Hello lovelies! Itâs Emma here, your very own pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you off to another era! This month, weâre skipping back to September 2008 - oh, the memories! Itâs all about big, bold, fabulous ballet - let's dive right in!
Now, September 2008 was all about ballet in its glorious forms. As always, I packed my leather rucksack (oh, darling, youâd be amazed what I managed to cram into that bad boy! A precious first edition copy of 'Giselle', a tiny, perfectly-preserved ballet shoe from the late 19th century, even a letter penned by the legendary Nijinsky himself!), mounted Magic Meg, and galloped off into history.
Firstly, I had to get myself to The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden! The energy there was electrifying! September 2008 saw a fantastic programme - I saw the beautiful "Romeo and Juliet" by Kenneth MacMillan. I adore Kenneth MacMillan! Oh, he was a visionary! His choreography just sings! Every graceful, elegant step, every dramatic flourish told the tragic story with heart-stopping power. But oh darling, the costuming! Such richness in texture, colours that shimmered with emotion - red for the loversâ passion, deep blue for the stark tragedy. And the music - my favourite composer, Tchaikovsky, his music is so magical, it lifts you into another world entirely! It was sheer perfection. I can still remember the thrill of seeing the iconic Balcony scene - Juliet leaning out of the window, the moon a perfect disc behind her, and Romeo whispering words of love! I have to say, I felt very much like Juliet myself, my own heart soaring with romantic inspiration, feeling very much like my heart was going to burst! And of course, I had to get a picture of my pink tutu outside The Royal Opera House - I think it went rather well, I wouldn't you agree?!
But this time travel was far from just one exciting night at Covent Garden. London was just bursting with ballet! Oh, the shows, darling, they just wouldnât stop! It was a complete dance explosion! From the stunning âSwan Lake' at the Sadlerâs Wells Theatre, to the breathtaking âSleeping Beautyâ at the Royal Albert Hall. Ballet, darling, was absolutely everywhere!
Of course, no time-travelling ballerina trip would be complete without indulging in the latest ballet fashion, which brings us to my most delightful find - a quaint shop in a hidden cobbled street in Bloomsbury, full of gorgeous ballet costumes, tights and shoes. I treated myself to a pair of shimmering white pointe shoes, perfect for a night out under the moonlight - oh, and some adorable sparkly pink socks, with delicate pink ballerina ribbons, just because!
Of course, it was not just the UK where ballet was in full swing! September 2008 also saw an explosion of dance across the world, right here in Derbyshire where Iâm from! I love the countryside, it's truly calming and beautiful.
Just imagine my delight when I arrived in Derbyshire to see my home village hosting a fantastic community ballet event - âDancers of Derbyshire!â It featured local ballet schools showcasing their talent. I was overwhelmed with the enthusiasm, talent and passion from everyone involved. The whole village seemed to have gotten swept up in the excitement!
So, whether you're a seasoned ballet enthusiast or just starting your dance journey, September 2008 proved one thing: the world of ballet was absolutely alive and well.
Oh, and remember, darling, every month on www.pink-tutu.com, you can find my blog, bursting with fascinating historical insights, dazzling photographs, and, of course, my oh-so-pink take on it all! I promise you'll be utterly charmed! So, what are you waiting for, lovelies? Put on your pink tutu, grab your favourite teacup, and join me as we explore the extraordinary world of ballet through the lens of time!
Love, Emma xxx
