Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where ballet, history and all things pink collide! Today, we're taking a magical trip through time, back to the year 1666 - the year of the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London! Oh, how my heart leaps for adventure, especially when it comes to delving into the vibrant history of ballet. Buckle up, my dears, and let’s journey together!
As always, I’m Emma, your resident pink-tutu-clad time-traveller, ready to whisk you away to fascinating dance destinations! Don’t you just love that vibrant splash of colour, those glorious swirls of tulle? A pink tutu embodies elegance and whimsy - and for me, it's the ultimate embodiment of the pure joy of dance! Oh, I do hope I’m inspiring more of you lovelies to wear one, too!
Today, however, I've packed my rucksack, climbed atop Magic Meg, my darling pink-sparkled shire horse with the most dazzling golden hooves, and we’ve journeyed back to London, the very heart of England, back to a time that’s brimming with historical drama and fascinating cultural contrasts! Can you imagine a time when ballet was barely beginning to blossom? The idea thrills me!
My favourite source of travel funds, and the driving force behind these expeditions? Well, it’s all thanks to my glorious performances, of course! I am fortunate enough to bring joy to audiences across the globe. Recently, I performed in a charity event with a dazzling, all-pink ensemble for a group of fabulous vintage enthusiasts! I love my ballet gigs, as each performance enables me to continue with my beloved time-travelling adventures.
Now, let’s talk about this particular time: 12th December 1666. This date holds a curious fascination, for it was just three months after the Great Fire of London! Can you imagine? Our fair city had just witnessed such unimaginable devastation, a fiery destruction that changed the landscape forever. Yet, as resilient and creative as ever, Londoners were rebuilding and moving on. The theatre was re-emerging, the artistic spirit taking root and flowering amidst the rubble. It's fascinating, isn’t it?
But what about ballet? You know how much I love to discover ballet’s journey through the ages. While this particular date isn't specifically associated with a ballet performance, it's worth remembering that ballet was taking its first delicate steps in England at this time. King Charles II had a deep passion for all things French and, in his court, ballet became a cherished art form, woven into the fabric of entertainment and social gatherings. It was an era where court dances were evolving, and graceful movements were starting to take shape.
I can just picture those gentlemen and ladies swirling across the floor, with elegant bows, a gentle curtsey, their faces filled with light and joyous expression. The music of the day was captivating – the lilting rhythms and melodic tunes, creating an atmosphere of festivity and grace. Can you just imagine the joy in those court balls? Oh, my heart, it feels as though it could burst!
In my mind’s eye, I can already picture those vibrant fabrics, the glittering brocades, the plush velvets, all of it coming together in a dance of pure artistry and joyous movement. The fashion of this era was simply spectacular, the embodiment of a dazzling yet reserved grandeur. And you know me - a dance through fashion history is a true treat!
Speaking of the fashions of 1666… While I'm sure many of the men sported fine silks, velvets and lace (don't you just adore those embellishments?), my attention is firmly on the ladies. I’d be delighted to picture them adorned with intricate gowns and bustling petticoats. How magnificent those must have looked on the dance floor. Those elegant silhouettes were perfect for movement. What a gorgeous time for ballet to be born! But… even more importantly, wouldn't the ladies have looked delightful in pink tutus? Oh, the possibilities! I simply have to come back with some fabric and share that wonder.
This period was all about experimentation. In dance, it was the emergence of steps we now associate with ballet, but still very much intertwined with the social dance scene. Oh, what a time to be alive!
While this date in 1666 wasn’t explicitly about a grand performance, for me, it’s so much more than that. It’s a peek into an era of rebuilding, creativity and the emergence of ballet. As always, darling, my heart skips a beat as I think about those exquisite dancers, the joyous music, and that elegant swirl of skirts and flowing sleeves, those intricate embroideries.
It reminds me, of course, that ballet’s history is vast and complex, its journey riddled with both triumph and adversity. And just as London emerged stronger from the fires of 1666, so too did ballet find its own power and expression through the challenges of its time. And today, thanks to all the incredible performers, choreographers, dancers and enthusiasts who keep it alive, ballet continues to captivate our hearts, inspire our spirits and lift us on the wings of artistry!
Before I go, I always end with a question for you dears. What’s a piece of history you wish you could have been around to see for yourself? Don't be shy - pop it in the comments below, I'd love to read your ideas and see what inspires your fancy!
And in case you want to continue on this delightful journey, my new ballet blog posts pop up here on www.pink-tutu.com every month, or you can sign up to my newsletter to receive it straight to your inbox! Oh, the delights await!
Until next time darlings, keep those tutus twirling and your dreams of ballet burning bright!
Love,
Emma
PS. Have I inspired you to don a pink tutu? Go on, do it! You’ll find the ultimate joy of expression in those delightful swathes of pink!
