Hello my darling tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another fabulous Tutu Tuesday! It’s your favourite Derbyshire-born ballerina blogger, Emma, and today I'm twirling you back to the fabulously flamboyant year of 1966!
Let’s start with the main event – a double birthday bash! It's the 40th anniversary of the Ballet Rambert (don't you just love the sound of that?) and they’re celebrating in style, taking their exquisite dance productions to the Festival of the Arts at Aldeburgh, the quintessential English coastal haven. If anyone knows about a good festival, it's Aldeburgh! Can you imagine the excitement? I’m off on the train, as soon as this post is done, I'll be sipping tea, stuffing my face with some local delicacies, and witnessing the magic of these brilliant ballet dancers!
But hold on! Don't think for a second that just because it's 1966, the tutus are lacking pizazz! Think dramatic, think whimsical, think perfectly formed and flowing with effortless elegance – that's the key to tutus from this era! Just like a magnificent piece of silk on a bustling London street, these tutus are vibrant, beautiful and ever-so-slightly rebellious!
Speaking of rebellion, the world is starting to embrace new artistic styles! We’re moving from the classics to something fresh and exciting – New Dance! Think free-flowing, creative movement with emphasis on expressing your unique, raw emotion. Sounds a bit "hippie," doesn't it? But remember, we are talking about ballet! That raw expression gets beautifully wrapped in exquisite tutus!
Imagine these tutus, swirling and twisting against the backdrop of London’s underground clubs. The sound of vibrant music is replaced with the thump-thump of modern beats. It’s a vibrant scene, isn't it? The London Contemporary Dance Theatre is making waves with these radical movements, taking their exciting new choreography straight to the hearts of theatregoers – they're truly inspiring!
And the ballet shoes? Oh my! I just love the beautiful ballet slippers that were the rage of the 1960s. They’re the perfect touch for all those stunningly simple yet beautifully impactful moves! From The Royal Ballet to The Bolshoi (a true gem in Moscow’s theatrical landscape, you absolutely must see it), every ballerina on the scene knows what it means to move gracefully in beautifully handcrafted shoes!
If you're thinking of channeling your inner 1960s ballerina, think about some of the iconic ballerinas of the era – Margot Fonteyn, Lynn Seymour, and Sylvie Guillem! Their tutus were both sophisticated and bold. For the colour conscious amongst you, a stunning shade of pink was the signature for these 60s ballerinas. Pink! I knew you’d love this little fashion history lesson, my darling friends! Now let's take a minute to chat about what makes this year so special for a tutu lover!
*The Ballet in the News: *
First of all, did you know the year started with a wonderful treat: "Swan Lake, the masterpiece of all ballets!" The English National Ballet stole the show at the London Coliseum, with a performance to bring you straight back to the graceful, timeless elegance of Tchaikovsky’s stunning music. It's as much an incredible musical and visual feast as it is a fantastic dance experience. Did I mention they had some gorgeous new designs for their beautiful ballerina costumes? Just perfect!
Another huge success was the Royal Ballet's performance of “La Sylphide.” I'm sure many of you are familiar with the stunning and intricate ballet which took us back to the romantic era of ballet. A touch of romanticism amongst all the new dances? Now, that's something I appreciate! The music of this ballet just makes me want to spin!
In case you’re not already running to book your train tickets, March brings two major happenings – the return of "La Fille Mal Gardée,” * a playful and witty classic ballet! It’s a show filled with lots of personality, lovely characters, and beautiful tutus, of course! I always love a touch of comic relief – the tutus and choreography in “La Fille Mal Gardée*" will have you bursting with laughter and delight!
The final treat for March comes in the form of “The Tales of Hoffmann,” another ballet full of drama, love, and magic! We can't have ballet without a bit of magic, can we? All this talk about beautiful stories and graceful dances is starting to make me want to visit my local ballet class!
It's hard to choose what I'm most excited about for March, but what I can say for sure is, there's definitely going to be some magical ballet performances taking place throughout the month.
This isn’t just about dance – it's a reflection of an era and a cultural shift! That 1960s spirit just makes me want to grab my tutu and hit the dance floor, maybe even do a little ballet class or go shopping in London’s famous fashion districts! And why don’t you all join me?
Now, off to get my travel essentials packed – a lovely pink tutu, a good pair of dancing shoes, and a fabulous pink suitcase! Until next week, darlings!
*P.S. - * Have you been dancing to any fantastic ballets lately? Let me know what your favourite show or ballerina is. I always love hearing from my readers!
Emma. xx
