Hello, my lovely ballet bunnies! It's Emma here, back with another whirl through time, and oh boy, is it a good one! As always, buckle up, grab a cuppa, and get ready for some pink tutu-tastic adventures. This month we're whisking ourselves off to the Big Apple – New York City, to be precise - and you know what? I have a feeling that December 12th, 1989, is going to be utterly fabulous! Why, you ask? Well, darling, let me tell you…
My favourite steed, the magnificent Magic Meg (you know, my dazzling pink-and-sparkly shire with golden hooves), carried me through the shimmering, swirling space-time vortex like a hot knife through butter. It was simply divine, just like a scene straight out of Swan Lake! And when we arrived in New York, I could practically smell the energy, the buzzing excitement. We landed, quite dramatically, I must say, on the rooftop of the magnificent Metropolitan Opera House. The New York sky, so big and bold, framed the grand edifice, all limestone and majesty, like a masterpiece itself.
The energy hummed around me, electric and enthralling. From up there, the city stretched out in all its urban glory, glittering towers reaching up towards the heavens. It was almost like… well, a ballet of steel and glass, wouldn't you agree? And oh, what a delight it was to breathe in the crisp winter air, tinged with the aroma of fresh pine needles. Just perfect for getting those ballet-warming stretches done before I made my way down to the Met!
This grand old opera house had a feeling of timeless grandeur about it, all glittering chandeliers, velvet seating, and the echo of years of amazing performances. The programme? An absolute stunner, darlings - "The Nutcracker!" And guess what, my ballet-loving darlings? This was no ordinary production. It was a full-fledged Christmas ballet spectacle - the type of performance that dreams are made of, quite frankly. They were showcasing the talents of the New York City Ballet - those wonderfully gifted dancers, all dressed in the most breathtakingly exquisite costumes.
I popped my rucksack onto the grand velvet chair, feeling that delightful rush of excitement before a show, the thrill of anticipation bubbling within me. This was the kind of moment, the kind of performance, that deserved a prime spot in my ballet time-travel collection, and trust me, my dear readers, this story was certainly going into my back-pack, alongside the ballet programmes and press cuttings I collect from each era.
The programme for "The Nutcracker" boasted none other than the legendary choreographer, George Balanchine. Imagine, dancing to his visionary creation – pure joy for any ballet aficionado. And then the magic started…
The curtain rose, and oh, the sheer wonder of it all! My breath caught in my throat. The stage was a swirl of dazzling costumes, beautiful sets, and swirling snow, capturing the pure enchantment of Christmas magic. I was instantly captivated.
The music was equally glorious, each note dancing on my ears like a ballerina, graceful and evocative. From the swirling waltz of the Snowflakes, to the playful prancing of the Mouse King, and finally the grand entrance of the Sugarplum Fairy – I was totally immersed.
Oh, how my heart danced along with each dancer! Each pirouette, each graceful leap was a celebration of artistry and grace. This wasn't just ballet, my dears. This was a ballet of dreams! And for me, a ballet enthusiast from the rolling hills of Derbyshire, to see it live in such a fabulous setting - it was a dream come true, truly.
After the curtain call, I stood in the heart of New York City, bathed in the soft glow of the winter moon, surrounded by the bustling crowd, feeling invigorated, and totally filled with joy. You see, this whole ballet journey is more than just me exploring history in my pink tutu – it’s about sharing these beautiful stories with you. It's about spreading the magic of ballet, that joy and enchantment that binds us all, regardless of the time and place.
And for me? My dream is for everyone, everyone in the whole world, to feel this magic, this joy. My dream? Everyone in a pink tutu!
Speaking of pink tutus… let’s talk fashion. After the performance, it’s always time to grab a little inspiration. And let’s be honest, the grand dame of ballet fashion is… yes, you guessed it, Christian Lacroix! He was practically a maestro when it came to turning ballet costumes into breathtaking creations. In fact, I spotted his designs at the Met – think of velvet and tulle and ruffles and vibrant hues… everything perfectly balanced, making every single piece a unique masterpiece! Oh, the inspiration!
Back to 1989, darling… did I mention that "The Nutcracker" production was televised by PBS? Imagine being able to enjoy the magic of a ballet as breathtaking as this one, snuggled up in your comfy sofa, a mug of hot chocolate in your hand! And talking of Christmas delights… I stumbled across a delicious tidbit in the local paper – The Metropolitan Opera Guild was actually selling the iconic “Nutcracker" souvenir dolls. Oh, what a darling collectible for a true ballet lover!
So, that's it from the dazzling lights of New York! The magic of "The Nutcracker," the elegance of Christian Lacroix… and of course, the always-charming Meg, who whisked us back to my little corner of Derbyshire just in time for a steaming mug of tea and a slice of homemade cake.
Stay fabulous, darling, and never forget the magic that lives within each pirouette, each leap. And always remember… everyone in a pink tutu!
Until next time, Emma x
