Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina extraordinaire, and I'm absolutely giddy to whisk you all away to a fabulous September day in 1919!
Now, buckle up your sequined shoes and get ready to twirl because today we're venturing back to a time when the world was buzzing with the afterglow of the First World War, but the spirit of dance was as vibrant as ever.
Magic Meg Takes the Reins
My trusty steed, Magic Meg, my pink sparkling Shire with the golden hooves, was absolutely champing at the bit to gallop through time this month. I had my pink tutu carefully tucked into my trusty leather rucksack - always prepared for a last minute impromptu pirouette in any century! - and we were off. The wind whipping through my hair as we journeyed through the past, always brings me such a sense of wonder!
1919: A World On Pointe
Now, you might think 1919 wasn't a particularly fashionable time for ballet, but darling, you'd be wrong! After the devastation of the war, people needed beauty, grace, and escapism - and ballet provided all of that in abundance! The world of dance was alive and kicking - just like my heart every time I step on stage.
I hopped off Magic Meg in a bustling London and felt a wave of energy rush through me. There was something so electrifying in the air. I simply had to go and see what the talk of the town was. Turns out it was a brand new ballet at the Royal Opera House, "Le Carnaval," featuring a young, up-and-coming dancer named Serge Lifar - what a name! The ballet world was absolutely abuzz about him, and my little pink heart fluttered just at the thought of a budding legend like him.
The theatre was packed with London's elite - ladies in shimmering dresses and gentlemen in elegant suits - but as soon as the music started, I knew it was magic. Lifar was a real treat! His dancing was powerful yet lyrical, expressive yet controlled. He really was a shining star in a glittering ballet firmament. It's no wonder that people were saying "Le Carnaval" was the most breathtaking ballet since Diaghilev's Ballets Russes had stormed the Parisian stage a decade ago.
Finding the Fashion and Fun in 1919
After "Le Carnaval" finished, I had to get myself a new pink tutu, because a little bit of a ballet binge never goes amiss. So I wandered through London's West End, discovering some seriously stylish shops that sold the most exquisite costumes and dancewear! Imagine, you can't find a good pink tutu anywhere in Derbyshire - all the boutiques seem to prefer the sombre colours of our industrial past - so I was like a child let loose in a candy store. I found the most perfect powder pink tutu, so delicate and airy, that felt like I was twirling on a cloud. And the prices were actually a bargain for such an exquisite piece. I almost couldn't believe my luck - this is how we ballerinas get our kicks, after all, a lovely tutu is a girl's best friend!
I must admit though, this new tutu wasn’t just for me - it was also for the next chapter in my little blog. The "Pink Tutu Time Travels" blog is what gives my little life meaning - after all, who doesn't want to twirl through time in a beautiful tutu, spreading a little joy and a bit of pink love everywhere? And, I am always searching for new ways to inspire people to wear tutus - even those who may be a little bit shy. The pink tutu has power, darling, to bring joy to all.
Keeping the Ballet Buzz Alive
That evening, I headed back to Derbyshire on Magic Meg, with my tutu in my rucksack ready to share the ballet buzz with my local community. You know me, I love to share a little magic, and I thought that getting the town all whipped up into a little ballet frenzy might be fun. I thought a few little ballet classes might be in order - with lots of twirling, and naturally, all the girls in pretty pink tutus. The boys are allowed to join in too, but honestly it's the girls in their tutus that give a ballet class its unique sparkle. There will be an exciting new ballet show too on the horizon. But shhh! It’s a secret. And that means stay tuned to "Pink Tutu Time Travels."
Now, I need to get busy, writing, planning, and creating a whole world of sparkle. My heart is ready to fly again - and my pink tutu is ready to twirl you all away! Until next month!
xx Emma.
