Hello darlings! Emma here, back from another fabulous trip through time. This month, I travelled back to June 6th, 1686, and oh my, what a day it was! Buckle up, my lovelies, for you’re about to journey with me to the heart of French court life!
Let’s be honest, pink is practically always fashionable. But there's something special about pink in the 17th century. Just imagine yourself – a beautiful, regal lady in layers of delicate silks and satins, the pale pink of your bodice contrasting with the rich blue of your skirt, the sparkle of diamonds reflecting off your powdered wig – absolute perfection! This was the era of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and pink was all the rage in his lavish court!
The journey was exhilarating as always, my faithful steed Magic Meg carrying me across the centuries on her pink-sparkling, golden-hooved wings. We landed in a bustling courtyard, with beautiful manicured gardens framing a grand château, the sun casting long, golden shadows on the scene. What a sight!
Speaking of gardens, I was quite shocked by how much of French dance in this era actually happened outdoors. No fancy theatre halls just yet! It's truly beautiful to picture graceful movements set against the backdrop of blooming flowers and sparkling fountains, especially for a pink tutu devotee like me. It gives ballet a very different kind of air. I even found an early reference to "Ballet à la Française", which I shall have to read up on in more detail. This, I believe, would have been quite different from our ballet classique.
You’re probably wondering what exactly I did on this adventure? Well, being in Versailles, I had to make an appearance at court. Can you imagine wearing a pink tutu, a cloud of chiffon, as I danced into the throne room of Louis XIV himself? The opulence, the grandeur – pure spectacle! He had many famous dancers at his court and he really loved his ballet! Think: gorgeous costumes, lavish sets, a very, very important King watching closely… what a privilege.
Afterward, I was so delighted to witness the commedia dell'arte – such wonderful drama and comedy! My goodness, it was funny and I’ve always been a fan of mascarades and disguises. If the story goes back to Roman comedy and the world of slapstick, then it's right up my alley. The play I saw involved Harlequin – a colourful character that looks like he has stepped straight out of a painting, very ‘1686’ indeed, complete with colourful costume and a diamond-studded mask!
The story involved a misunderstanding and so much clever, humorous improvisation. My leather rucksack now has a lovely script, full of slight mistakes that only an actor can understand! You can be sure that when I get home, I'll try it out at a ballet class – there’s nothing better than adding a touch of comedy into the movements!
It's quite a remarkable experience, looking back at the roots of our favourite art form. It makes me think – when I look out at my own audiences, they're experiencing the very best of ballet, the art form refined and perfected by centuries of dedication! It’s an incredibly rich history, my dears, and there's always more to discover!
Don't forget to catch me at Pink Tutu Ballet, the local theatre production this month. I’ll be playing Juliet – in, of course, my very own, pink tutu. It will be a spectacle! And, don’t forget, Pink-Tutu.com is full of exciting new finds and historical ballet discoveries every month! Keep shining and spreading the love of ballet!
Love and light,
Emma xxx
