Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another blog post, fresh from my adventures through the glorious world of ballet history. December 2061 is an exciting time to be flitting through the centuries! My latest journey was particularly enchanting, as I journeyed back to a time filled with the glitz, glamour, and sheer excitement of ballet. Let me take you with me, hand-in-hand, to discover what a ballet enthusiast like me finds utterly fascinating.
I mounted Magic Meg, my darling pink sparkly Shire horse, with her white mane and tail flowing in the December breeze, her golden hooves sparkling. She’s a wonder, Magic Meg – she always knows where we’re going, and just gallops to the specific time and place, with a twinkle in her eye. Today, we travelled back to…well, right here! 2061, 12th December. That’s right – we took a trip into the future, with me twirling, spinning, and pirouetting through the dazzling world of modern ballet.
Our first stop was the Grand Palais in Paris. They were holding a truly sensational exhibition, showcasing costumes, props, and original choreography from some of the biggest ballet companies across the globe. From the glittering costumes of the Bolshoi Ballet to the breathtakingly simple elegance of the New York City Ballet, this exhibition was a visual feast. I had to try on a couple of tutus, of course, it's just in my nature! One stunning silver and pink creation nearly had me leaping for joy! It's moments like these, that make you realise that ballet is truly a global language, a beautiful tapestry woven together by talented individuals from all corners of the world.
Backstage at the Royal Opera House
From Paris, we ventured to London and the magnificent Royal Opera House. This iconic building always makes my heart flutter. Just the idea of those grand halls echoing with the music of Tchaikovsky or Stravinsky sends a shiver down my spine. I sneaked backstage to see what magic they were conjuring up for their upcoming performance of "The Nutcracker". Oh, it was utterly bewitching! The dancers were working tirelessly, the energy was tangible – it felt electric! The costumes were divine, a delightful explosion of colour, texture, and intricate detail.
You know I adore a good costume! The Nutcracker is my favourite ballet and these costume designers certainly made the characters come alive. Clara's adorable white and red costume and her pink and blue tutu – sighs I simply adored the colour scheme!
The most stunning detail was the sheer dedication to each intricate stitch, each pleat and feather. It is this dedication to craft and artistry that sets the Royal Ballet apart – a perfect blend of classicism and creativity, bringing fairy tales to life right before our very eyes.
Across the World – and Through the Eras
Next, it was time to travel – not just in time, but across the world too! With Magic Meg by my side, we soared to New York City – a bustling centre for all things artistic. You know what they say, the Big Apple is never asleep, and I found that to be quite true! Even late at night, the streets were alive with dancers heading to rehearsal, young and aspiring talents pushing their limits. There was something electric in the air.
I visited the iconic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where I saw them rehearsing "Revelations". It is an utterly captivating and moving dance that speaks volumes about the African American heritage. A must-see, if you are lucky enough to get tickets!
And then, to keep with the theme of travel and discovery, we popped over to Australia, where the Australian Ballet was preparing for its annual gala. Their program this year included a diverse selection of works, highlighting both classical and contemporary choreographers.
You can never, ever underestimate the impact of a truly well-executed pirouette, even if the costumes were quite different from the European classics I usually see! The fluidity of movement and the strength of the dancers just took my breath away. And I always take note of the costumes, I love noting trends across eras and countries – sometimes ballet seems a bit too conservative in some countries… but I am, as always, here to gently push boundaries – one pink tutu at a time, as my dear friend Clara always says!
Ballet History, Ballet Fashion - Inspiration is Everywhere
You may think a blog post on December 12th, 2061 would be filled with cutting-edge contemporary ballet, but actually, as much as I adore contemporary and avant-garde ballet, I think a blog post like this really requires an appreciation of our roots – the origins and inspirations of ballet itself.
And where better to find those origins than at the heart of it all – The Palais Garnier in Paris!
It’s an incredible, decadent, almost fairytale setting, the centrepiece for any trip through ballet history, especially for those wanting to find inspiration in costume design and the dance itself. Every nook and cranny seems to whisper stories of bygone eras. As I wandered through those elegant halls, I felt transported to the age of Marie Antoinette – where elegance and exquisite fashion were truly considered an artform.
In this grand space, I was swept away by the extravagance of costumes, the intricacy of their designs. I especially loved how the fabric was chosen to accentuate every twirl and pirouette – each dancer becoming a visual symphony, as beautiful to watch as any orchestra.
An Unexpected Meeting – and the Magic of Ballet
And while I was exploring this incredible venue, I met a most delightful fellow traveller! She was quite old – probably in her 80s – and yet she possessed a vivacity and energy that defied her age! We discovered we had much in common, as we both adored everything about ballet! I realised that this kind of passion for ballet never fades, it only gets stronger with each passing year.
We talked, of course, about what we loved – our favourite ballerinas, and those stunning costumes that were, sadly, never made into pink, or were too conservative, like she mentioned she felt in the early 20th century…I gave her a copy of the latest Pink Tutu magazine – we just had an amazing shoot featuring some gorgeous creations by a Derbyshire designer, a bright young fellow called, I think it’s…I don't have my notepad handy. But anyway, I do believe it was the son of a famous 19th-century ballerina I met in Russia earlier in the month, which leads me nicely on to….
Russia and the Imperial Theatre
Yes, my darlings! Our little pink tutu tour took us next to the magnificent Imperial Theatre in St. Petersburg. And my goodness, the theatre is truly worthy of its name. Its grandness, the opulence – it is unlike any other theatre I’ve experienced! Here, the history of ballet comes alive as the building breathes life into each performance. This place is so full of story – stories that echo from the steps of Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinsky! I could have stayed there for days, but alas, we only had a fleeting visit this time around!
What a wonderful adventure it was. Magic Meg, and I just soared from city to city – the magic of ballet in Paris, the classical charm of the Royal Opera House in London, the energetic spirit of New York City and the spectacle and rich history of Russia.
But now, it is time for me to wind up this post! This adventure through history reminds me once more that ballet is more than just a performance - it's a timeless journey of passion, creativity and, most importantly, beauty!
It's not just the costumes, the incredible stories of famous dancers, or even the elegance of movement – ballet inspires a certain grace and grace that makes your soul sing, and your heart soar with delight! And as I said, I’m aiming to get the whole world wearing a pink tutu! Why not start today?
So keep on twirling, my darlings, keep on exploring! See you next month with my next big ballet time-travel adventure. And in the meantime, visit www.pink-tutu.com for a sprinkle of pink tutu magic in your life!
Lots of love, Emma xx
P.S. Let me know in the comments your favourite ballet moments of December 2061!
