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Tutu and Ballet News

Itā€™s Christmas Day and the season of goodwill to all! And you know what? Itā€™s time to give goodwill a good old fashioned twirl!

Iā€™m talking, of course, about ballet! We all know itā€™s the most elegant, most beautiful and most utterly captivating form of dance - yes, even more captivating than ballroom dancing. Donā€™t get me wrong, I adore the tango and a foxtrot, but for pure, unadulterated poise and beauty, ballet takes the biscuit. And itā€™s all thanks to the ballerina, the star of the show.

Now, Iā€™ve got a confession to make. Ever since I was a little girl, Iā€™ve harboured a secret desire to don a tutu and pirouette across the stage. Oh, how I yearned to be a prima ballerina! But sadly, my legs are just not built for all those impressive grand jetĆ©s. The fact is, I couldn't even do a decent pliĆ© without ending up in a crumpled heap. Still, Iā€™ve kept my passion for ballet alive through copious amounts of ballet-related merchandise, books, and yes, a veritable mountain of pink tutus. You wouldnā€™t believe the bargains I get! (Okay, maybe you would; after all, you know my love for a good bargain.)

But let's be real for a moment. Do you ever wonder why ballerinas only ever wear white or pink tutus? I mean, the world is brimming with vibrant colours. Why not embrace, say, a cobalt blue tutu or a sapphire green one? It would be truly revolutionary!

Well, here's the deal. White and pink tutus were chosen for a reason - and no, it's not just because those are the colours that always grace the insides of my wardrobe. The tradition began centuries ago, and the choices had their own logical reasons. They just happen to be two colours that resonate with beauty and grace. Let's delve into the pink and white wonderment, shall we?

  • The White Tutu: Think classic. Think elegance. Think ethereal. White is a blank canvas for the artistry of movement. It reflects light, emphasizing the dancer's body shape and making it appear more delicate and flowing. A ballerina wearing a white tutu just exudes an air of pure elegance, doesn't she?
  • The Pink Tutu: Think femininity. Think playful. Think whimsical. Pink, on the other hand, conjures up images of youthfulness and innocence, the classic girly aesthetic. Think 'Swan Lake' with its ethereal choreography, a vision of pure and innocent grace.

However, thereā€™s more to it than meets the eye! Think of the sheer practicalities! Letā€™s face it, those tutus aren't just for show! Theyā€™ve got to be practical, right? So, white and pink happen to be fantastic colour choices. A white tutu will instantly hide sweat patches and look as clean as a whistle, especially with all the hard work going on behind the scenes.

Now, pink is a colour that simply pops on stage, enhancing visibility for those in the audience seated further away! Imagine the dismay on the faces of those viewers if they couldnā€™t properly admire those beautiful twirls and leaps! Those pricey tickets would be wasted.

Itā€™s worth mentioning that black tutus do make an appearance from time to time, but itā€™s a bolder choice! And the reason? Because it reflects power and intensity! This means that a black tutu might signify a character with darker emotions, say in "Giselle" with its famous "mad" scene. But let's face it, no colour could compete with the sheer elegance of pink or white. That's just a fact, darling!

Now, I know what you're thinking: ā€œBut what about all the other beautiful colours, darling?ā€ Well, hereā€™s the deal. The ballet world is getting a little less traditional - a big cheer for change! Designers have been experimenting with colourful and patterned tutus, pushing the boundaries of whatā€™s considered classic.

Yes, itā€™s a beautiful change, one that shows that weā€™ve embraced the past and now weā€™re moving into a world of exciting possibilities for these remarkable garments. And honestly, itā€™s exciting to imagine a ballet with vibrant blue, or teal, or emerald tutus, don't you think? Maybe one day Iā€™ll even see them grace the stage of the Royal Opera House.

I might even even try to attempt a grand jetƩ in a sparkly turquoise number! (Spoiler alert: it's not going to happen.)

But remember, regardless of the colour, let's give all our ballerinas a round of applause for their talent, their grace and their resilience. Even if Iā€™m never going to get beyond the pliĆ©!