Welcome back, darling dears, to Pink Tutu Travels! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-traveller, Emma, here, and today’s post marks an exciting new year – a whole new year of ballet adventures to share!
This month, Magic Meg, my shimmering pink Shire horse with golden hooves and a magnificent white mane and tail, whisked me back to the 1st of January 1946, a date filled with a very special sort of magic, indeed. After all, a new year is always a cause for celebration, especially when it signifies the dawn of a new era - in our case, the era of a post-war ballet world, buzzing with fresh creativity!
(It's post number 3421 on www.pink-tutu.com, for those of you following along!)
I must tell you, my dearest readers, as I landed in the midst of the bustling streets, the post-war atmosphere was palpable - the air vibrated with a cautious optimism and a strong yearning for peace and joy. Imagine, if you will, a sense of collective relief after a long and tumultuous time. Ballet, it seems, played a vital role in capturing and conveying these emotions.
The London stage, as always, was teeming with activity. A quick visit to Covent Garden revealed a beautifully presented programme - a whole month dedicated to “Ballets of the World”! Imagine my delight – I practically skipped with glee – it included a mix of familiar favourites and daringly new pieces from across the globe! There was a dazzling rendition of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" on the 17th, which you all know and love, darling dears. The dancers, with their ethereal movements and the iconic white tutus, were a sight to behold.
But the real thrill of 1946 lay in the new offerings. I must confess, I practically gasped at the announcement of "Concerto for Two Solo Pianos" by the masterful Igor Stravinsky. This was a piece with an undeniable edge, a sense of modernity and stark power that left its mark on the world of ballet. And on the 29th, my oh my! They showcased the powerful and intensely theatrical "Rodeo", a wild and exciting American ballet from Agnes de Mille, filled with dynamic storytelling and energetic moves - a real burst of vibrant energy after years of stillness and silence!
(This trip to 1946 was certainly one to add to my ballet rucksack, which I keep full of clippings, ticket stubs, and memories, darling dears! )
Of course, no journey into the world of ballet is complete without a touch of fashion! And oh, what a glamorous time it was. I absolutely adored the post-war look - think nipped waists, swirling skirts, and elegant ballet shoes that danced between practicality and poise. For myself, of course, I sported my most dazzling pink tutu - it's an absolute necessity when you travel through time.
Let me share a little tidbit with you: a new kind of "ballerina" silhouette was emerging, even beyond the confines of the theatre! You might spot it in your own wardrobe, if you keep a keen eye! Imagine that iconic tutu, a symbol of feminine grace and airy elegance, but softened by flowing lines, romantic floral prints and a more subdued colour palette. It was as if the world of ballet was starting to permeate everyday fashion! How charming!
But this was not simply a glamorous spectacle. 1946 saw the beginning of a re-building, a yearning for a brighter future that could only be fuelled by joy, by art, and yes, by the beautiful language of ballet. In the face of adversity, creativity and dance took centre stage, becoming a powerful symbol of hope and renewal, of joy and artistic expression, just as it always has, and as it does now.
As we head into this new year, 2023, I believe we can learn a thing or two from our 1946 journey, darling dears. We can embrace the joy of movement, the elegance of the dance, and the power of expression. Let’s step out, with grace and a hint of pink tulle, to embrace our own stories, to tell them with heart and soul, and to dance, together, through the years to come.
Until next month, darlings, happy dancing, and do stay fabulous!
XOXO Emma
