Oh, darling! You simply wouldn't believe the drama that unfolded at the Royal Ballet's dress rehearsal this afternoon! It was all tulle and tiaras, darling, a whirlwind of feathers and floral headbands! It seems the grande dame of ballet, Madame Periwinkle, had a complete meltdown over the color of the tutus for Swan Lake.
Now, everyone knows Swan Lake is the epitome of elegance, a classic ballet for those who truly appreciate the delicate grace and sublime artistry of the art form. Naturally, this involves swans, which as you know, dear reader, are the epitome of white elegance and poise.
So imagine the uproar when Madame Periwinkle discovered the new prima ballerina, young Miss Scarlett O'Hara, would be dancing the role of Odette in a shimmering pink tutu. Oh, the outrage! Apparently, pink just wasn't "classical" enough for Madame Periwinkle. She stomped her foot, clutched her pearls, and declared that pink was the colour of Pepto Bismol and Pepto Bismol does not, darling, belong in a ballet. "It's not proper! It's just not Swan Lake-y!" she shrieked, flapping her silk scarf in indignation.
The poor girl, Miss O'Hara, she looked like a deer caught in the headlights, trying desperately to appear serene and dignified as Madame Periwinkle's fury reached a fever pitch. The air in the rehearsal studio became as thick as meringue. Poor Prince Siegfried (and it is the most tragic Prince Siegfried, dear, he really can't dance for toffee) attempted to calm the waters by whispering sweet nothings into Madame Periwinkle's ear. "The colour doesn't matter, darling," he murmured, "love conquers all! As long as Scarlett dances with all her heart..." He didn't quite finish the sentence, I think he realized it was doomed from the start, poor boy.
Now, this Madame Periwinkle, she's the grand matriarch of the Royal Ballet, and everyone knows you never argue with a woman who can make or break your career, especially not when she has a permanent glare etched onto her face and a perfectly manicured claw gripping a bouquet of lilies. Poor Miss O'Hara was in the most dreadful predicament. It's a pity because she truly is the most dazzling dancer since Pavlova (a little exaggeration, I admit, but truly, she has the most captivating moves) but Madame Periwinkle's rigid view of ballet was like an impenetrable wall of glitter and sequins.
But, oh, the gossip! As soon as the rehearsal ended, the rumour mill started whirring faster than a prima ballerina in a fouetté sequence! The rumour that reached my elegant ears was this: Madame Periwinkle's pet poodle, "Twinkle Toes", apparently favoured the pink tutu. Madame Periwinkle, being a devotee of dog's opinions, found herself in quite a dilemma, poor darling.
It is all most fascinating, you see, and a perfect example of the little skirmishes and behind-the-scenes battles that are commonplace in the world of professional ballet. It reminds me of what a great stylist once told me: "The most fabulous shows happen when you let a little drama flourish." I wonder if I should rush to see this swan-tastic ballet. The drama might just make it all the more intriguing. Stay tuned, darling, you know I'll bring you all the gossip as soon as it emerges! In the meantime, we've just had word that "Twinkle Toes" has apparently fallen in love with the prima ballerina's new diamond-encrusted tiara. I wouldn't be surprised if Madame Periwinkle chooses to break tradition for that. A poodle in a tiara? It sounds delightfully dramatic, don't you think?
From my Parisian flat, a place where only the most stylish gossip blooms
XOXO
Margot (a very chic, ballet-obsessed journalist in her early thirties, naturally)