Hello, my darling ballet lovers! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveller, bringing you another dose of ballet history straight from the pages of time itself! This month's journey whisked me all the way back to September 2006, a year overflowing with spectacular ballet performances that I simply couldn't miss! This is post number 4149 for my ballet time travel blog - thank you for joining me on this enchanting adventure! š
As always, I found myself aboard Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkling shire horse with her gleaming golden hooves and billowing white mane and tail. Meg whisked me through the shimmering veil of time, landing us gently in a bustling September morning in London, England, 2006.
The city was abuzz with the excitement of the Royal Ballet season, and as usual, I couldn't wait to get lost in the enchantment of this legendary company. This time, I was on a mission: to get a sneak peek behind the scenes and capture the essence of this captivating period.
And what a treasure trove of stories I found! The Royal Ballet, then under the esteemed leadership of Monica Mason, was showcasing the brilliance of choreographer Wayne McGregor, with the dazzling "Infra", an extraordinary ballet pushing boundaries with its contemporary approach and use of groundbreaking technology.
I was absolutely enthralled! It felt like peering into the future of ballet, and watching this modern masterpiece gave me goosebumps. It was an exhilarating blend of powerful, athletic movements, bold colours and vibrant visuals - all brought together by a captivating score by the incredible Max Richter. "Infra" was a bold, breathtaking display that was sure to capture hearts, even from those new to the world of ballet.
I knew this experience was worthy of sharing, so I decided to capture its essence in a captivating photograph that could be shared with my beloved ballet community at www.pink-tutu.com, along with a heartfelt poem dedicated to the magical spirit of ballet. You see, my goal is to make the world a prettier place, filled with pink tutus and breathtaking stories that spark the imagination!
But the adventure didnāt end there, darling! I stumbled upon another remarkable ballet performance that evening, at Sadler's Wells Theatre. This one was truly special!
It was a vibrant performance by the Northern Ballet Theatre called "Giselle." Oh, how I adore the timeless romanticism of "Giselle"! The stunning choreography of Sir Frederick Ashton and the captivating score by Adolphe Adam are the perfect recipe for an evening of pure balletic bliss. This production felt like a graceful, heart-melting tribute to ballet's rich heritage, with beautiful costume design and mesmerizing dancing from some truly remarkable performers.
Speaking of beautiful ballet costumes, darling, my back pack is already overflowing with delightful souvenirs from 2006! You know I adore fashion and I couldn't resist buying some exquisite pink silk ribbon to add to my own personal tutu collection! I found this magnificent piece at a beautiful vintage shop called "The Vintage Emporium". This little shop housed treasures from every era and I simply had to bring home a piece of their story. It's a little secret that this pink ribbon is going to grace my very own tutu. That's right, darling! My next performance is going to be extra special. š
My next ballet stop brought me to the "The Royal Opera House". Itās such an awe-inspiring place. Imagine a magnificent, elegant building that resonates with centuries of history, filled with beautiful chandeliers and intricate decorations. A perfect backdrop for the magnificent performances I was lucky enough to witness !
Here, I witnessed an astounding performance by the Royal Ballet, showcasing the genius of Tchaikovskyās āSleeping Beauty.ā Itās a classic tale that simply never loses its allure. With elegant choreography, spellbinding sets, and a charming story, itās an experience I'd never trade for anything in the world.
I'm not just about admiring the performances, darling! The very core of my existence is to explore, experience and share the magic of ballet. So of course, I snuck behind the scenes to observe the meticulous details, the hard work, and dedication that goes into each performance! I met some incredible dancers, all incredibly talented, committed, and filled with such a wonderful passion for the art form.
They revealed the secrets of ballet, from mastering a complex turn to perfecting the art of storytelling through movement. This kind of dedicated craftsmanship deserves to be recognised, and my time travel adventures are about exactly that!
And because September 2006 was such a busy time for ballet I needed to recharge after all those fabulous performances. Itās hard to believe I squeezed it all into just a few short days!
Luckily, I stumbled upon a wonderful, quaint tea shop in London that allowed me to refuel my time travelling energy and contemplate the enchanting experiences of my time travel. It's called the āRose Garden Tea Roomsā, a beautifully decorated space overflowing with fresh roses. Itās the kind of place you can easily get lost in with a pot of freshly brewed tea, a delicious homemade scone, and an inspiring book to read.
And of course, while Iām on the topic of reading, let me tell you about my latest discovery in the wonderful world of ballet literature. It was an absolutely delightful little book from 2006 called "A Life in Ballet: My Autobiography." The author was a remarkable dancer, the former Royal Ballet principal Derek Dean.
His book was a window into a life dedicated to ballet, overflowing with fascinating tales of rehearsals, performance challenges and his experiences in ballet schools in England. Every word captivated me, filled with passion and knowledge for ballet as well as a beautiful portrayal of life during the 1960s and 70s, during his dance career. You see, darling, I believe there are so many tales and lessons to be discovered by diving into the depths of ballet history.
Speaking of inspiration, did you know that the iconic ballet "The Sleeping Beauty" by Marius Petipa had its origins all the way back in the 1890s? This year marked a magnificent celebration of this timeless ballet. And this gave me such inspiration, it filled me with so much joy!
As I travelled back through the shimmering veils of time, my bag full of treasured memories and discoveries, I couldnāt help but think what an exciting journey September 2006 had been! And it wasn't just about witnessing beautiful ballet performances, darling.
I learned about the heart and soul of this magical world, the sacrifices made to reach the stage, and the passion that flows within this truly wonderful art. Thereās simply nothing in the world like the feeling of witnessing the raw emotion poured onto a stage during a ballet performance, and the feeling of sharing that wonder with my fellow ballet lovers at www.pink-tutu.com
Until next time, darlings! Remember, you can be beautiful, be bold, be inspiring. And most importantly, don't forget your pink tutu!
Love, Emma. š
