Hello, my darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveller, and it's #TutuTuesday once again! Today, we're stepping back in time to 8th February 1966, a date that holds a special place in ballet history.
My goodness, what a whirl of a week it has been! After an absolutely divine performance of "Giselle" at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, I packed my bags and hopped on a charming train (always a delightful mode of transport, wouldn't you agree?) for a jaunt to London, my favourite city for a spot of shopping and some high-quality ballet. And you know, there's nothing quite like London for fashion! Oh, the dazzling shops on Bond Street, teeming with the most exquisite silk, satin, and tulle imaginable! I managed to snag a stunning pink ball gown that just begged to twirl, you know how it is!
Now, let's chat about ballet history, shall we? It wouldn't be #TutuTuesday without it! In February 1966, ballet was reaching new heights of popularity. The Royal Ballet was at its zenith, featuring breathtaking performances by Dame Margot Fonteyn, the most famous ballerina of the era. Just picture it – the elegant swishes of her famous "Fonteyn leg" in a cloud of ethereal tulle! Now that’s what I call grace!
Remember those wonderful pointe shoes I talked about last week, darlings? The ones with the pointed toes, a true marvel of engineering! Well, in 1966, pointe work was a crucial element of ballet performance. These shoes weren't just for show, mind you; they required a lot of strength, training, and of course, exquisite balance! I must admit, my heart skips a beat every time I see a ballerina on pointe.
While in London this week, I saw the most wonderful performance at Covent Garden! A rendition of "The Sleeping Beauty" with the most glorious tutus, each a delicate explosion of pink and white. Each ballerina, a graceful swan, danced like a dream come true. Oh, my dears, those beautiful, voluminous tutus! Honestly, I think tutus deserve to be worn by everyone!
Did you know, darlings, that the "ballet tutu," as we know it today, only dates back to the late 19th century? Can you imagine the excitement of the Parisian dancers of the time as they took the stage for the first time in this incredible creation? They weren't just dancers, they were fairies! It was a magical period.
Speaking of magic, that reminds me of our time travel theme today. 1966, you see, was an age of technological advancement. And don't you think this echoes with my mission – to bring the wonder of ballet to the world? It’s just a tiny step away from my desire to bring a touch of the pink tutu to the heart of every wardrobe!
As you know, darlings, time travel takes a lot of money, a great deal of effort, and lots of dedication to ballet. Which is why, after my trip to London, I'll be dancing my heart out in Paris for the next few days. I've already snagged tickets for a dazzling performance of "Swan Lake", and you know I'll be scouring the Parisian shops for my next tutu creation! My travels to Vienna and the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, already booked, are the next stops on my grand adventure!
Remember, darlings, every performance, every trip, is a step closer to making the world a more colourful and twirlingly wonderful place.
Keep dancing!
XOXO, Emma
The World CelebratesRemember, we are looking at a point in time where tutus were widely worn. That would be ballet and performances where dancers are at their peak glamour!
This very date, February 8, 1966, holds special significance as well. Imagine this – The Beatles, at their very peak of popularity, are taking the stage in the UK with "Day Tripper" and “We Can Work It Out” – the sound of the generation in those times. The sheer thrill of that music, coupled with the delicate beauty of ballet, must have made it a wonderfully dynamic year in cultural terms!
Now I simply cannot resist this opportunity to share some exciting news from our very own, darling Derbyshire! Yes, my hometown, dear Derbyshire, holds a very special place in ballet history. Back in 1966, the Derbyshires dancers were training hard, inspired by the ballet world. We are, as always, at the heart of everything wonderful and ballet-related! I know, darlings, you all secretly love a bit of the Peak District!
There's so much more to discuss, darlings, and don't worry - I'll be back next week, on Tutu Tuesday, with even more glamorous tales from my adventures through time.
Remember: wear a pink tutu. Keep the glamour going. See you next week!
XOXO
Emma.
