Hey darlings, welcome back to Pink-tutu.com! I'm Emma, your resident pink-loving ballet fanatic. Today, we're embarking on a whirlwind tour of Christmas ballets from 1984, complete with sequins, swirling tulle, and of course, the pinkest tutu I could find. So, grab your cocoa, settle in, and let's dance through time!
Remember those glorious 80s days? Big hair, bold fashion, and a booming soundtrack - truly a time of joyous expression! But for a ballet enthusiast like myself, it's also a time filled with a rich tapestry of balletic masterpieces. I'm always travelling back to this magical decade – my favourite for its dramatic interpretations and bold costume designs! Thankfully, my secret street ballet performances are more than paying their way… just the other day I managed to pick up some utterly exquisite vintage silk and sequined fabrics to add to my stash! I am absolutely set for some exciting costuming projects, don't you think?
So, what did 1984 hold for Christmas ballets? The world was abuzz with exciting news! The Royal Ballet debuted a brand-new production of "The Nutcracker", directed by the legendary Anthony Dowell. I couldn't resist popping back to see this stunning production - it was full of exquisite costumes and enchanting choreography, and I couldn't have dreamed of a more whimsical and dazzling setting for the holiday season! The exquisite snow queen costumes were a triumph, a glorious swathe of shimmering white, and let's not forget the delicious frocks the Sugar Plum Fairy flaunted! Oh, the inspiration!
Of course, the darling tutus were an absolute delight - and oh how I adored the festive snowflake designs! The Christmas tree itself was like a giant bouquet of pink, blue, and silver hues – absolute ballet bliss! Imagine a Christmas tree that could inspire a million tutus! I, naturally, nabbed some scraps of the pink sequined fabrics that adorned the costumes, but I was determined not to take the shine from anyone else. What a delicious spectacle to have witnessed - that, my friends, is a Christmas memory to treasure!
But 1984 was not all about "The Nutcracker"! I remember the excitement at The Royal Opera House, which hosted a fantastic rendition of "Coppelia" during December! Now, you've probably all heard of this ballet – this timeless tale of love and confusion. This production was especially captivating because it starred the exquisite Alessandra Ferri, a real ballet superstar, and you can't mention "Coppelia" without mentioning the delightful "Swanilda" costume - a true blend of innocence and playfulness, I swear, my dearest reader, you will find the ballet fashionista within you rising at this magical sight! I loved this ballet and especially adored the elaborate Swanhilda costume - such intricate patterns, swirling fabric, and a delightfully bright yellow to boot!
This year, a special production of "Cinderella" took place at the English National Ballet - I have such a fondness for this show and it’s not hard to see why this ballet was a staple for many at the time - a beautiful blend of traditional fairytale romance and delightful Christmas cheer, what's not to love?
And it wasn't just London buzzing with balletic merriment - theatres all over the country, especially in my charming little Derbyshire village, held their own festive celebrations! There was even a school Christmas ballet performance that used the old "Snow White" costumes. It may not have been anything like the stunning grandeur of London, but the heartwarming spirit was the same. The sheer delight of seeing so many children experience the joy of dance, in their little costumes and sparkling shoes, brought tears to my eyes. Truly magical!
Oh, and if there's anything better than a ballet, it's shopping, darling. Imagine, vintage lace for tutus and perfectly glittery fabric for embellishments. This was the year that "Dancing Machine" was topping the charts and disco ball fever swept the nation. I couldn't resist incorporating this joyous energy into my dance wear! That metallic blue, glittering against black and sparkly fabric… divine! My street ballet performance got many a delighted shout for its glamorous twist.
Oh, let’s not forget that fabulous "Nutcracker" revival! Just thinking about it sends a shiver of joy down my spine - truly a beautiful time. There were other productions at that time but "The Nutcracker" remained a cornerstone of the Christmas ballet season. Now, the 1984 revival remains a constant in ballet world! Who could ask for a more magical winter treat? The most popular version now? The New York City Ballet performance. Every December, their version fills the New York State Theatre, with a wonderful symphony of swirling tutus, a vibrant array of colourful characters and captivating costumes. Oh, what I'd give to pop back to that show, and have a little twirl on the stage! But we must respect the stage and the artistry - that's my motto darling, even with my adventurous, pink-filled, time travel explorations.
As we move into 2023, the magic of ballet, especially at Christmas time, reminds us that there’s a unique spark in sharing beautiful things. A reminder, darlings, that we can always make magic happen, no matter what. Now go grab that tulle and create some ballet magic of your own. And if you find any delightful pink sequined scraps from vintage dance outfits, please, send them my way! Oh, and be sure to visit my favourite online dance shop, The Ballet Boutique, where you can get your tutu fix. We can find beautiful tutus that would delight the imagination of every ballet devotee!
Happy Holidays, darlings! And until next time, stay sparkly!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S Don’t forget, my next post will feature a deep dive into the amazing 1985 Christmas ballets – oh my goodness, that is a whole different realm of tutu heaven. I’m telling you – the tutu costumes were phenomenal, and those elaborate headdresses... Just wait until you see it, I have something special planned, including some behind the scenes photographs. Stay tuned, my dearest ballet aficionados, for an incredible trip to 1985 Christmas Ballet Magic! You can check it out on my next blog post – same time next week!
