Hello darling dancers and tutu-lovers! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday, where we take a twirling trip through the magical world of ballet history! Today, we're heading back to a glamorous and fascinating era: August 7th, 1928. Hold onto your tutus, ladies, because we're in for a real treat!
As a ballerina with a penchant for pink and a serious passion for the history of dance, it's hard for me to pick a favourite period, but 1928 has a special place in my heart. Imagine: the roaring 20s, with all its jazz, glamour, and flapper dresses. But did you know that 1928 was also a year of monumental strides for the ballet world?
For those of you who haven't been to my little corner of the internet before, I'm Emma, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger with a mission: to spread the love of pink tutus and all things ballet to the world. I believe that every day can be #TutuTuesday, and my trusty time machine makes sure of it. Today, though, we're travelling back to Paris, a city that has always been synonymous with fashion, art, and, of course, ballet.
Now, you're probably thinking, "What happened on August 7th, 1928, that would interest a tutu-obsessed girl like you, Emma?" Well, darling, it was a Tuesday, and as every discerning ballerina knows, Tuesday is #TutuTuesday! (But you knew that, didn't you? 😉).
Let me whisk you away to the Opéra Garnier, the grandest opera house in Paris, where a dazzling premiere took place. It wasn't just any premiere, it was the first performance of The Prodigal Son, a ballet by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. It's a story of a young man who leaves his home and family for a life of reckless abandon, but ultimately learns the error of his ways and returns to a life of virtue. Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes are known for their incredible costumes and sets. The Prodigal Son had its fair share of them – extravagant costumes by the brilliant Léon Bakst, whose designs always pushed the boundaries of stage fashion. Now, while there may not have been pink tutus, The Prodigal Son offered beautiful dancers like Anton Dolin and Lydia Sokolova and was known for its dramatic stories, incredible choreography, and sumptuous sets – all elements that capture the hearts of dancers everywhere!
Even though 1928 saw some amazing productions, ballet was starting to evolve rapidly. George Balanchine, a revolutionary figure in the dance world, was about to set the stage alight with his own exciting innovations. Diaghilev's death in 1929 marked the end of an era but also marked the dawn of a new one where ballerinas and the ballet world in general were set for some dramatic shifts. We’ll talk more about George Balanchine and the impact he had on dance in later posts!
After enjoying The Prodigal Son I’d have taken a little stroll along the Champs-Élysées and stopped to marvel at the beautiful shops selling elegant frocks for women. The styles were amazing – loose flowing dresses with beads and embellishments - all so very feminine and perfect for a young lady about to indulge in an afternoon tea. I could see the new styles influencing the way ballerinas like me danced. I couldn’t imagine anything better than adding some sparkles to a light-as-air tulle tutu, with some of the most exquisite patterns of lace and a sash around the waist. Oh my! How divine that would look on stage. It is no surprise the Roaring Twenties influenced the world of dance as it did so many other areas. The flappers loved to move their limbs with jazz dance being one of the hottest dance trends. The art deco aesthetic made it onto sets for plays, costumes and music, everything that went along with jazz. That was where The Prodigal Son really started to get people thinking about dance in new ways. I hope that I am bringing these exciting new styles of the Roaring Twenties back to my performances - hopefully with a pink tutu involved.
Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a delicious lunch at a charming cafe, surrounded by artists, writers, and fashionistas. Imagine yourself, ladies, sipping a café au lait with a slice of scrumptious éclairs and chatting about the latest trends. Just picture yourself twirling across the dance floor in an elegant ensemble! Just the way to recharge before another night at the Opéra Garnier, followed by a late-night rendezvous with some of the avant-garde fashion designers and the stars of the ballet, exchanging whispered gossip about the newest ballet shoes! Paris truly is the ultimate #TutuTuesday destination!
Now, you might be wondering what’s the latest in the world of dance this August 7th. Sadly, I don’t have my time machine handy this time around so, I’m going to have to go old school, and recommend you take a trip to the ballet! If you are in Derbyshire like me, then The Derby Theatre has ‘Into The Unknown – An evening of New Work’. What a perfect opportunity to get inspired! Now that I think of it, why don’t we plan a day at the ballet with some new tutu styles? Just me and you, darling, a shared coffee, a couple of pastries, and a whole load of chatter about all the latest styles.
And don't forget, it's all about sharing the love of dance! Don't forget to tag your own #TutuTuesday pictures! Share the joy and celebrate everything from ballet to beautiful tutus! I’m off to design my next fabulous ensemble with plenty of pink for my next show and you never know when you’ll be able to find me traveling in my time machine around the world at the hottest new ballet events. Happy twirling!
