Hello fellow ballet lovers!
It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina with a penchant for pink tutus and a serious passion for all things ballet, even if it involves leaping through time! Today, I’m taking you back to December 12th, 1696. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and get ready for some historical ballet magic!
My journey to 17th Century England started, as usual, on my beautiful Magic Meg – my trusty steed who, by the way, just looks so magnificent in her sparkly pink tack. She even matches my new tutu, which I’ll be wearing to the ballet in just a few weeks – the one with the ruffles and pink sequins! But more on that later, back to my time travels…
This trip took me straight to the heart of London. You know, back in the day, London was a much smaller place, so getting around was actually quite easy for Meg. No traffic jams for us! I arrived at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which back then was basically the main stage for everything theatrical – plays, operas, and of course, ballets!
And let me tell you, it was quite the sight. It wasn’t as grand as the Royal Opera House today, but it was still bustling with energy and excitement. Everyone dressed in their finest attire – think powdered wigs, ruffled shirts, and gorgeous dresses with long, flowing skirts, just like the ballerinas I would imagine performing back then. I couldn't resist adding a couple of silk handkerchiefs and some lace trimmings from a nearby market stall to my rucksack. These are sure to look perfect on a pink tutu, wouldn’t you say?
My main aim this trip? To witness the dancing! I found out, from a charming chap dressed in velvet breeches, that there was a ballet performance scheduled for that very night! The highlight of the evening, apparently, was the French ballet master, Mr. Blondy. He was renowned for his graceful choreography and amazing dancing. Imagine! Just picturing those beautiful poses and fluid movements… makes me want to get back to the studio right now.
This ballet, however, wasn't exactly the “ballet” as we know it today. It was much more like a mix of intricate dances, with lots of dramatic poses and theatrics. This kind of ballet, what we would call "court ballet," really set the stage (no pun intended) for all the amazing styles we see now, from classical ballet to the more contemporary styles. And you know what? It gave me some truly inspiring ideas for my own routines.
After a delicious dinner of a whole roasted chicken and some rather nice asparagus - a perfect 17th-century meal – it was time for the big show. The Theatre Royal was packed with guests, their excited chatter mixing with the lively sounds of the orchestra tuning up. As the music started and the curtains went up, the scene unfolded – it was magical! I was particularly mesmerised by Mr. Blondy, who danced with such effortless grace and precision, like he was born to be on that stage.
He wasn't just dancing for entertainment though, you know. Ballet was a big part of royal life in those days. You could even say that ballet was as much a social occasion as an artistic one. People would come not only to see the performance, but to mingle with the most influential figures of the day.
As the evening drew to a close, I was inspired and full of ideas. Not only did I collect some stunning original sheet music, a hand-drawn ballet costume sketch from a talented student of the French Academy (it's going to look fabulous on a pink tutu, believe me), but the evening sparked a thought…
Should we be thinking about our ballet performances in more "social" ways, bringing people together, and building community? After all, that's what ballet is really about – connection, passion, and artistry! It's the perfect opportunity for people of all backgrounds and ages to come together, share in the magic of movement and experience a moment of pure joy.
Speaking of pure joy, don't forget to check out my website for the latest on my ballet fashion line – we're working on some amazing pieces with some truly beautiful details. If you're dreaming of having your own fabulous pink tutu, stay tuned for more exciting announcements!
Until next time, my lovely ballet enthusiasts, keep dancing and let's work towards making this world a little bit more pink!
Lots of twirls and glittery hugs, Emma 🩰 www.pink-tutu.com
