Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, and it's time to travel back in time for another instalment of our fabulous #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! This week, we're waltzing back to the 28th of November, 1978. Buckle your pointe shoes, darlings, because this one's a real treat!
Now, I’m whisking you straight to the heart of ballet: London, England. A city absolutely buzzing with the spirit of dance! In fact, just a few weeks ago, on the 9th of November, The Royal Ballet debuted its production of "The Sleeping Beauty", featuring the utterly divine choreography of Marius Petipa and Tchaikovsky's breathtaking score. It’s a story as enchanting as a spun sugar confection, perfect for transporting yourself to a world of magic and enchantment!
And guess what, my darling readers? The Royal Ballet itself is celebrating a big anniversary this month. Can you believe they've been thrilling audiences for a staggering 40 years?! Imagine how much wonderful ballet they've brought to the stage in that time!
I hear tell that there are all sorts of dazzling events and festivities going on around London to mark this milestone, all dripping with glamour and swirling with the excitement of the dance!
The most captivating piece I saw was a newly created work by the legendary Sir Frederick Ashton. "The Dream", based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is filled with such exquisite artistry! Imagine dancing fairies and the delightful silliness of Puck! I just adored it! The costuming is out of this world – you'll be seeing fairies with glorious gossamer wings, shimmering with every move. It's simply divine!
Speaking of costuming, wouldn't it be lovely if they could incorporate a few more pink tutus into the mix? Pink tutus are the ultimate expression of joy, romance and…well… pure loveliness. A sprinkle of pink never hurt anyone, and a ballet's got to have a touch of magic, hasn’t it?
But it's not all tutus and fairies, darling. London's a city pulsating with energy, so let's have a look at some other happenings. In fashion, the 1978 fashion scene is bursting with color, and yes! Pink is definitely in! Think chunky knit jumpers in vivid colours and bold geometric prints, flares with everything from paisley patterns to the ever-so-trendy gingham, and glamorous long scarves with flamboyant colour schemes - all adding that delightful pop of energy. A touch of pink goes wonderfully well with all of that, I assure you!
This time of year in England also brings some delightful treats, perfect for afternoon tea on a chilly day. I hear the local bake shops are full of scrumptious mince pies! Those are the quintessential wintertime dessert, full of fragrant spice, raisins, and an oh-so-tempting pastry crust.
If you find yourself in London this November, take a stroll through Kensington Gardens. Just think of all the wonderful stories waiting to be discovered among the elegant Victorian-era lampposts, imposing Kensington Palace and the beautiful Hyde Park. I can just imagine some wonderful vintage photographs from that era being taken here!
Now, I must confess, while my time traveling antics usually involve jumping straight from train station to ballet theatre, this week, I actually travelled to London by… well… TRAIN! A splendid little train journey filled with colourful views, charming little towns and oh, the joy of gazing at the world whizzing by! If you have time to relax, just remember a trip by train always helps to enhance the journey! It’s all part of the fun, I tell you!
But no matter how much fun I'm having time traveling, I can't forget about you lovely Tutu Twirlers. Keep an eye on your local ballet schools - it's likely they’ll be offering a host of special workshops or classes to mark the Royal Ballet’s milestone. And remember to add that touch of pink to your lives - whether it's a new lipstick shade, a pink scarf or, naturally, a glorious pink tutu! You can’t go wrong, my dears!
Keep twirling, keep dreaming and most importantly…
Keep dancing!
Love,
Emma xoxox
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