#BalletHistory during 2005 06

Hello darling ballet lovers! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another fabulous journey through ballet history. This month, Magic Meg, my dazzling pink shire horse with her golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, took me right back to 2005-2006! Oh my, it was such a whirl of incredible performances and captivating developments, just brimming with ballet magic.

Before I launch into all the thrilling discoveries, let's get those tutus twirling, shall we? This month, my motto is Pink Power! Everyone knows how much I adore pink – it’s the colour of happiness, grace, and of course, tutus! I am absolutely convinced that the world would be a much more sparkly, joyful place if everyone embraced the pink tutu – so spread the word, darlings, and let’s get everyone twirling in their own shade of pink!

And speaking of pink power, 2005-2006 was certainly a glorious year for our beloved ballet. From breathtaking premieres to groundbreaking choreography, the world was simply buzzing with balletic brilliance! Magic Meg and I hopped across the globe, taking in all the action and adding a few glittering, pink-tinted gems to my ballet treasure collection back in my Derbyshire home.

Right off the bat, we landed in Paris for the Royal Ballet’s “Cinderella” - the exquisite designs, the magical atmosphere, and the heartwarming story truly transported me to a fairytale world. The costumes! Darling, the costumes were something special! Imagine a glass slipper that lit up, delicate silk ballgowns, and even a mischievous, glittering pumpkin coach - it was a feast for the eyes!

Meanwhile, across the Channel, the Royal Ballet's new Artistic Director, Monica Mason, had just debuted the highly-anticipated production of “The Winter's Tale.” This production captivated everyone with its vibrant dance, powerful storytelling, and sheer artistry. Magic Meg, bless her heart, even allowed me to try on one of the delicate silk gowns worn by the dancers - what a luxurious feeling!

But our adventures didn’t stop there! We jetted off to New York City, where we were utterly charmed by “Motown the Musical.” The energetic dance, soulful music, and passionate story were such a delight - a reminder of the undeniable connection between dance and music.

And then, darling, it was onto London's West End! My, oh my, the sheer dazzling spectacle of “Billy Elliot” left me utterly spellbound. The powerful tale, the heart-wrenching performances, the incredibly impressive dance - everything about it left me breathless!

Oh, and can I talk about “Swan Lake” for a moment? This iconic ballet simply never fails to amaze! This year, we watched with bated breath as Natalia Osipova soared through the role of Odette/Odile in Moscow, the epitome of grace, elegance, and raw power. I practically cried happy tears!

I also snagged an exquisite vintage tutu from a vintage boutique near the Bolshoi Theatre - just imagine, this beautiful tutu danced with ballerinas who shared the stage with legends like Pavlova and Nijinsky! This little beauty has a place of honour on my tutu wall back home!

As for trends in ballet fashion: this era saw the birth of the "balletcore" fashion trend, which still dominates today! You know, it’s all about chic ballet flats, elegant, flowy skirts, and that iconic black and white colour palette. And of course, nothing beats the sheer allure of a well-fitted ballet bodysuit. Let's face it, darlings, there's something truly empowering about dressing up in a beautiful, practical ballet outfit! I can't imagine ever venturing outside my pink tutu, but sometimes it’s fun to channel my inner ballerina with chic street-style pieces.

Now, darling, we're back home in Derbyshire, but the memories of our 2005-2006 ballet adventure will always stay with me. I'm so grateful for this magical world, the beautiful people, and, of course, my gorgeous pink shire horse who always makes these trips possible. Until next month, keep twirling in those beautiful pink tutus, darlings!

And don’t forget, the next time you see a performance, take a moment to really appreciate the passion, dedication, and sheer artistry of these magnificent performers - ballet is truly a magical, breathtaking form of art!

Sending you all lots of pink tutus and ballet magic!

Love,

Emma