Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-clad, time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you away on another enchanting #TutuTuesday adventure. This week, I've set my time machine for a journey back to 23rd November, 1943! Grab your favourite tulle and a spot of afternoon tea - we're stepping into the heart of wartime Britain, and exploring the world of ballet in those turbulent times.
Now, before we go gallivanting through the decades, let me just tell you, time travelling is thirsty work, especially when youâre travelling through a decade when rationing is the order of the day! You know me - a true ballerina canât resist a twirl and a good gossip! So I made a pitstop for a spot of tea and a delicious scone with clotted cream at the most adorable tearoom just off Piccadilly Circus. Theyâre having a special today â âVictory Cakeâ, and honestly, itâs delightful! It's amazing how everyone in this decade comes together over a shared love for delicious treats, no matter whatâs going on. The atmosphere is just so jolly!
Speaking of jollity, letâs talk ballet! Now, you might be surprised to learn that ballet was very much alive and thriving even during the war. Of course, the war had a huge impact on theatre, but people were still yearning for a bit of beauty and elegance in their lives.
You might be thinking that London would be filled with darkness, bomb shelters and sirens, and thatâs certainly true. However, that also meant that ballet, that little glimmer of joy and grace, became even more powerful. It provided a moment of respite from the chaos and reminded everyone of the importance of hope, beauty, and resilience. You wouldn't believe the incredible ballet performances I caught!
First off, a stop at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden for a glimpse of the Royal Ballet. These performers are the epitome of artistry and strength! The most dazzling performance this week is of âSwan Lake.â You just need to hear the soft, shimmering music that fills the air. Oh, and those magnificent tutus! Even with rationing, the costumes are utterly stunning. Youâve got to admire the talent of these artists for holding such strength and grace on stage!
Later, I enjoyed a delightful afternoon performance of âThe Sleeping Beautyâ by Sadler's Wells Ballet at their beautiful London theatre. Just magical. The dancers, in their billowing tutus, swept across the stage with an enchanting elegance, offering a heartwarming spectacle of love, beauty, and the promise of a brighter future.
Even smaller venues like the Cambridge Theatre hosted spectacular ballet performances. I caught a performance of âGiselle,â by a local company called âBallet Rambert.â It's breathtaking. You just canât get over the incredible talent! And donât even get me started on those tutus â oh, darling, they were so beautifully crafted! It just proves that even amidst wartime struggles, ballet held its place as an important part of society.
But wait, there's more! The war was a real opportunity for dancers to support their country. The ballet dancers became part of âThe Entertainments National Service Associationâ â otherwise known as âENSA.â These incredible dancers toured tirelessly across the globe, bringing cheer and hope to troops and communities alike. It just goes to show you - a bit of magic and grace can travel the world! The dedication of these dancers â they were performing even under blackout conditions - now that is true dedication to the art.
Speaking of dedication, there is something rather wonderful about the warâs effect on tutus. The designers were forced to work with minimal fabrics, creating amazing innovative designs with minimal materials! And that brings me to my biggest surprise â those beautiful pastel-colored tutus â imagine - pastel pink, lilac and even lemon yellow â wow! You really should try wearing pink, especially in wartime. It's all about reminding ourselves of a little joy. A splash of pink, or lavender, or even just a pretty white ribbon â what better way to raise the morale? And speaking of morale, who could possibly resist the urge to smile, even during times of adversity, while wearing a magnificent pink tutu?
Even today, we see tutus in all forms â on fashion runways, street fashion, ballet performances â we have those lovely vintage ballet companies still wowing us with their classic designs. And I can assure you, this little time traveller has already got her own designs in mind, especially for the next time I visit this magical era â who needs sequins when you can add in a spot of lace? And who needs a fussy under layer when a simple satin petticoat does the trick!
But donât think that wartime means you have to give up the elegance of tutus! A few weeks back, I found an absolute gem on Ebay - a gorgeous vintage tutu from 1942. Perfect for those ballerina vibes but it comes with an added bit of glamour, as it's made from sheer fabric that will certainly leave you mesmerized. Even with wartime restrictions, we can find a little magic in every era, you just need to have your eyes peeled.
As I close my blog today, I hope Iâve inspired you to remember that the history of ballet is one of creativity, strength and elegance. The wartime era in the 1940s is not always the first place people would look for tutus. But even in those trying times, tutus remained a testament to our enduring love for this beautiful art form.
So donât just dance in your everyday clothes - join me and wear a pink tutu this Tuesday. Because that's just what makes you, you - unique! And remember, darling, when you step into your tutu, you step into a world filled with magic, grace and endless possibility! And that, is something that even a time travelling ballerina canât get enough of.
