Hello darling dears, it's your favourite Derbyshire time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back for another thrilling installment of Pink-Tutu!
May, the month of blooms, sunshine, and beautiful ballets. This month, Magic Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling Shire horse with the golden hooves, took us all the way back to 5th May, 2011. I must confess, my darlings, it felt like I'd stepped right into a modern ballet dream, even if I was in the past!
This month, I wore my shimmering pink tutu adorned with a garland of delicate hand-painted pink roses, matched with my trusty pink ballet shoes. You know me, always striving for the perfect ballerina aesthetic, and pink, you know, is just so dreamy!
After I arrived in May 2011, Magic Meg and I made our way to London, a city buzzing with the energy of dance. A fantastic show, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' had just premiered at the Royal Opera House, based on the classic story by Lewis Carroll! Now, that is what I call a truly magical, imaginative production!
I’d love to tell you more about this exciting new ballet, but I need to get a bit organised and update my ever-growing Ballet Time-Travel Rucksack - that beautiful leather number, you know, on my back? I’ve collected a stunning Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ballet poster (a gorgeous mix of classical elegance and playful whimsy), a souvenir programme (full of incredible photos and insightful insights into the ballet, and a hand-drawn caricature of the White Rabbit I purchased in Covent Garden) - it truly was the perfect souvenir for a Pink-Tutu blogger like myself!
As I wandered through London, I felt the magic of a vibrant dance community pulsating around me. You see, this month, the Bolshoi Ballet was also making waves on the international stage! I got my hands on an exclusive programme for their "Anna Karenina" performance, showcasing an intense story of love, passion and tragic romance through exquisite, emotionally driven choreography. You'll be reading all about it in the upcoming Pink-Tutu articles!
On a whim, I snuck into the beautiful and iconic Royal Opera House. Even though I was a mere visitor, the sheer magnificence of its history, the sense of passion and dedication... I felt at home. And I heard whispers of some incredible talents coming through their school: Royal Ballet School dancers taking their first steps to success! Just makes me want to dance – especially on that glorious, stage with its intricate carvings!
It is, my darlings, the ultimate symbol of passion for dance!
On my journey to gather information, I made my way to a small café near the Barbican Centre, London's vibrant arts and culture centre. The very place where they had just presented "The Winter's Tale", a reinterpretation of the classic Shakespearean work, incorporating breathtaking dance and movement. My ballet rucksack grew fuller and fuller with clippings from their brochures and even a couple of hand-drawn sketches from the show (inspired by their stunning performances)! I felt the power of theatre – and its timeless ability to bring people together – even on this balletic time-travel adventure!
Speaking of captivating dance performances, the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden is currently performing their exquisite rendition of “Giselle”, and guess who saw it with Magic Meg, right from the best seat in the house! Talk about romance in ballet, my dears! There were so many moments when the emotion was palpable: the sheer heartbreak of the heartbroken Giselle as she dances through her sorrows – so deeply moving!
This, of course, sparked my love for the beautiful art of ballet, and oh, I do love this style! The flowing tutus, the elegant steps, the incredible grace. And that moment, with Giselle swirling through the air in that ethereal tulle skirt, dancing on pointe with such strength, you could almost see her pure, unwavering love for the man she loves, even though she's left heartbroken.
And did I mention I caught a glimpse of the “Don Quixote” rehearsal in the studio, where they are preparing to present the magnificent work at the Sadler’s Wells theatre? Oh, it was truly a sight to behold. Watching them practise those demanding but graceful steps, the perfect balance, the leaps, it truly took my breath away.
Oh, I must tell you about my shopping spree in Covent Garden – one can’t visit London without a visit to this beautiful marketplace! I found some fabulous pink-themed items. I picked up a silk scarf with an intricate ballet dancer design, some elegant, pink velvet ballet-themed bags for my dance lessons, a few handmade pink ribbon ballet shoes, and my oh my, a very elegant pink tutu with sparkling sequins! I’ve had such fun trying it on, I even considered swapping out my original pink tutu for this beauty. My blog is all about finding that perfect pink tutu. And oh, darling dears, this one is truly an enchantress!
But my dears, London was not all I discovered in May. Magic Meg galloped across the ocean to the USA, taking me to a ballet that was totally "on trend"! The New York City Ballet, darling, premiered an innovative work: “The Most Incredible Thing” – an extraordinary tale of a quest for happiness. You know me, I love ballet productions that make me ponder! It made me wonder about my own journey, too, especially what with my little bit of time travelling.
The world of ballet, even back in 2011, was overflowing with beauty and passion. I simply could not resist getting swept away by it all! And the best part is, as a Pink-Tutu blogger, I'm taking this incredible world with me – sharing its wonders, its elegance, and its boundless energy with you!
See you next month, my darling readers! Stay gorgeous and remember – a pink tutu always brightens the day!
Love and pink sparkles,
Emma
