Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my Pink Tutu Time Travel Blog! I'm Emma, your resident time-travelling ballerina from Derbyshire, and today I'm whisking you off to a dazzling December in 1684!
Grab your favourite pink tutu (I'm sporting a fluffy, feather-trimmed one today) and hop on Magic Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling Shire with golden hooves and a flowing white mane. We're in for a treat, darlings!
As I adjust my time-travelling apparatus (a special little charm I wear on my wrist), let me fill you in on the ballet scene of December 12th, 1684. Now, ballet wasn't as widely loved and understood as it is today, but it was starting to gain traction in court circles! Imagine, ladies, those powdered wigs and delicate fans, all the elegance of courtly life - oh, to have danced under those glittering chandeliers!
Imagine being at the court of Louis XIV! Oh my! I can practically smell the lilies and hear the clinking of goblets as the dancers twirl and leap. While ballet wasn't quite the institution it is today, it was certainly a popular pastime in France. And oh, the costumes! Think shimmering silks and velvet, tasseled shoes and glittering brooches - so stylish!
Speaking of fashion, I found an absolutely divine lace scarf in a dusty antique shop on my last trip to Paris. It was so delicate and beautiful, just the sort of accessory I'd wear with my favourite powder-pink tutu for a performance. You can see it on my Instagram, my dears, with a few pictures of me posing in front of the Louvre - such an iconic setting!
On this 12th of December, I was lucky enough to catch a performance of La Princesse de Navarre, a play with elaborate dance sequences. I learned that the playwright was actually Madame de Sévigné, a lady of letters and the daughter of an influential statesman. It’s so wonderful to discover these connections between history and ballet - there’s always so much to be learned!
But back to the dance, lovelies! La Princesse de Navarre featured some truly innovative movements - swirling waltzes, impressive jumps, and dramatic poses. I tucked a note into my leather rucksack for my ballet scrapbook, full of details about this intriguing ballet experience.
Today, my time travelling led me to the charming city of Bath, where I discovered the most captivating Georgian buildings. Can you picture my pink tutu fluttering through the streets, drawing eyes everywhere I go? And oh, the cobblestone streets - so quaint and charming!
Did you know that dancing is considered the highest form of social grace in Georgian times? A gentleman could show off his charm and prowess by inviting a lady to dance, and ladies would even showcase their breeding through their elegance on the dance floor. Oh my! I must try and visit Bath at the height of the Georgian social season next year, what a spectacle it must be!
Speaking of the height of things, the Royal Ballet is set to unveil a magnificent new production of Giselle next month! Can you imagine the intricate costumes, the sweeping music, and the graceful storytelling? I am positively beside myself with excitement! You can be sure I'll be purchasing my tickets right away and posting an update on my blog when I attend.
You see, lovelies, time travelling for ballet isn’t all about studying history, it’s also about celebrating the magic of dance. It’s about feeling the thrill of a soaring leap, the emotion of a poignant adagio, and the joy of expressing ourselves through movement. It's about embracing our femininity and allowing ourselves to twirl and be carefree, to enjoy the beautiful world around us!
I always like to finish my blogs with a touch of fashion, darling, and a thought-provoking question! Since this time-travel adventure was a whirlwind of fashion and performance, I wanted to ask you, my darling readers: Which ballet costume inspires you the most? What pieces are on your list of must-have ballerina looks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media to keep up with all my adventures! And for those who want to support my journey through time (it’s not cheap, darlings!), I am currently accepting donations at www.pink-tutu.com to ensure Magic Meg is fuelled up and ready for the next grand adventure!
See you all next month, with new discoveries and pink tutus aplenty!
Until then, keep on twirling, lovelies!
Emma x
