Hello my darling dears! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood Tutu Time Traveller, back again with another fabulous trip into the fascinating history of the ballet tutu. This week, we're twirling back to July 21st, 1936 – and oh my, what a year this was!
As I'm sure you lovely lot know, my life revolves around ballet and, more specifically, the beautiful, flowing wonder that is the tutu. From the earliest days of the art form to the glamorous performances of today, tutus have always held a special place in my heart. Today's journey will take us back to the time of grand ballerinas, glittering gowns, and a very special premiere in London that you simply won't want to miss!
Train Journey to a Grand Ballet Premiere:
My latest trip to the past whisked me through the heart of Derbyshire and onto a bustling train to the grand city of London. Oh, it was an exciting journey! Just imagine the clattering of wheels, the swirling smoke from the engine, and the excited chatter of people headed for a night of culture.
My heart was fluttering with anticipation. It wasn't just any night at the theatre, dear readers; it was opening night of "The Haunted Manor"! Imagine, my darlings! A spooky, dramatic ballet that would have you clutching your seats, peering out from behind your lace fans. The premiere was a grand affair, full of elegant gentlemen in top hats and exquisite ladies adorned in gorgeous gowns. I had to squeeze into my lovely new powder blue dress, just to blend in, you know! And I wasn’t shy about adding a sprinkle of pink!
London in 1936 - A City of Culture and Fashion:
Stepping into London's heart in the mid-1930s was like taking a trip into a picture book. Fashion was positively flamboyant! Imagine billowing, silken dresses, cloche hats, feathered boas, and exquisite jewels, all flowing with the grace of a beautiful ballerina. The streets hummed with life, shops brimmed with fashionable attire, and the air was thick with the aroma of afternoon tea.
But even amidst the glamour, my eyes were searching for the sparkle of the tutus, for those symbols of graceful dance that have held me spellbound since childhood. Luckily, the city held no shortage of such delight.
A Peek Inside The Grand Theatre:
The theatre was grand! Tall, sweeping stairs, a dazzling chandelier throwing its glittering reflection upon a multitude of smartly dressed people, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air, it was exhilarating! As I settled into my plush velvet seat, I couldn't help but notice the whispers and excited murmurs – this was a ballet performance unlike any I'd ever seen before.
The curtain rose, revealing the magnificent stage, bathed in light. As the music started, the dancers swirled, twirled, and jumped. Each movement a visual delight. I'm telling you, this was no ordinary ballet, but a theatrical spectacle – every pose, every leap, a marvel of storytelling. But what truly captured my attention, my dear readers, was the ballerinas’ costumes. It was quite a surprise, actually! I hadn't seen so much tulle and so much variation on the traditional tutu shape since the turn of the 20th century. You might have to take my word for it, the photographs of the time just don’t capture the richness of those tulle textures.
Imagine billowing clouds of pink tulle, soft whispers of lilac chiffon, and the most spectacularly sparkly silver. The tutus were both dramatic and intricate, emphasizing every graceful leap and pirouette.
Now, you might be asking, "Emma, why are these tutus so special?". The story behind this magnificent performance has a unique charm that ties the tutu into a lovely social story! "The Haunted Manor", I tell you, was all about innovation! It introduced a unique form of ballet storytelling that emphasized visual elegance alongside dramatic, emotive gestures. And these amazing tutus became a central part of this dance-filled tale!
A Whirlwind of Innovation - "The Haunted Manor":
The most intriguing aspect of "The Haunted Manor", you see, was its unique choreography. Forget rigid, traditional ballets - here, every movement seemed to flow like the shimmering fabric of a princess's gown. Imagine twirling, graceful leaps, and a symphony of emotion, all within a fantastical setting. It was revolutionary!
And it's at this point, dear friends, that we need to delve into a special kind of innovation: the rise of ballet shoes. Gone were the clunky pointe shoes of yesteryear. My fellow time-travelling ballerinas can tell you how heavy and painful they were! Now, however, ballerinas were gliding through their paces in lighter, more flexible shoes. The grace of these dances and the softness of these shoes were creating a complete symphony of delicate movement! This new type of footwear helped make a more flexible tutu possible, one that could flow and shimmer and respond to the lighter and more modern moves. It really was the most beautiful ballet!
Back to the Future, With Tutu on My Mind:
My journey through the heart of 1936 came to a beautiful conclusion. Back on that train, surrounded by tired, yet satisfied Londoners, I felt the excitement lingering from "The Haunted Manor" performance. Oh, the power of music and movement! What a treat to watch such creative energy unfold on stage! And my love for the tutu had certainly been reignited by those glittering tulle creations!
Of course, it wouldn't be a Tutu Tuesday blog without a bit of Emma’s fashion advice! I think that it's clear – this year, we’ll be twirling toward tutus! As I say, what is the point of a life without pink, glitter, and the joy of dance! We may not have grand stages or ballet premieres on our doorsteps, my lovely readers, but let's embrace the dance and add a touch of pink to every day, and in turn embrace every graceful turn of our daily lives, no matter where we go.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a train to catch! Until next Tuesday, my sweet dears. Don't forget, you can find me every week at www.pink-tutu.com and, of course, my Tutu Tuesday posts are always on the #TutuTuesday hashtag! Don't forget to let me know your favourite colour tutus! See you soon! Until then, remember, my darlings: the best kind of dance is the kind where you just let your tutu shine!
