Welcome back, darlings, to my little corner of the internet dedicated to all things tutu! This week, we're taking a trip down memory lane – or should I say, down the railway tracks – to the 6th of November, 1984. My darling time machine's clockwork was humming a particularly tuneful symphony this week, taking me straight to the heart of London.
The air was crisp, the pavements shiny from a recent rain shower, and I, naturally, was twirling in a delightfully pink tutu! It's funny to think that in 1984, London was already buzzing with an infectious love for dance, particularly ballet. Now, some of you might think this was just before tutus went "out" (can tutus ever truly go out of fashion?), but oh no! London was in the thick of a magnificent ballet boom, with some absolutely incredible productions taking to the stage.
Now, remember that tutu history isn't just about the fashion, it's also about the shows, the stories, and the performers themselves. It's a tapestry woven with sequins, satin, and stories of incredible artistry. So, let's unravel this specific Tuesday evening in 1984, shall we?
The Royal Opera House was the epicentre of this balletic frenzy. I found myself waltzing (literally! A young ballerina needs to stay limber) right into a stunning performance of The Sleeping Beauty. This particular performance, featuring the renowned Royal Ballet company, had everyone captivated. My own heart fluttered at the sight of delicate, impossibly graceful movements, the swirling of the magnificent costumes – oh, and the tutus! The ballerinas' tutus, with their intricate detailing and billowing tulle, just had this magical glow that I can still see in my mind's eye!
Speaking of tutus, I had a marvelous time browsing through a nearby shop called "The Ballet Box". Imagine a treasure trove of ballet shoes, ribbons, leotards – and tutus, oh, the tutus! They were like rainbows of fabric and colours, each more beautiful than the next. A truly wondrous place, just as any tutu lover deserves.
But wait! The day's festivities weren't just confined to the Royal Opera House. In fact, this November 6th marked a pretty special event at the London Coliseum. Imagine, a grand opening for the English National Ballet! It was a night bursting with energy, enthusiasm, and a whole lot of excitement. Seeing the entire theatre pulsating with life as the dancers took the stage...it was truly exhilarating.
Now, this is where it gets interesting, because my own, shall we say, professional duties (my love of tutus has a way of weaving itself into everything I do, even my "work" as a ballet performance fund-raiser, I admit!) led me straight to Covent Garden. That night, the esteemed Royal Ballet had a rather magnificent programme featuring Manon, which I hear told a pretty intriguing story of love and loss (but don't you worry, darling, all ballet is essentially a fairytale in the end!)
But before I tell you all about it, let's rewind a little bit and look at this day's historical context. In 1984, the world was dancing to the beat of Prince's "Purple Rain", Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", and Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Talk about some serious tunes to inspire graceful moves, eh?
In terms of fashion, think bold colours, neon lights, and shoulder pads galore! The era of leggings, bright-coloured sweaters, and power suits was in full swing, but what could ever outshine a magnificent pink tutu in such a bold world? You guessed it! Nothing! I bet a few of you even have some pictures from back then of you rocking a pink tutu yourself! Do share them with me on our social media pages.
Speaking of tutus, let's talk about that beautiful piece of fabric! Back then, tutus, like their modern-day counterparts, had different styles. Think "classical" tutus like those seen in The Sleeping Beauty, featuring multiple layers of tulle. And, of course, we have those ever-so-graceful "romantic" tutus, flowing like ethereal dreams – perfect for stories like Giselle.
So, there you have it! A glimpse into a magical night in 1984, a time when tutus were truly in the spotlight and the world was celebrating the magic of ballet! I can only imagine what the tutu world will bring next week – oh, the excitement! And speaking of the world, it's almost time for my next time-travelling adventure, so I shall take my leave of you lovely lot for now. Remember, darlings, life's a ballet, so always find a reason to twirl, dance, and, of course, wear a fabulous pink tutu!
Until next #TutuTuesday,
Emma xx
