Hello my darling tutu-lovers! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, time-traveling ballet enthusiast! Welcome to another week of exploring the glorious history of ballet and, of course, its most magnificent accessory: the tutu!
Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, darling, aren't we getting a bit carried away with these trips back in time? We've been to 18th century France, 19th century Russia, and even had tea with Anna Pavlova herself!" And you know what, you're absolutely right! My passion for tutus knows no bounds, and frankly, the more time travel I can squeeze in, the better!
Today, however, we're not jetting off to some far-flung corner of the world. Oh no! Today, we're staying close to home, right here in the heart of London! That's right, dear readers, it's June 8th, 1897, and the streets are buzzing with excitement as the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is preparing to stage the premiere of the legendary "The Little Minister", a musical comedy based on James Barrie’s novel. Now, while "The Little Minister" itself isn’t strictly a ballet (although the ladies probably had some beautiful tutus for the production, don’t you think?) it’s still a delightful theatrical affair, and this little piece of history just gives me such lovely tutu-wearing daydreams!
So, back to 1897 and those lovely, swirling tutus... Let's think about what we might see at the Theatre Royal this evening. You know, back in 1897, the ballet tutu was going through quite a transitional phase, still hanging on to some of those old Romanticism and romantic era styles, while hinting at the changes that would soon take place in the 20th century. Imagine swirling layers of tulle, delicately caught by beautiful ribbons, a romantic cascade of pink or lilac. Just thinking about it makes me want to grab my sewing needles and a good pile of tulle!
Speaking of romanticism, those of you with an eye for ballet history may be familiar with a special type of tutu worn in the late 19th century. It was all about those big, billowing, pouffy skirts, reminiscent of the elegant shapes seen in paintings of that era. Fluffy, you see! I just adore fluffy!
We must be extra careful about those billowing skirts, though, because, back then, it wasn't just about elegance, it was also about functionality. As those dancers leaped and twirled, the skirt's voluminous shape helped create visual interest – making each movement, every graceful twist and turn, a dramatic flourish. It was like a ballet in itself!
Imagine the joy of seeing all those graceful movements as the stars of the show, Lillian Russell and Fanny Ward, sashayed across the stage! Fanny Ward is absolutely such a gorgeous lady – and a fine actress too, by all accounts. Oh, and wouldn’t it be thrilling to hear the delightful melodies of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s score, adding an extra layer of excitement to the show! It must be absolute magic!
You can imagine that these early ballerinas really knew how to make an entrance. This was the age of drama and showmanship. Their tutus became part of their stage presence, not just a dance costume!
While "The Little Minister" wasn't a ballet, I bet its choreography involved some exquisite moves, perfectly suited to these dramatic, voluminous tutus. We must try and imagine those dancers in these flowing skirts, pirouetting gracefully around the stage, leaving the audience captivated.
However, even with its charm and extravagance, the early 20th century was just around the corner, bringing with it some new fashion trends. The big skirts would be slightly toned down, a new, slimmer silhouette taking center stage, much more in keeping with those modern styles. You know, a more minimalist look for those dance routines – even if they're still slightly impractical, we know that. But just like those earlier pouffy tutus, the later style was just as effective – a timeless symbol of dance!
As for me, I must try and refrain from spinning myself into a pink tulle whirlwind as I travel through time! But, honestly, the only reason I can even try to do that is because those early ballerinas, wearing those romantic tutus, had the guts to wear something totally bold and new – giving us all that wonderful history! And, you know, we can’t let these lovely vintage tutus be forgotten! I've gotta try my best to share their beauty with you, darling!
After all, wouldn't it be a pity to not wear those wonderful tutus? That is my one aim in life: To spread the love of ballet, the joy of dance, and above all, to see everyone in their best, pinkest, fluffiest tutus!
Till next time, stay twirling and never forget: #TutuTuesday!
With a grand plié and a swish of my tutu, Emma
