Hello, darling dancers! It's Emma here, and I'm bursting with excitement to share another magical time travel escapade! Buckle up, my lovelies, because today we're venturing back to the year 1695, specifically to the 12th of December. Can you even imagine the incredible ballet history we're about to uncover? 💖
I hopped on my fabulous steed, Magic Meg (the most stunning pink, sparkling Shire horse with a mane and tail of spun white silk and golden hooves – seriously, she's a total vision!), and whisked myself back in time. The air crackled with anticipation, and the cobbled streets of London were alive with activity. Can you believe it's been almost 330 years since this day unfolded? Talk about a bit of a time warp, right? 🕰️
My trusty leather rucksack, filled with my latest ballet finds, was slung over my shoulder as I glided through the bustling crowds. A touch of my iconic pink tulle peeked out from beneath my elegant frock coat, and as I strutted with confidence, I couldn't help but imagine how much joy and grace I would spread in this fascinating world. ✨
My journey led me to the grand Drury Lane Theatre, where the legendary The History of the Rebellion and Defeating the Pretender, a play with strong political leanings, was currently dominating the stage. This incredible drama told the tale of King William III's defeat of James II, who was vying for the throne. 👑 Can you imagine the grandeur of the play in that magnificent, historic theatre? I felt such an immense connection to the past and the historical significance of this theatre. After all, it's widely recognized as one of the oldest surviving theaters in England and plays such a crucial part in theatre history, and, indeed, ballet history.
While we didn't get a performance of The History of the Rebellion and Defeating the Pretender in the time-traveling fashion, my imagination danced. 🩰 I could visualize the captivating storytelling, the raw emotions of the actors, and the rich costumes they'd have worn. Even without a full ballet performance, there was an undeniable air of artistic grandeur around the entire theatre experience. 🎭
*Now, let's rewind back a little to understand why a trip to December 1695 would be so important to the world of ballet! *
It was around this time, back in the 17th Century, that ballet began to flourish and gain serious popularity as a form of entertainment. It moved away from being just a spectacle performed at court gatherings. It actually transitioned to more formal presentations on stages within theaters, just like that impressive Drury Lane! 🙌
From those very beginnings, the evolution of ballet has been nothing short of miraculous. And as a lifelong lover of all things ballet, exploring its origins with every new time-travel journey I take is an absolute dream come true! 💖
Now, as my time in 1695 came to a close, I made a stop at a local bakery. They didn't have a Pink Lady apple there, but a local treat called "a bannock," (kind of like a simple, baked, flour cake). I tucked into one of these for my tea (don't worry, Magic Meg has some delicious sugar cubes from a previous trip – those sparkly golden hooves don't come from just anywhere!) with some of the townsfolk and told them a little about the incredible world of ballet in the 21st century. My favourite ballerina's, The Royal Ballet in Covent Garden and so many of our incredibly talented stars around the globe! They were amazed! Imagine trying to explain what a fouetté or a pas de bourrée is to someone living in the 17th century! They definitely felt a little jealous that they didn't get the chance to watch a beautiful contemporary ballet show! 💃
Time is like a dancer herself – it gracefully slips away, and soon it was time for me to depart 1695. With a twirl of my pink tutu and a happy "bonjour" to everyone I'd met (thank goodness for those early forms of languages that mean nearly the same!), Magic Meg and I gracefully whisked ourselves back to our time, full of excitement to share our adventures and inspire everyone with a little bit of the magic and joy of dance. 💖
Of course, I was so delighted to discover what people were watching in the theatres back in 1695 - especially as The History of the Rebellion and Defeating the Pretender seems like a dramatic performance - something that may well resonate in the present day as a way of showcasing how we think and react to our own world, and political climates. The fact this play was also very topical and related to the King is just amazing. I'm always struck by how our current society and how we relate to our world really mirrors the past, in many ways! 🎭 What incredible and complex times people lived in!
Now, what will you be up to, darling dancers, on the 12th of December? Maybe a visit to the local theatre for some fantastic dance? Or even a little shopping for a pink tutu to spread some joy wherever you go?
I encourage you all to try and step outside of the ordinary and find the magic within every moment. Why not even plan a special dance night for you and your friends on the 12th of December and just make it a truly wonderful celebration!
Keep dancing and remember, love and beauty will always find its way back to the dance floor! 🩰
Love, Emma 💕
Don't forget, you can keep up with my incredible time-traveling adventures and the wonders of ballet history on our beloved www.pink-tutu.com! 🎀 I'm here to bring a sprinkle of pink tutu magic to every corner of the world – join me! 💕
