new generation of dancers. Ballet in France is taking a turn with a revival of the famous "FĂȘte Galante" and this will bring an explosion of energy into French ballets. And my darlings, if you fancy venturing further, over to South America, we can watch their ballet academies flourish with bright talent in a new wave of choreography and creative expression.
So many lovely, exquisite dance moments going on in this beautiful day of 1956! And I canât forget the gorgeous costumes Iâm going to be putting together in my pink tutu for these exquisite dancers. From luxurious satin to silky chiffons, each one a piece of art thatâs about to come to life. Pink will definitely be my statement colour with hints of gold and silver sparkles and a dash of pink feathers just for fun. The 50s are simply overflowing with fabulous designs and colours, a ballet dancerâs paradise, really!
This time-traveling dance party has left me exhausted but exhilarated. What will I bring home in my backpack, from this fabulous time period? Iâve got my eye on an enchanting ballerina poster from the premiere of âLe Sacre du Printemps," I will tuck it gently next to the stunning dance photos from Covent Garden and I simply must find some ballet shoes and socks from the 1950s! Now, off to my dance studio to work off this travelling buzz. Donât forget, dear darlings, that my time travels are funded by my own dance performances, I try my best to entertain and showcase the joy of dancing, so if you need a ballerina in Derbyshire get in touch, because your girlâs always ready to twirl!
Until next month, remember, your time travelling, pink tutu ballerina, is always here to share a beautiful story of the magic that ballet holds, so put on your tutus darlings, because everyone's got their own dance waiting for them.
