Hello, darlings! It's Emma from Pink-Tutu, your favourite (and only) pink tutu wearing, time-travelling ballet enthusiast. And this week, we're skipping back to a fabulous decade - 1953! You've probably heard the whispers: it was the year of Her Majesty's coronation, and that magical time certainly added a dash of glitter to the ballet world, don't you think?
Now, picture this: It's Christmastime in 1953. The air is crisp, the lights are twinkling, and everyone's getting excited about Christmas dinner – even the Royal Family. But imagine this year, there’s a ballet happening! You might even be lucky enough to see one of the biggest names in ballet performing! Imagine catching Margot Fonteyn twirling across the stage in Giselle. Now, that's a Christmas dream, wouldn't you say?
It wasn't just the big-name productions like the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden – all over the country, dance was in the air. Regional companies like the Sadler's Wells Ballet were filling theatres with beautiful ballet productions. Imagine – The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella… And of course, everyone wanted a sparkly new tutu, because what's Christmas without a fabulous tutu to wear to the theatre?!
Speaking of which, what were ballerinas rocking in 1953? We're talking tulle, of course! (Did I mention my love for tulle?) Picture ballerina bodices adorned with intricate beadwork, adding a touch of festive sparkle to the dance. Can you picture it? Oh, and imagine the shoes – pale pink satin, with bows so pretty! Ballet fashion was en pointe back then, wasn’t it?
As you all know, Christmas in the 50s was all about family. Families flocked to the theatres, gatherings took place around the piano playing Christmas carols. Perhaps some budding ballerinas even danced with their families, even twirling in the comfort of their own homes! Just imagine - that kind of Christmas joy in their own home, every day. Now that’s what I call festive cheer!
We even have ballet in the media! Have you seen The Tales of Hoffman on film? You’ve got to see Moira Shearer! Not just a wonderful ballet, it’s also a beautiful film. It captured the atmosphere perfectly. Now, we all know film isn’t quite the same as a live show, but, this was definitely en pointe!
And let’s not forget - London's Covent Garden! They didn’t let the snow stop them - the shows were going strong, and oh my – the costuming was truly spectacular! So much velvet, satin and sparkle, fit for royalty, literally! And with the new year quickly approaching, London’s famous Victoria & Albert Museum hosted a massive Ballet and Opera Costume Exhibition. Fancy tutus and costumes from all over Europe! It’s incredible what they put on back then! And if you can imagine, all that lovely Victorian, and Georgian inspired designs from some of the great costume designers of that era – how divine is that?! I'm telling you, if time travel is possible, those outfits were made for me!
And while those glitzy costumes and shows might have seemed light years away for folks in smaller towns, there were still opportunities for a ballet fix in the provinces too. Local dance schools and even churches offered festive shows, bringing the joy of dance to communities around the country. I bet it was just like a magical mini version of what we enjoy today – street shows and pop up performances are just everywhere, don’t you think? And to think, we were getting amazing ballets from local community groups - who knew they were that much ahead of the times! I’m certain these performances made even the coldest nights warmer and hearts lighter!
Now, it's no secret – 1953 was a time when ballet became even more important in Britain, even more influential, I should say. Ballet was so in the heart of all that was happening. Just like, how it’s so important to all of us! I'm telling you, there's nothing quite like a bit of ballet to sparkle up the Christmas spirit. So, next time you find yourself in a vintage store, keep your eyes peeled for some retro-tutu inspiration. Maybe even try on a little Christmas dance costume – you’ll be glad you did. Because, nothing beats dancing your way into the festive season!
So, as I pack up my pink tutu and prepare to return to my own time (this time travel is so tiring!), remember – dance on! And until next time, stay pink! And don’t forget – tutus for everyone!!
Emma x
