Oh, the indignity!
It's 31st January, 1997, and the ballet world is abuzz with a scandal that's more shocking than a misplaced plié. I’m talking about the dreaded Tutu-gate of '97! But, darling, it's not a tragic accident, a wardrobe malfunction or a dropped diamond tiara that's sparked this drama - oh, no! It's far more deliciously frivolous and fabulous.
It all started, you see, with the prestigious "Royal Ballet" presenting their production of Swan Lake. (Don't get me wrong, Swan Lake is utterly breathtaking – the iconic White Swan's choreography is pure magic, and a favourite amongst us dancers - but we have some juicy gossip on our hands!). And it seems, for reasons known only to the Gods of ballet themselves, the artistic director, darling old Cecil (and *that* wig!), decided the swan-tastic costumes needed a bit of a makeover. We're not talking simple hems or a smidge more sequins – he was going full-blown revolutionary on us!
Here’s where it gets truly, truly dramatic – they chose… gasp! **pink**. And not just any shade of pink – we're talking a hot, loud, almost fuchsia pink! Oh, the horror! Apparently, Cecil saw the colour and felt this was what Odette, the heartbroken Swan Queen, needed to convey her inner angst. *My dear Cecil!* It’s almost as if the White Swan, usually symbolic of purity, had dipped herself in Pepto-Bismol before taking the stage! You can imagine the uproar amongst the critics – tutus and pink were a shocking (dare I say it, ghastly?) mismatch.
The *Daily Mail* had a field day, and we all know the *Daily Mail* *loves* a scandal, and when you’re in the throes of one of their classic '“what on Earth have you done?!!" attacks, it’s always best to take a step back from the centre of the drama. Oh, the tutus. Poor dears.
Well, imagine the collective sigh of relief across the entire dance community! Poor little Odette finally got a makeover (sorry, that's so mean) in time for the second performance and she emerged on stage a radiant (and *totally* white) vision. Cecil has since spoken out, saying it was merely “an artistic exploration” - he said his choice to give Odette a “pop of colour” was designed to showcase “a deeper emotional complexity.” Darling! My own *Grandad* is more subtle.
It's just a small, frivolous piece of the ever-shifting tapestry of ballet history – it wouldn't be right if things remained the same. Of course, it does make me giggle just thinking about it – the drama, the tears, and the collective gasp when poor little Odette emerged, like some hot-pink neon swan! My dear, we *do* like our dance a bit tragic. *The bigger the tragedy, the bigger the gossip, *and the *bigger the scandal, darling! It’s how we remain *entertained*!*
But here's the thing, ladies – we just cannot leave well alone when it comes to our beloved ballerinas. From the sleek lines of a leotard, to the graceful twirls of the ballerina's, the colour and drama of the costumes and the very shape of their tutus – it is all fuel for gossip! (I blame *Dancing On Ice*!) Ballet – well, let's face it, it's more glamorous when things are messy! That’s what keeps our news pages so sparkly, so juicy and, dare I say it? *So* terribly delightful. It’s a *bit* of an obsession, *is it not*? I have been living for it ever since the moment I first graced a dance studio, *at the tender age of three, with my darling grandma*…
As a devoted devotee of this glorious art form – I’m telling you darling! We just can’t get enough of ballet! It’s drama, spectacle, *perfection*. The perfect dose of glamour! That *click* we feel as our heart skips a beat, and we stand captivated at the sight of that delicate swan ballerina and the graceful lines of a perfectly shaped tutu! You just cannot get enough of *ballet*, and certainly not enough of its endless and delectable stories.
But that’s another story for another time, for today’s news story? We are only focused on Tutu-Gate – and *that*, ladies, is a tragedy that *has* been given a little bit of happy ending! This *little* swan, with a bit of creative vision, was *perfectly* positioned to make ballet history… even if it meant momentarily losing her perfect whiteness! And a *little* piece of *pink* really doesn't hurt – I am certain Cecil will continue his mission to shock and awe the ballet world. Oh, darling – just be prepared for what’s coming next – we have a long history of these ‘little' ballet incidents that shake us up in ways we didn’t know we *could* be shaken up. There are *big* dreams out there, and we *all* just want a bit of entertainment. (You have no idea *how* much entertainment! Especially with a *really* fabulous costume malfunction, or when a very special little *white* ballerina finds a reason to wear pink…)
So next time we have a gossip – grab your popcorn, darling, grab your ballet slippers, pull up a stool at the stage – and you’ll find I'm always there ready to fill you in!