Post #327
Hello my darling dancers, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! I’m your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here, ready to whisk you off on another fabulous journey through time.
Today, I'm taking Magic Meg, my shimmering pink Shire horse with the golden hooves and flowing white mane, back to the 3rd of March in 1688. Hold onto your tutus, darlings, as we prepare for a truly spectacular historical dance adventure!
Before we dive into the excitement, I've just got to show off my latest fashion find! I've been on the hunt for a new pink tutu to complement my travelling wardrobe, and stumbled upon a dream in a Derbyshire antique shop. It's a blush-pink, floaty creation, hand-stitched with the finest lace and silk ribbons. Just perfect for strolling through 17th-century London, wouldn't you say?
Right then, let's buckle up and hop onto Magic Meg!
Stepping Back in Time: 1688
Now, 1688 wasn't exactly known for its balletic breakthroughs. However, that doesn't mean we can't find some delightful threads in the tapestry of ballet history.
The French Academy of Dance, established in 1661, was already in full swing, laying the groundwork for the refined style that we associate with classical ballet. Choreographer and composer Jean-Baptiste Lully, the favoured artistic figure of the Sun King, Louis XIV, reigned supreme. But the royal court was filled with dance lovers of all levels and the stage buzzed with elaborate theatrical works featuring dance elements.
One can almost picture the elegance of those high-society ladies and gentlemen swirling gracefully across candlelit ballroom floors, their dance moves echoing the royal courtly manners. A lovely image, isn't it?
Now, while ballet was blossoming in France, the rest of Europe was caught in a swirl of social and political changes. King James II had been dethroned in England, ushering in a new era. The political landscape, ever turbulent, meant there wasn't much time for art or dancing. I do think that there was one rather remarkable ballet performance staged in London at Drury Lane, "The Royal Shepherddes," which seems to have made an impression - but sadly, no details survive!
We can’t always find elaborate and detailed ballet productions when we travel back to these earlier times, my loves. It's like putting together a puzzle from scattered pieces, but the beauty of ballet history lies in those very fragmented tales, whispered across the centuries.
Finding Pink and Filling my Rucksack
I love collecting little pieces of ballet history in my leather rucksack - a reminder of the glorious past that makes me want to spin and twirl with delight! Today's discoveries, my loves:
- A Rare Antique Dance Manual: I found a beautifully bound book in a dusty old bookstall in a London alleyway. This book, a dance manual of sorts, had simple sketches of dance movements. My precious, fragile relic!
- A Brocade Fan from The Royal Court: This isn't exactly a ballet-related find, but how stunning is this brocade fan with gold leaf detailing that I discovered at a royal manor outside of London? Perfect for adding a touch of regal grace to my performances!
- A Fragment of Ballet Shoes from the 16th Century: While not exactly from the 1600s, a shopkeeper at a stall in a busy marketplace let me look at a fascinating box of old artefacts that he'd unearthed near his shop in an older building. I couldn’t believe it - a pair of tiny leather ballet slippers, laced with silk ribbons. I didn't purchase it, for it must have been from a ballet dancer of the 16th century! I did give the poor man a good donation to help him protect the ancient artefact for history.
A Final Dance with Magic Meg:
And as our journey back to the present concludes, I'm leaving you with a few final thoughts to ponder, my lovely readers. The ballet of 1688 was about much more than just dance steps, wasn't it? It was about culture, elegance, social interaction, and even political intrigue. As I always say, ballet has been a part of history long before we called it “ballet." It’s the essence of storytelling, woven into every human step and every expressive gesture.
I encourage you all, to delve deeper into the history of dance, embrace its diversity and complexity, and allow it to transport you on journeys just as magical as mine.
As always, remember to keep your toes pointed, your smiles wide, and your tutus pink, and I'll see you for our next journey, on the 1st of April.
Yours always, in a flurry of pink and feathers, Emma xx
