#4119
Hello, lovelies! Welcome back to my weekly jaunt through the delightful history of tutus. It's me, Emma, your ever-so-slightly pink-obsessed, tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina! This week, we're taking a little trip back to the 6th of December, 1910, a glorious era in ballet history.
As I step off the train at Gare de l'Est in Paris (such a wonderfully romantic station, I simply must find an excuse to spend an entire day there shopping!), I'm hit by the bustling energy of the city. The streets are abuzz with people preparing for the festive season - there are so many delicious smells in the air! Itâs a good job my travel schedule means I eat like a sparrow on tour â wouldnât want to find myself needing to buy a larger tutu!
And wouldnât you know it? I just happen to be in Paris on the exact day that the Ballets Russes, under the extraordinary Serge Diaghilev, are opening a new season at the ThĂ©Ăątre de l'OpĂ©ra. Can you believe it? I've heard so much about these remarkable dancers and their thrilling choreography â I simply had to see them for myself.
Tonightâs programme features âLe Pavillon d'Armide,â âScheherazade,â and âClĂ©opaĂątre.â Oh, to be dancing alongside them, soaring across the stage in a cloud of pink tulle! Speaking of tutus, did you know the style worn by these dancers was groundbreaking for the time? It was quite short for its era, revealing their long limbs with stunning grace and elegant, controlled movement. We might even call it âmidi-length,â quite the modern silhouette for 1910! They werenât the only ones innovating in fashion, mind you!
While watching this breathtaking spectacle of dancers and stunning costumes, my eyes were caught by the lavish beauty of the auditorium. It felt like an entire universe was unfolding before my eyes - a perfect blend of exquisite performances, magnificent set designs, and decadent Parisian ambiance.
And can we talk about the costumes? Gasp! Exquisite silk fabrics, bold patterns, an intricate play of textures and vibrant hues⊠the visual feast was absolutely breathtaking! The tutus themselves are, for the time, daringly simple â long flowing skirts with just enough tulle to offer a sense of floating. Oh, how I wish I had brought my sewing kit! But, as my travel bag is already bursting with sequins and fabric scraps, I just had to restrain myself⊠perhaps Iâll visit a costume shop before my departure!
The dancers were captivating - strong, athletic, and expressive - it felt like they were weaving stories with their bodies. But letâs talk a little bit about their shoes. Can you believe it, these fantastic performers wear saddle shoes, their delicate ankles strapped in for the show! What an unexpected delight! A bit less comfortable than the pointe shoes we are accustomed to these days but no less impressive!
Their artistry truly stole my heart â their commitment to the performance and passion for movement are just intoxicating. My heart feels a little fuller than when I arrived this morning! Oh, to dance alongside them! The Ballets Russes were a phenomenon, and this was an era when ballet was transforming into something truly modern. The influence they had on contemporary ballet was vast. From costumes to choreography, everything seemed to be revolutionized by Diaghilev and his amazing dancers. And I daresay this little trend for the mid-length tutu stuck!
While this amazing ballet has captured my imagination and made me want to run home and start designing, what did people in England do for entertainment on this same day in 1910?
I was curious to discover what a Londonerâs life would look like on that day so I delved into a wonderful treasure trove of archives! On the 6th of December, 1910, the Daily Mirror published news about the tragic deaths of the Lusitania, the German liner and an American train crash! How terrible!
On this day, London was alive with activity as well. If you fancy a day out, you could have caught the opera at Covent Garden â which I do so enjoy, their repertoire always offers such elegant shows! However, if you preferred something a bit more âthrillingâ - and dare I say slightly less traditional, you might visit the Hippodrome, in the heart of the West End for its spectacular water spectacles. They're truly something to behold, mixing circus performance with thrilling special effects - water tanks and amazing lighting make the impossible appear as real!
Perhaps, you could have spent your afternoon perusing the shops of Oxford Street. The shops were brimming with the latest in Victorian fashions, with intricate bonnets, corsetry that, thankfully, didnât require an entire household to lace up and beautiful velvet gowns - even the simpler skirts and dresses were so elaborate and full of intricate lace! What a stunning display of Victorian beauty!
If you wished for something lighter and more modern, you could have taken a journey on the newly electrified London Underground. Such progress! While in my Derbyshire village, the biggest transport revolution was our neighbourâs newly bought bicycle! Oh, it was a most curious object! We did, of course, take our carriages on trips into Buxton or Bakewell. The horse and carriage still holds such elegance!
For a little evening entertainment, you could enjoy the delightful show, The Cingalee, which opened earlier in the year at Dalyâs Theatre. If you love light operas, this would be the perfect place to be! If you weren't keen on the Cingalee, The Gaiety Theatre offered you a wonderful musical entertainment - The Arcadians. * The Arcadians* was a roaring success, bringing much laughter to theatre goers across London! I wouldn't be surprised to see The Arcadians running for another year â London loves a show and a good chuckle.
But hold on â not everyone could spend the entire day gallivanting about London! Perhaps you might choose to sit by a crackling fire, sipping tea and enjoying a warm piece of Christmas pudding. Such an image of quiet coziness warms my heart! Or, if you were on a stricter budget, perhaps youâd head out to enjoy the street performers, who would be adding their melodies to the already joyous sounds of London â the bustle and the music all combining to create such a delightful atmosphere!
It is clear to see that for the most part, the 6th of December 1910 was a day of celebration and light-hearted entertainment for most Londoners â not only was Christmas on its way, but people were making the most of the last few days of the theatre and concert season! How wonderful! Iâm going to book myself a theatre seat at the Hippodrome â one just needs a bit of magic in their life sometimes, donât you agree?
And there you have it, my lovely tutufied darlings! That's another journey into the past done and dusted, filled with captivating performances, a vibrant city, and a touch of Christmas cheer. Oh, it's a life I wouldnât trade! Donât forget to check back next week for more exciting #TutuTuesday adventures, weâll take another whirlwind trip back in time - oh, and Iâll try and squeeze a few new dresses for my next adventure! And if youâre looking for the latest news about ballet, make sure to visit my website www.pink-tutu.com and tell all your friends â wouldnât want them missing out!
Until next week, twirl with joy and keep on dancing,
Emma
