Hello, lovelies! Emma here, back from another extraordinary time travel adventure, and ready to share all the sparkly details with you on www.pink-tutu.com. This month's journey took me right back to the 17th Century, to August 8th, 1686 to be exact. I'm already feeling those exciting twirls from this one - oh my, there was so much history swirling around me!
My loyal steed, the magnificent Magic Meg, with her golden hooves and glistening mane, neigh-ed her readiness as always. Her pink, shimmering saddlecloth caught the Derbyshire moonlight, and I donned my favourite bubblegum pink tutu. It was the perfect match for the bustling energy of the Royal Court of King James II, where we landed!
First things first, I have to confess: this was my first time travel experience into a world without ballet! Shocking, I know! Can you believe there was no Swan Lake, no Nutcracker, no anything graceful and flowing?! Well, at least not like the beautiful art form we know and love today. But this just made me all the more determined to spread the ballet love through time.
History, A Little Different.
This 1686 was busy, let me tell you! It was a pivotal time in English history, with lots of political upheaval. I learned so much in the library - King James II had just given the first charter to Trinity College, Dublin! Can you believe? That kind of learning really puts my dancing into perspective. I was all about observing the grandeur of the royal court.
There was so much fashion inspiration! Ladies were flaunting massive wigs, luxurious silk gowns, and feathers aplenty. It reminded me of a beautiful, ornate dance, except the ladies themselves couldnât move in their stiff bodices and heavy skirts. Imagine trying to pirouette like that! I added several snippets of 17th-century fashion into my ballet notebook for later inspiration, though. Maybe a dance piece about court life?!
But back to the pink. There wasnât much of it around! People were stuck with muted blues and browns for clothing. It reminded me that fashion was much about the elegance and formality of the era, unlike today, where colour reigns supreme. I actually saw a man in purple silk and wondered what it would take to get him into pink!
I imagine I may have startled a few people with my bright tutu as I walked, my pink ribbon shoes flashing beneath my skirts. Even back then, it was quite clear I would do anything to bring pink into the spotlight, one tutu-ful step at a time!
Seeking the Soul of Ballet
The lack of a formal ballet tradition, at that time, made me feel a bit lost. But, the lack of the art form didn't mean there was no expression of the idea of ballet.
There were theatrical dances in the plays of the period at Drury Lane, London, for example. Even if they werenât the precise ballets I know and love, I thought, âOkay, so ballet's still an evolution, not just something that happens overnight. The concept of telling stories through movements was already brewing, even back then!â
What struck me, though, was that theatre was an intimate experience - a different level of engagement with the performers compared to the massive performances we see now. It makes me wonder if audiences really experienced those small moments more intensely - or did they feel disappointed in the performance because it wasn't a giant, epic spectacle like today? Maybe it all depends on your perspective? It did spark a new level of respect for the storytelling art of ballets past.
Royal Court - It's Always a Show!
While there wasnât ballet on stage, the Royal Court was like its own theatrical production. Imagine my delight when I saw King James II in his royal regalia - the grand ceremonial outfits and dramatic flourishes of the court reminded me of a ballet in motion.
My pink tutu, however, did stand out in that courtly setting. Everyone's eye, even royalty, followed my twirling and swaying. And for those wondering, I did sneak in a quick rehearsal of a grand pas de deux in the opulent garden. Magic Meg provided a willing audience, even if the deer did find it a bit unsettling.
You see, even when balletâs not exactly happening in its more formal sense, the spirit of dance is everywhere! From a theatrical stage to a royal garden to my little time travels, the soul of ballet is an unquenchable spark - the desire to move, to create stories with motion, to be a beautiful creature. That, Iâve learned, is an aspect of the art that transcends time.
Back to the Future - With Lessons Learned
I must admit, I was relieved to be back in Derbyshire, where ballet shows are in abundance. It made me realize that each ballet period in history has its own magic that's waiting to be uncovered!
While this trip didn't offer the spectacle I usually encounter in the history of ballet, it provided me with a vital new perspective. Every trip teaches me about the evolution of dance and the strength of the soul of ballet. The magic is in discovering how ballet continues to transform itself across the ages.
As for spreading the pink tutu love, it feels like my mission is only getting started. From the historical grandeur of 1686 to our world full of incredible shows and performances, I see how it's a reminder to appreciate the moments and celebrate every expression of dance. Every graceful move, every powerful gesture, every sparkly tutu, makes a statement!
What kind of impact would you want to have on the world of ballet? How would your pink tutu story play out?
Donât forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com, where youâll find all the pink and sparkly ballets to satisfy your artistic needs. Stay curious, and keep on twirling,
Your pink tutu princess,
Emma!
