Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, back with another peek into the magical world of Christmas ballet history! This week we’re diving right back into the 1920s, a decade bursting with style and glamour, and 1921 in particular feels oh-so-special to me, for a multitude of reasons you’ll soon discover. But first, let’s put on our fancy frocks (and perhaps a little glitter for good measure), grab some bonbons and get comfy for a truly festive journey through time!
You see, my latest jaunt through the annals of time, a trip fuelled by the generous applause from the crowd after a spectacular street performance outside a rather posh London department store (I even managed to squeeze in a bit of pre-Christmas shopping! You should see my new bejeweled hair comb - quite divine, don't you think?), took me straight to 1921. And let me tell you, darlings, this year felt like the perfect marriage of ballet brilliance and that distinctly roaring-twenties, "Anything goes" attitude! It's just pure delightful!
Before we get all starry-eyed about ballet, I do have to mention the wonderful world of fashion, because 1921 was truly a glorious era for it, with all those fantastic silhouettes and extravagant designs. Think flapper dresses, oh-so-chic bobs (you wouldn't believe how many bobs I've spotted in this era! Absolutely revolutionary!) and the dazzling art deco jewellery. I adore how they effortlessly combined elegance and practicality in 1921, especially with those shorter skirts allowing for some fabulous footwork! They did have a knack for the dramatic, the good souls of 1921, that's for sure.
Speaking of drama, the dance world in 1921 was, you guessed it, just as dramatically wonderful! Now, here in Derbyshire, ballet wasn't a staple part of our Christmas entertainment like it is today, and believe me, we were missing out. It was in cities like London, Paris, and even New York, that ballet was making some serious waves during this time! It was the era of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, the company that literally redefined ballet across the world.
Think shimmering costumes that moved like liquid gold, dances infused with the dramatic flair of "Le Sacre du Printemps," (which still sends shivers down my spine even now) and of course, the ballet "Scheherazade", which premiered in Paris back in 1910 but was still stealing hearts everywhere it was performed in 1921, including in London. I actually saw it during my time travel journey - an absolute masterpiece of intricate choreography and a sensual tale told entirely through dance. Truly magical!
Speaking of London, imagine my surprise when I saw the legendary Diaghilev and his Ballets Russes on a huge billboard! They were performing in London at the prestigious Alhambra Theatre during the Christmas season. I practically gasped! You can only imagine how I, your resident ballerina blogger, felt - It was a total dream come true!
There were so many performances in London that year. You can only imagine my excitement - I saw Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, and let me tell you, the audience was in absolute awe. Not to mention the absolutely astounding choreography. It's incredible how, even with almost a century separating us, ballet's ability to captivate still remains.
Now, don't get me wrong, I completely adore the vibrant world of contemporary ballet. But there’s something undeniably magical about seeing the grace and poise of traditional Christmas ballet. The timeless tales, the enchanting music, it’s a captivating experience that reminds us of the magic of Christmas, all wrapped up in that timeless charm of classical dance.
Remember, darlings, a truly chic outfit isn't complete without that finishing touch, that added flourish - and that, my loves, is the joy of a festive tutu! For those Christmas ballet performances, there is a truly beautiful ballet shoe for each and every outfit! There were exquisite velvet ribbons, sparkling sequins, and a vibrant burst of colour. I'm talking an absolute rainbow of beautiful designs to wear on my own adventures and the dancers I saw on my trip to London!
Here's my advice - don’t limit yourselves to just the traditional colours. Try a pale pink tutu, just as my blog name suggests, for a classic, timeless elegance! It truly makes your figure sparkle! Pair it with a soft blush velvet ribbon and some dazzling earrings – absolutely exquisite. For a real standout piece, go bold with emerald green or even a shimmering ruby! Oh, I simply cannot wait until next Christmas so I can be at the Royal Opera House, donning the most exquisite of emerald tutus with velvet ribbons and diamond tiaras! It will be magnificent! Just don't tell anyone, I'm still trying to work out the travel arrangements for this next year!
As the Christmas season unfolds, may you be inspired to discover your own magical Christmas ballet experiences, whether in a grand theatre or within the pages of a book. And remember, the perfect tutu can truly complete the enchantment, no matter what style your inner ballerina desires.
Until next time, keep twirling in style, darlings!
Much love and sparkling fairy dust,
Emma, the Pink-Tutu Girl!
