Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, back from another whirlwind journey through the magical world of ballet history. Today, I'm taking you all the way back to January 1995. Now, I know what you're thinking: Emma, how did you find time to travel back to the 90s? Well, I managed to squeeze in a little jaunt after my breathtaking performance in The Sleeping Beauty last month. After all, a girl has to keep her pink tutu-clad feet busy!
This month, my faithful companion Magic Meg, my magnificent pink-sparkling Shire horse with her golden hooves, whisked me to a little village nestled in the heart of Derbyshire - a bit of a homecoming for me, actually. It's incredible how little some places change, even over time. I couldn't resist stopping for a slice of warm, fresh Derbyshire oatcake with a cup of builder's tea - it's simply divine.
Back to ballet, however, and as I stepped into my vintage 1995-style ballet shoes, the air crackled with excitement. This month, I found myself at a fascinating event - the launch of a new ballet company right here in the UK. Imagine, starting a company in 1995! What audacity, what ambition! The founder was this darling man named Matthew Bourne, and he had this crazy idea to create a modern ballet about a young man working in a factory.
Now, let's just pause for a moment and let that sink in - a modern ballet about factory workers! A brave, beautiful departure from the traditional ballet stories of princesses and princes. The show was called "Swan Lake", and oh, my dear friends, the costume designs, the choreography! You'd have thought I'd landed in a fairytale realm with modern twists and thrillingly dramatic themes. The buzz about this innovative company was everywhere, and it was quite the sensation in the world of ballet. It made me realise that the magic of ballet continues to evolve and surprise us, defying any attempts to keep it stuck in a time capsule.
Speaking of time capsules, have I mentioned my leather rucksack yet? It's like my personal museum of ballet history, filled with stories and treasures from each era I visit. Imagine - I have ballet shoes from the 18th century, hand-painted silk pointe shoes, vintage programmes from legendary performances, and even a miniature tutu from one of my early trips! This time, my bag is a little fuller - a ticket to Bourne's "Swan Lake," some colourful brochures, and a beautifully embroidered pink-feather boa! You know I can't resist a boa!
While I was busy admiring the innovation in British ballet in 1995, the world was buzzing about other fascinating ballet events. From the * Bolshoi in Russia* to the Royal Ballet in London, there was so much to see! Imagine the incredible grand pas de deux by Natalia Osipova in a performance of Giselle, or the elegance and beauty of a revival of Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty" by the Royal Ballet.
Speaking of performances, one of the great joys of my time-travelling life is watching them, whether it's on the grand stage or on a tiny, intimate setting. Remember my little blog, www.pink-tutu.com? It's a collection of stories, my little corner of the internet filled with tips, inspiration, and reviews. And let me tell you, in 1995, there was no lack of inspiration!
Remember, darling friends, life is like ballet - graceful and unexpected. I encourage you all to join me on my next trip through time, and most importantly, remember - the magic of pink is all around you.
Until next month, my dears.
Emma
