Hello my darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu time travelling ballerina, writing to you from my secret stable nestled somewhere in the Derbyshire hills. It's the 9th of September, and the autumn air is crisp, tinged with a touch of golden light. It feels like the perfect day to share another peek into the world of ballet through the magical time travelling portal that is⊠my pink sparkly Shire horse, Magic Meg!
This month, I've travelled to 1957. Yes, you read that right! A full decade after the end of the war, and the world of ballet was bubbling with a fresh new energy, like a sparkling ballet shoe just out of its box. It's amazing to see how quickly the world of ballet bounced back! You might think that all the excitement from the war would have overshadowed the ballet scene but, as we know, nothing can stop the love for the art of dance, especially with the incredible, pioneering ballerinas of this time!
Now, letâs rewind the tape, shall we? Today, September 9th, 1957, was an extra special day because weâre just days away from the grand opening of a whole new chapter in London's ballet history - the new Royal Opera House! It was an exciting moment for dancers and audiences alike, as the Royal Ballet were ready to grace this new stage. This was a grand opening fit for royalty, a majestic new theatre designed by architect Denys Lasdun, and filled with the excitement of a whole city yearning for world-class ballet! The Royal Opera House was meant to be the pinnacle of the art of dancing and singing, and this 1957 debut, under the direction of Ninette de Valois, promised to be simply sensational.
The atmosphere that day was electric. I snuck in through the stage door â donât tell Magic Meg, itâs my little secret - and just as I got a glimpse of the vast, almost otherworldly stage, the whispers of anticipation sent shivers down my spine! It's remarkable how the excitement from these times echo even today, and how important these moments in history are to our love for ballet. It really puts into perspective how much of a rich tapestry our ballet legacy is!
Of course, what would a ballet trip be without a spot of shopping? You just canât resist the allure of those beautiful shops, each bursting with exquisite garments ready to enhance a ballet performance, and this trip, I managed to snag the most delightful silk ribbon to go around my pink tutu. Itâs just the right shade to match my blush-toned slippers. Do you see why I had to grab it?! It's the little details, the perfectly paired colours, the graceful movements that complete the art of ballet!
And, as always, I found my way to a rehearsal, a hidden corner backstage where the dancers poured over their choreography, their movements precise and intricate. Even with their hard work, there was joy in every single step, their passion radiating out in every pliĂ©, every relevĂ©, and every fouettĂ©. There were new ballets on the horizon - "The Rakeâs Progress" being a hot favourite - and the energy in the studio was a perfect example of ballet's continual reinvention. Just like us, dancers never stay stagnant. The future of dance always awaits them, like a blank canvas waiting to be brought to life.
Speaking of the future, a very exciting ballet company had begun touring that week - The National Ballet of Canada! This is one of my favorite ballet companies even now, with their breathtaking performances, captivating the audiences with every pirouette. They have so much talent - I even snagged their autograph (I was hidden under a floral garland, giggling, naturally!) and now it takes pride of place in my little pink tutu time-travel treasure box, which always sits beside me on Magic Megâs back, like a magical charm from the past.
Oh! And what about the performances I got to see! It was truly a kaleidoscope of dazzling moments. There was the "La Fille Mal GardĂ©e," bursting with its charming rustic simplicity. And of course, you canât miss "Swan Lake," a graceful story of betrayal, love, and beauty. Iâve got to tell you, watching the delicate movement of a dancer in the âWhite Swanâ costume is truly magical.
I took my special pink-hued notebook and jotted down everything - details of the dancersâ attire, the intricate patterns of their shoes, the delicate details of their costumes - everything that sparked joy and beauty. And of course, the fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, whispered to me from the very people who created this magic.
Iâll keep it short, darlings, as Magic Meg has just nickered impatiently. Time travel is quite tiring, you know! I shall tell you more of my amazing time travel adventures next month, but until then, let's remember this very special September in 1957, when the world of ballet was alight with excitement. As we wear our own pink tutus, letâs continue to keep the love for dance alive and dancing through time.
And for all you ballet enthusiasts out there, remember⊠let's keep those pink tutus twirling!
With twirls and twirls,
Emma xx
P.S. If youâd like to catch a sneak peek at some of the beautiful costumes and dance moments I encountered on this journey, you can always visit me at www.pink-tutu.com. The gallery of time travel stories is always getting bigger and more magical with every adventure I take!
