Hello my darling dears! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina. It's December, the air is crisp with the promise of snow, and I’ve got a very special trip to tell you about. Buckle up your dancing shoes, darlings, we're heading to… the year 2025!
I know, I know, just last month we were soaring through the Elizabethan Era with Shakespeare, so this might feel a little...close to home! But trust me, even in the 21st century, ballet is thriving! It’s always been about more than just a pirouette, it’s about movement, expression, and story-telling.
I woke up this morning with a familiar fluttering in my stomach. Magic Meg, my beautiful pink sparkling Shire horse, with her golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, was already patiently waiting, ready to whisk me away to 2025. Today’s outfit was all about elegance and practicality, of course – a light pink tutu with shimmering pink lace embellishments, and a luxurious cashmere cardigan to keep me warm during the inevitable December chill. The pink leather rucksack, filled with my treasured notebooks for jotting down all my observations on the ballet scene of 2025, was already secured firmly on my back.
London: Where the Dance Lives On
Arriving in the heart of London, we made our way to the Royal Opera House, a glittering beacon of ballet history and modern innovation. I always make it a point to visit this beautiful space when travelling through time. 2025 sees the Royal Ballet celebrating a whole year of ballet - “The Year of the Ballerina” with performances by some of the greatest dancers in the world, celebrating female strength, athleticism and talent. There were tributes to legendary ballerinas from history like Pavlova and Fonteyn, and an array of modern creations showcasing female talent across the world. They are hosting A World of Ballet festival showcasing productions from renowned dance companies worldwide - how fantastic!
But that’s not all, the Royal Ballet is not the only one on the scene. I hear that Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Ballet are also on fire with thrilling programmes, and the dancers look simply divine. You can just imagine those stunning tutus on show!
The New Wave of Dance
What makes this year even more exciting is the rise of ballet-fusion – ballet taking its influence from diverse dance styles and traditions around the globe. This fusion creates a truly dynamic and vibrant scene, something truly magical to watch. I visited the Sadler’s Wells theatre this time, and was thrilled to witness a phenomenal show, fusing elements of contemporary ballet, hip hop and Indian classical dance! Such breathtaking artistry - the music, the movements, the storytelling - it was mesmerizing.
Finding the Spark in the Ordinary
While I may be smitten with the world-renowned stages of London, you don’t need to visit these big-city bastions of dance to enjoy its magic. Remember, every time we leave our houses and walk down the street, we walk among dance. We move, we sway, we groove! A simple act of kindness, a heartfelt moment of joy, can be interpreted as dance. It's everywhere. I even saw a delightful young boy, barely four years old, swirling his arms around like he was performing a beautiful grand jeté - I just knew, right then and there, I had to ask him to model for my next Pink Tutu collection! He looked utterly delightful in a blush pink tulle skirt, of course, perfectly coordinated with my new range of ballet slippers. I am convinced he’s going to be a future star!
My Pink Tutu Time Capsule
My journey back to my own time was bittersweet, always, I find myself a little sad to leave those new friends and beautiful creations behind. I collected a couple of items for my time capsule, some tickets to “The Year of the Ballerina”, a colourful flier for A World of Ballet festival, and even a pamphlet about a brand-new ballet company focusing on storytelling through movement. They're based in a quiet corner of London, offering ballet workshops for every age and skill level, aiming to introduce everyone to the joy of ballet - how truly fabulous! I love seeing those grassroots ballet communities thrive and continue the legacy of dance for the generations to come.
To New Adventures
As Magic Meg trotted back through time, with my pink tulle rustling gently against the wind, I thought of my mission - my little contribution to keeping ballet thriving for generations to come. You know what it is - to make everyone wear a pink tutu! We don’t all have to be professionals, darling dears! A touch of pink magic in our lives is always welcome!
Until next month, be sure to follow me at www.pink-tutu.com, or look out for our next post in a month’s time. Until then, dance on, my loves, and keep your spirits pink!
