#BalletHistory during 1956 02 February

Post #3542: www.pink-tutu.com

Hello my lovelies! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another exciting adventure from the world of ballet history. This month, I'm whisking us back to February 2nd, 1956, for a delightful delve into the ballet scene of the fifties!

Oh, I do love the fifties! Imagine, everyone dancing the jitterbug, fashion is fabulous with full skirts and nipped waists, and a certain adorable actress is absolutely stealing the spotlight. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s talk about Magic Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling Shire horse who loves travelling through time just as much as I do!

Her golden hooves are already drumming excitedly as we prepare for this journey. I've packed my trusty leather rucksack with all the essentials – a notebook for my ballet notes, a camera for capturing those magical moments, and my secret stash of vintage ballet fashion goodies!

And speaking of fashion, how can I not be swooning over the fifties? Think full-skirted tulle tutus with a touch of netting and maybe a sprinkle of glitter – pure perfection! The dancers must have felt like absolute princesses as they floated across the stage. And don’t even get me started on those stunning ballet shoes! So beautifully pointed, and so gracefully sculpted - it’s a wonder we can even walk in them, let alone dance!

So, buckle up your ballet slippers, darlings, because it’s time to embark on a time-hopping journey into February 2nd, 1956, a day that saw some absolutely glorious ballet happenings all around the globe!

We start our journey across the pond to New York City! Now, you all know how much I adore a grand theatre and the New York City Ballet was in full swing, presenting a stunning performance of "The Sleeping Beauty". Now, this is not just any Sleeping Beauty – it was the original 1890 version, staged with such exquisite beauty and drama! Just imagining the incredible artistry and the swirling tutus makes me want to spin myself into a beautiful ball of pink!

Our adventure then takes us back to my homeland, lovely Derbyshire! Well, technically we’re just outside, but the charm is the same. The Royal Ballet was at the beautiful, historic Covent Garden in London! Oh, imagine the joy of being in the audience as they took the stage.

On this night, they were putting on an extraordinary performance of “Cinderella”, and guess who graced the stage? Why, Margot Fonteyn of course! The legendary ballerina who could bring tears to your eyes and send your heart soaring in just one exquisite pirouette. This was her most popular role and I can just imagine how enthralling the performance must have been. And did I mention? Her partner that night was the one and only Michael Somes – a beautiful pair on stage, dancing with grace and elegance.

The energy, the excitement, the sheer brilliance – oh, the joys of time travel, ladies!

But wait! Our adventure doesn't end there. Now, we're jetting off to Paris, where the Ballet de l'Opéra National was having their grand gala performance of "Coppélia". This isn’t just any Coppélia, though! It featured the brilliant, young dancer Jean-Pierre Bonnefous – a rising star, bringing the captivating world of "Coppélia" to life in a performance that had Parisian critics swooning!

This ballet, with its blend of comedy, drama, and beautiful dance sequences, must have been quite the spectacle. Imagine seeing it for the first time - the costumes, the intricate steps, the story itself unfolding on stage. Coppélia was the most captivating creation of its time, and it's still so popular today.

The joy of time travel! We've skipped around the world, experiencing all the wonderful ballet performances that February 2nd, 1956, had to offer! I have already jotted down some interesting historical facts about these ballet companies – I will share them in my next post.

But you know me, darling! My favourite thing is always the ballet world buzz, finding out all the gossip about the beautiful tutus, the amazing dancing shoes, and, of course, the fabulous ballet fashion.

So, what did 1956’s ballet world look like? A touch of Victorian Romance with intricate beading, elegant ribbons, and exquisite layers of tulle.

A sprinkle of modern flare was also in the mix, thanks to the likes of legendary dancer, Gene Kelly, whose love of bold colours and dramatic lines had certainly made a mark on the ballet world!

All those vibrant colours – imagine all those amazing performances in bright reds, vivid blues, and, of course, a dash of pink for the little pink-tutu-wearing ballerina that I am! Isn't that what makes the ballet so magnificent?

Speaking of magnificence, how could we end this trip without a bit of glamour? So, we’ll be stopping by a few famous department stores to see what new ballet wear is arriving in the shops for those aspiring ballerinas, those ready to whirl around on stage and bring the magic to life!

Isn’t time travel wonderful? And so, my dear friends, this concludes my exciting adventure from the wonderful world of ballet history on February 2nd, 1956. Don’t forget to tune in next month, as I’ll be taking you to another incredible journey into the ballet world, with a touch of glitter and glamour, a pinch of magic and an awful lot of pink! Until then, keep dancing, keep smiling, and always, always keep twirling.

See you all next time!

Emma x