Hello, my lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com. It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveler, ready to take you on another enchanting adventure through the annals of ballet history!
This month, we're whisking ourselves back to a rather glorious November evening in 1997. Oh, the nostalgia! This time, I found myself with my trusty steed, Magic Meg - our lovely, pink sparkling Shire with the golden hooves and glorious white mane and tail – gazing upon the shimmering lights of a London theatre. Yes, my dear friends, this time we're in the heart of the West End!
I'd been following a particular, exciting rumour about a grand gala, an event that promised to be the talk of the town, not to mention the talk of the dance world. And it was! Can you believe, I was in the audience watching none other than the legendary Dame Margot Fonteyn, the icon herself, dancing! I was breathless with awe – her grace, her artistry, it was magical. I remember feeling utterly dwarfed by the sheer power of her presence, just like a tiny ballet butterfly fluttering amidst a symphony of exquisite moves. It was an honour, a dream come true to see this legendary dancer performing live. I scribbled madly into my little leather rucksack – a treasure chest brimming with stories and sketches - to capture every glorious detail.
I’m lucky, though, as a fellow attendee at this very gala performance was my new friend, Michael. I found out he’s a well-known ballet writer and critic, so we spent hours afterwards chatting about the performance – my ears are still buzzing from his incredible tales about the golden age of ballet! We spent hours, discussing ballet styles, technique and the history of it all – and all the gossip of course! Michael and I made a date to meet up later in the week – he's got some fantastic insights about this time in history. We spent a long time going through the programme and I managed to snap a quick photo of him holding Dame Margot's signed photo – I have a special place in my heart for these kinds of stories, stories about history in the making. I think you'll agree it’s a wonderful glimpse into the world of ballet back then.
Later on that week, I visited the Royal Opera House, the pinnacle of classical ballet. Oh, I felt as though I had stepped into another era! I took my trusty little notebook and scrawled excitedly as I marvelled at the opulence and elegance – and of course I snuck a peek behind the scenes, into the dusty archives where history hangs on to every silken thread and worn dance shoe. My mind raced, piecing together the tapestry of performance and practice, and feeling all that rich heritage buzzing around me – just wonderful!
I even made a couple of visits to some of London’s fantastic ballet schools – what an insight! Such dedication and passion! It warmed my heart to witness young dancers, hungry for knowledge, training hard with that same twinkle in their eye as those ballet legends before them. The dance teachers were truly amazing, guiding those young, dedicated ballet dancers with a patient kindness and endless energy – it’s the the kind of inspiring dedication we need to keep this exquisite form of art alive for future generations.
To get to know this 1997 era even more deeply, I attended a fascinating lecture at the Royal Ballet’s own Dance Archive – the story of the Ballet in the 90s was such a joy. Just listening to these incredible people, these historical experts recount the achievements and the struggles, the trends and triumphs of the ballet world, filled me with inspiration. Their passionate storytelling allowed me to delve into the fascinating complexities of ballet in the 90s, from the choreography of the greats like Kenneth MacMillan and the exciting young choreographers on the rise – the way ballet is adapting to new influences – what an interesting world! I’ve noted it all in my rucksack – you can tell there is a wealth of information and fascinating detail just waiting for you, when we get back to the pink-tutu.com headquarters.
However, 1997 was a global ballet year, and, after my London adventure, I couldn't resist whisking myself over to the land of sunshine and opera – Italy! In glorious Venice, I was transported into a magical world of water and opera. It felt like a fairytale! I explored the city on gondolas, taking in the rich history of dance, opera, and the beautiful baroque architecture that oozed ballet grace. The atmosphere felt so incredibly romantic and decadent – perfect for a night out at the Teatro la Fenice – an incredible experience! I was captivated by a performance of “Giselle”. Watching the drama, passion and virtuosity was absolutely magical, especially when that famous ghostly “Giselle” waltz began – it was utterly thrilling. I took my chance afterwards to chat to a member of the corps de ballet – she spoke enthusiastically about the dance scene in Italy, sharing all kinds of secrets and insider tips on this fabulous culture of dance, opera and culture. It felt like a magical Italian night out!
Later on, as my time travel clock ticked down, I journeyed to another famous city – a destination I know well from previous time travel trips – my very own Derbyshire! It felt like such a trip back in time. My trip this time coincided with the Matlock Festival - a truly lovely experience to explore the quaint cobbled streets, bustling with life, and taking a glimpse into ballet history by watching the graceful dancers as they effortlessly navigated the traditional dances, adding a dash of charm and a hint of elegance to this beautiful English town! The audience’s faces radiated pure joy, the happy sighs and applause a symphony to my ears. It made my heart sing, to witness this passion and energy from my own Derbyshire, it’s truly special to me, and of course, I made sure to pop into the shops with my trusted leather rucksack in hand!
I've been thinking of a way to capture this time, the ballet fashions, and those special details that are just so beautifully 1997! A special dress made for the ballet world? A tutu that is so on point with that 90s feel, with the pastel pink with delicate sequins or a bold colour like electric blue with glittering feathers? Oh, and that 90s punk ballerina style, with those sleek and stylish black leotards and those cool, funky high ponytails. That's what I want to capture – this feeling of the past, with all it's magical details, brought together into a single, incredible, beautiful piece of fashion! A unique pink tutu time travel creation for all you pink-tutu lovers out there. Stay tuned!
Well, my lovelies, time is up for another trip to my little pink tutu paradise! This month's adventures have definitely shown that ballet, whether you’re in the heart of London or in a quiet village like Matlock, always weaves its magic. You can see that it's been an exciting time to be involved in this amazing art.
I'll leave you to discover all of the ballet wonders on www.pink-tutu.com but for now, make sure to wear your pink tutu with pride, because after all, it’s what it's all about!
