Christmas Ballet in 1964

Hello my lovely ballet bunnies! Welcome back to another Christmas Ballet History adventure! I am so thrilled to be diving into the 1964 festive season, a year bursting with ballet brilliance. And what’s better than a Christmas Ballet post? A Christmas ballet post in a brand new pink tutu! Isn’t it adorable? (I think it’s divine. What do you think?). It has sparkly snowflakes and holly! How festive!

Back in 1964, life was all about dancing to the sounds of the Beatles. The Rolling Stones were just starting to shake things up and Twiggy was captivating the world with her cool and chic fashion sense. We are talking mini-skirts, mod boots, and a whole lot of groovy vibes! Now imagine taking this groovy energy, combining it with a Christmas setting, and pouring it into a ballet! It's a dream, isn't it?

As the snowflakes began to fall outside and the sparkling Christmas lights were switched on across the land, ballet companies were putting on a right good show. And as we all know, I love a good ballet show.

Now, let’s step back in time… imagine yourselves, sitting beautifully dressed up, perhaps in a dazzling little frock, or a sassy trouser suit in a festive colour like emerald or ruby, your best red lips and that must-have cherry-red clutch bag in your hand - you’re all ready to take in the show! Let me tell you - they would’ve been a truly special evening!

From my little time travelling jaunt in 1964, I found out that, back in this fabulous decade, here's what ballet dancers were spinning up:

• The Nutcracker: This timeless masterpiece by Tchaikovsky, it seems, was everywhere! Just like now, audiences just couldn't get enough of the beautiful dancing and story of the Nutcracker! The choreography, costumes, and magic - it just transports you right into the heart of Christmas. Imagine being surrounded by gorgeous snowflakes, mischievous mice, and of course, the elegant Clara and her magical adventures!

• Sleeping Beauty: Oh, another Christmas staple. The graceful fairies, the noble knights, the sleepy princess, the villainous Maleficent. All that dramatic music and spectacular costumes, with such a touch of magic… swoon. The audiences in 1964 must have loved every second!

• Swan Lake: A ballet that never loses its appeal. It's still one of the most popular and famous ballets in the world. Imagine witnessing a performance of Swan Lake with the sheer grandeur of a Victorian ballet, and just that bit of ‘60s style infused! Can you just picture it? I think it’s fantastic!

The ballet fashion back in the ‘60s, as you would expect, reflected that decade’s style perfectly. And believe me, they knew how to make a tutu look stylish. There was no “just throw it on, and call it a day”. It’s all about those details!

• Tutus: Remember the 1964 era, that era of vibrant, vibrant colours? Tutus reflected this! You'd see beautiful hues like sapphire, amethyst, emerald emerald green, and fiery red. I mean, they look amazing don't they? Imagine myself in those tutus, wow, a real dancer of the era! And, with the love for the dramatic, the tutus themselves were big, sweeping, with extra-wide ruffles and flourishes.

• Leotards: Remember the mini-skirt trend that took the world by storm? That stylish and sassy feeling was infused into the leotards of the time. These weren’t your average boring, black ones - I'm talking bold colours like ruby red, sunflower yellow, or that sky blue of a perfect Summer’s day!

• Hair: Remember the beehive? Or the “bouffant"? Ballet dancers loved them too! Adding some hairspray (more, more!) and some carefully chosen decorations for their hair to achieve that extra glamorous look! It really was a different era wasn’t it?

• Makeup: Think, elegant makeup - think smoky eyes that smoulder. A generous layer of black eyeliner - perfectly arched, red lips, and blush cheeks! And to complement their costumes and makeup - you have that ballet dancer's perfect and elegant hair - just think, how sophisticated! It's quite amazing!

I would have absolutely loved to step into a ballet performance in 1964, and witness all this for myself. Being there, in the auditorium, among that crowd, just feels right, doesn’t it? Imagine those feelings of Christmas cheer. The joy, the lights and that incredible feeling of excitement, a real magic of the ballet experience. I’d love to get back in my time machine, jump to the next Christmas and take you all along on another fantastic journey into Christmas ballet history! Until then, don’t forget - pink is my favourite colour! Be sure to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com so you can join me on my next ballet adventure, and, always, let your inner ballerina shine through - it truly does make the world a better place.

And, until next time, remember, you are lovely!

I do hope you have enjoyed my post 73. Do leave a comment with your favourite ballet moment and please share on all social media to show your support!

Happy dancing and a merry Christmas!

Emma.