Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-wearing time traveller. As always, I'm buzzing to share my latest adventure with you, especially as it's a bit of a biggie! This time I've found myself right back in the heart of Paris, back in the day. No, it's not just any day, oh no! It's June 6th, 1681 – the very date of the world's first Ballet Comique performance. Imagine, darling, being in the audience for that?!
Now, just to let you all in on a little secret… you know my faithful companion, Magic Meg? She’s got a certain sparkle about her – well, let’s just say the pink magic dust kicked in during our last performance and poof! – we landed smack dab in the middle of a Parisian cobbled street, with Magic Meg's hooves making those oh-so-lovely ‘clip-clop’ sounds.
It was an amazing moment! Honestly, just the vibe of 17th-century Paris, the way the streetlamps flickered… Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, darlings, I even felt the atmosphere change. Suddenly the air became perfumed – a heady blend of rosewater and sandalwood! You see, the city was all about style back then – think elaborate powdered wigs, high heels, and lots of luxurious fabric! I'd love to go shopping back then for an entire wardrobe… my gosh! The sheer finery!
It was almost an overwhelming feeling, darlings! However, being the adventurous gal that I am, I decided I needed to see everything, I had to see what made this date in history so monumental, even for a ballet nut like myself! It was all about this incredible theatre show called the Ballet Comique!
Just imagine the scene – everyone dressed to the nines, ladies wearing panniers so enormous, even Magic Meg found it hard to get past, and the gentlemen with their elegant swords! My imagination was running wild! Oh, and speaking of imagination, this wasn’t just any old dance performance – this ballet, this Ballet Comique, was groundbreaking. I'm not talking just about dancing – I'm talking music, drama, and lavish scenery. It was everything the art world was craving, darlings – a total artistic feast!
I could see right away the energy was electric – there was excitement in the air! Even before the music started. But as soon as that grand symphony soared through the hall, everyone just became the performance. And let’s talk costumes… oh darling, just picture it! I'm talking swirling silks, sparkling jewels – everything shimmered and danced with light, just like the performance!
It was magical! Imagine how the ballerinas must have felt in their exquisitely crafted costumes, with plumes and feathers… My heart was just overflowing with joy, darlings, you won’t believe, but I actually had to catch one of the dancers during an interval – it’s not every day you meet a ballerina from 1681. And can you believe she'd even heard about our Derbyshire – she loved the sounds of the local folk dances! My goodness! Now I have to return to the 1600s to see one! I asked her about what she felt like in the dress – well, you won't believe this - she just said she swallowed the stage with her gown! You know me – gotta love those little pearls of wisdom…
Well, you won’t believe the stories I’ve packed into my backpack. A couple of lace trim patterns, some gorgeous feather and silk scraps… Oh, and a whole book about all things fashion and costumes! That is one amazing prize for my backpack, darlings – not forgetting my personal ballet costume collection back home, but hey, more always means better!
You know, darling, this visit reminded me just how much the art of ballet evolves over time. Just think: it all started back then, in those stunning theatres – a simple concept, full of emotions that echoed through centuries, right to our stages today.
Oh, my little lovelies, if this trip hasn't given you an absolute yearning to dance in the sunshine, with a dazzling pink tutu and sparkling heels, then nothing will! It's a day to cherish, my sweet darlings! Let’s give a huge round of applause for our amazing pioneers who have been making history since those glorious 17th-century times.
Keep a look out next month, darlings, when I'll share with you what a wonderful ballet costume store in a dusty attic held. The treasures I unearthed... well, let’s just say I had my work cut out for me choosing the best! Until then, happy twirling and dancing… from your favourite tutu-fied time-traveller!
Emma. www.pink-tutu.com
