Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time travelling ballerina! Welcome to another installment of my ballet-infused journey through history, this time whisking us back to the 1st of January, 1688!
Now, 1688 isn’t necessarily the first thing that springs to mind when thinking about ballet, is it? But as always, dear readers, there's always something captivating about the world of dance, no matter the time or place!
This time, I'm feeling very excited because, thanks to my gorgeous, sparkly pink Shire horse, Magic Meg, we’re going to be galloping through history right alongside the iconic King James II of England! And trust me, there's going to be some major drama brewing on this particular day!
The Year of The Revolution
I’m standing on a cobbled street in London, and the air crackles with excitement! It’s the start of a brand new year, and England is about to get its first taste of the glorious, exhilarating "Glorious Revolution!"
Now, we all know that kings and queens aren’t usually renowned for their fondness of tutus. In fact, back in 1688, a real tutu would’ve been more akin to a flowing dress than the beautiful short skirts we wear today! However, in my pink tutu and with my trusty, iridescent rucksack by my side, I'm ready to discover just how ballet might have been woven into the very fabric of life back then.
Dancing Under A Revolutionary Sky
Of course, while I was mesmerized by the idea of being present for a revolutionary upheaval, it wouldn’t be a true time travel adventure without the ballet! So, with Magic Meg’s glistening pink hooves carrying us through the London streets, we headed towards the most prestigious dancing theatre of the day - The Theatre Royal Drury Lane. It was already a haven for both the noble and the everyday to see stunning, elaborate ballets that showed off the dancers’ skill and strength, but it was also undergoing some exciting changes!
You see, this January day marked a pivotal moment in the history of English ballet, and in the life of The Theatre Royal itself! The first day of 1688 marked the arrival of Thomas Betterton, one of the most celebrated actors in England, who, after a lifetime performing at The Theatre Royal, became its manager. Now, with the theatre embracing innovation under Thomas' leadership, I could almost see the sparks flying in the stagelights. And those sparks of change meant one thing: Ballet would continue to evolve!
Seeking Out The Ballet Fashion of 1688
As I entered the Theatre Royal, a hush fell over the audience, with everyone craning their necks to watch the magnificent ballerinas. Now, while we know that ballet back then didn’t yet involve the spectacular ‘petit allegro’ and dazzling ‘pirouette en dehors’ that I perform with Magic Meg, the elegance and poise were certainly present!
The most fashionable ballerinas were decked out in shimmering gowns with flowing skirts, and even in these early days, a strong emphasis on dramatic costuming set the scene for these grand spectacles! I felt a thrill, seeing these historical inspirations for the tutus we know and love today! And, of course, I whipped out my rucksack and quickly filled its pockets with lace ribbons and satin scraps, remembering that I simply had to recreate these dazzling 17th century gowns in my own style!
* Ballet Through The Lens of A Revolutionary King*
And what of King James II? Well, his reign had just reached a turbulent moment with whispers of discontent circulating in his court. And, oh darling, do you know how he used ballet to help with those troubles? The King held special ‘ball' gatherings, not to just celebrate his royal status, but to unite people with grace and elegance - a kind of diplomatic dance! I wonder if the people in his court loved ballet as much as I do?
A Timeless Love for Dance
While King James' fate wasn't exactly rosy - in fact, he would be forced to flee by the end of the year! - I loved my time travel through the 1st of January, 1688. It wasn’t just about witnessing an intense revolution; it was about celebrating the timelessness of ballet - the elegance, the expression, the artistry! Even though their world was incredibly different, dance held its captivating power even back in 1688, connecting audiences then as it does now.
Time To Shop!
Time to gallop back to Derbyshire, Magic Meg! It’s been a whirlwind of historical fascination, and now I have the perfect excuse to raid the antique shops for a little something ‘Revolutionary’ for my ballet wardrobe. After all, it’s a ballerina’s duty to look as chic as possible when it comes to exploring the dance history, even through time travel!
Oh, and dear readers, please do let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions for your favourite historical dates, whether they have to do with ballet or not, that you'd love to see me journey through! My magic horse Meg and I are always excited to explore!
Now, time to dust off my pink tutu and embrace the day…I wouldn't want to miss my next ballet class in Derbyshire! Until next month, darling readers!
XOXO, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
