Hey, tutu lovers! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, back with another exciting adventure! October is already in full swing, and I can feel the magic of ballet swirling around me. But before we delve into this month's ballet discoveries, let me ask: have you embraced the pink tutu yet? Because I'm on a mission to make this iconic garment a global trend, one dance at a time! 🩰 💖
This month, I’ve hopped aboard Magic Meg, my pink-sparkling Shire with the golden hooves and magnificent white mane and tail, and travelled all the way back to 1674! Yes, folks, it's true. We went back in time to discover what the world of ballet looked like 350 years ago, and let me tell you, it was simply divine!
But first, let's talk about the journey itself. My trusty leather rucksack is packed, ready to hold the treasure trove of ballet history I'm about to uncover. Riding through the centuries on Meg's back, with the wind whipping my pink tulle, always feels magical. It's like stepping into one of those breathtaking ballet stories you see in the theatre. I swear, the air crackles with anticipation, like before a grand pas de deux!
Speaking of theatres, our first stop was… wait for it… drumroll... the Theatre Royal Drury Lane! Can you believe it? We arrived just as they were setting up for a performance by the King’s Company. This was truly a theatrical experience! It’s so fascinating to imagine the people in this period coming to see such exquisite performances, even if they looked vastly different than the shows we know and love today!
The year 1674 was a busy one for theatre lovers. This year, for example, saw the premiere of Thomas D'Urfey’s opera The Siege of Memphis (a big hit in its time!). Even though this wasn't ballet in the true sense, these operas contained so many balletic elements that you simply had to experience the full effect!
Speaking of full effect, just imagine a full production at Drury Lane with singers, dancers, and even actors all involved, a spectacle that had to be quite dramatic. Now, picture it all happening on a bare wooden stage, using simple backdrops! How's that for creative ingenuity?
Ballet in the Court
As we rode through London on Meg, I couldn’t help but feel a bit like Cinderella heading to the ball! Now, you wouldn't find the King's company performing at an elaborate ball like you might in a fairytale, but, believe it or not, courtly dances were still an incredibly important part of high society in 1674.
Court dancing back then wasn’t just a way to entertain oneself. It was an important part of the social and political scene. In fact, a lady's skill in a minuet could easily make or break her social standing! It was even rumoured that all royal dances were created specifically for King Charles II and his queen, which is a truly incredible insight into the power of art in the court!
Dress Up and Dance:
Now, back to that iconic pink tutu! My lovely ballerina colleagues today might laugh if they saw the fashion of court dances back in the day. Imagine floor-length skirts, elegant bustles, and plenty of intricate adornments. The clothes might have been dramatic, but the movements, which involved grand and elegant gestures, had a decidedly different approach than the ballet I know and love. But here's a fun fact: women did start using tight bodices under those lavish garments. Hmmm, this already sounds familiar, right? It's a great little snippet of how ballet history continues to evolve!
My Top Ballet Takeaways From 1674
I love travelling back through time, especially when it comes to exploring the history of ballet! The year 1674 might be considered ancient by today's standards, but I truly believe there are many important lessons from that era that we can still learn from.
- Always look beyond the surface! Although the 1674 style of dance may have looked different, its focus on movement and graceful artistry is something I hold very dear as a ballet enthusiast.
- Dance is always more than just an artform! It is deeply entwined with social structures and customs. In a world as strict and regimented as 17th century England, a dancer’s skill represented an incredible accomplishment.
- Be brave and experiment! The early stages of dance, especially within the royal court, required a willingness to break free of convention and try new things. After all, those beautiful court dances did not materialize out of thin air, but instead evolved through constant experimentation!
Embracing the Pink Tutu Revolution
I may be a bit of a dreamer, but I firmly believe that with a little pink tutu magic, anything is possible. So next time you’re at the ballet or twirling around at home, why not give yourself a boost by wearing a pink tutu? It’s a reminder of the history and the beautiful journey of dance – both in 1674 and today!
Stay tuned for my next time travel adventure, ballet enthusiasts! Who knows where I’ll go, and what dance treasures I will unearth? I can’t wait to share it all with you, on the next edition of Pink Tutu Travels.
*Until then, remember: Every spin, every leap, is a chance to create your own ballet story. Keep dancing, keep dreaming, keep shining bright in your pink tutus! *💖 ✨
Emma, Your Ballet Time Traveller
www.pink-tutu.com
