Welcome back, darlings! It’s Emma here, your resident tutu-wearing, time-travelling, pink-obsessed ballet devotee! December is always a magical time for a ballerina, isn’t it? The twinkling lights, the scent of mince pies, and, of course, all those fabulous Christmas ballets! But this month, my travels took me to a very special date: 12th December 1986. And oh, the adventures we had!
As always, my trusty steed, Magic Meg – a magnificent pink, sparkly Shire with golden hooves and a white mane like spun sugar – was waiting patiently outside my little cottage in the Peak District. Her pink-and-white saddle was already adorned with my favourite sparkly silver pom-poms, and her halter shimmered with a pink velvet bow. I practically leapt onto her back, my pink satin tutu billowing behind me as we took flight.
A World of Dance: 1986
We landed, with a graceful flick of Magic Meg’s tail, in the heart of London, England, in the year 1986. It felt a little different from my own time, but in the most delightful way. The clothes were so vibrant and bold, the music pulsing with a synth-pop energy, and everywhere I looked there was this exciting, youthful buzz. It was like a big, fun dance party!
Speaking of dance parties, I was itching to see what was happening in the world of ballet. My trusty leather rucksack was at the ready – I always carry it with me on my travels, collecting ballet memorabilia and stories from each time period. My trusty compass, gifted to me by an old ballet mistress, guided us to the London Coliseum, a glorious, grand theatre on the Strand. It was just a hop, skip, and a pirouette away!
The bill for the night was a classic: The Royal Ballet performing "La Sylphide". My heart skipped a beat – "La Sylphide" was a timeless classic! I was already imagining myself waltzing across the stage with ethereal lightness, the delicate movements of the sylphs whispering through the air...
The excitement was palpable as I made my way through the ornate, plush foyer, its air fragrant with the sweet perfume of excited theatre-goers. Even back then, ballet held such an air of romance, beauty, and grace. I couldn't wait to see the magic unfold on stage!
The performance was absolutely divine! It felt like every movement flowed effortlessly from the dancers – every pirouette, every arabesque, every leap, they all told a story! There was a delicacy and precision in their dancing that simply took my breath away. The music was absolutely enchanting, and the costumes were exquisite. Every little detail was perfect – the delicate, billowing skirts of the sylphs, the strong, elegant lines of the men's tutus.
But it wasn't just the Royal Ballet that was captivating London. I discovered that this December was abuzz with other extraordinary events! In the heart of Notting Hill, at the Lyric Theatre, there was a vibrant new production of "Cats" by the equally renowned Royal Ballet. This modern ballet adaptation of T.S. Eliot's poetry offered a fun, funky new approach to the world of dance, full of creative choreography and fantastical costumes! It reminded me of the beautiful way that ballet can be reinvented, revitalized, and reinterpreted for new audiences.
Fashion, Glamour, and Ballet Sparkle
Of course, no visit to a new era is complete without a little shopping spree! London was a treasure trove of elegant ballet supplies, from exquisite shoes to lavish costumes and everything in between. I purchased a beautiful velvet ballet bag with my name delicately embroidered on the side. It's going to be the perfect way to store my dance accessories!
As I wandered through the streets, the bustling energy and creativity of 1986 London really filled me with inspiration. There was such a freedom and individuality in the air.
As a dedicated fashionista, I was also charmed by the daring new styles. There was a playful clash of colours, patterns, and textures that really reminded me of the modern ballet world, full of experimentation and creativity. The bold shoulders and oversized silhouettes were an unexpected visual feast, making the clothes seem like moving works of art.
And speaking of works of art, the tutu has to be my favorite part of any ballet ensemble! There was such an incredible variety in 1986! Some tutus were bold and playful with bright, graphic designs, and some were a more classic, delicate shade of blush pink – just the color I like! I picked up a gorgeous pink sequined tutu with beautiful bows and ruffled details, and oh my, it practically danced off the hanger! It just needed a magical fairy godmother and a dashing Prince Charming, and we would be waltzing under the stars!
As the night wore on, my heart felt light as a feather, my mind filled with beautiful imagery, and my senses were alive with the joyful spirit of London's bustling arts scene. But just as quickly as it began, my journey came to an end. Bidding a fond farewell to Magic Meg and all the wonder of 1986, we returned home.
Sharing the Love of Tutu
It’s this magic, this infectious joy of ballet that I want to share with everyone. My life is dedicated to celebrating ballet – whether that means dazzling everyone with a twirl of my tutu or uncovering incredible historical moments in ballet history. I want to get everyone – men, women, children, and everyone in between – dancing in their own pink tutus. And, to that end, I have a little challenge for you all this December:
*Challenge: * Share your favorite ballet moment, a magical ballet memory, or a funny ballet story in the comments! Let’s spread the joy and magic of dance, one tutu at a time!
See you next month for a brand new adventure on www.pink-tutu.com!
Until then, happy dancing, darlings!
Emma
Your Tutu-loving Time Traveller
