Hello, darlings! It’s Emma, your time-travelling tutu-wearing friend, here for another month’s edition of Pink-Tutu Time Travels! This month, my beautiful Magic Meg (that's her name, darlings, because she is quite magical!) and I are taking a little trip back to March 3rd, 1698. It’s my 447th time travel, can you believe it? Every month, I whisk us away on a little adventure to a date in ballet history, and gather up treasures for the www.pink-tutu.com archive. I adore bringing those bits of ballet magic back and sharing them with all of you!
The Dance is On!
Okay, imagine if you will, the year 1698… In France, the lovely Queen Marie Leczinska was only just 7 years old - a princess full of youthful energy just about to blossom! Across the channel, the brilliant Sir Isaac Newton had already done some ground-breaking work with calculus (my head swims thinking about it, even my trusty vintage pink tutu wouldn't survive all that!). This year is the year of my favourite subject, ballet!
So, March 3rd, 1698... Now, imagine the atmosphere. In a grand theater, ladies all decked out in silks and satins, sparkling with jewels and diamonds, waiting for a very special occasion - a grand royal ballet! You bet we are going to this one, Magic Meg and I, so get ready, darlings! This time, we’re about to witness an iconic "Ballet de Cour" , a true celebration of courtly splendour and dramatic beauty. It was quite a prestigious affair. Just thinking about it makes my heart flutter like a feather caught in a whirlwind. The atmosphere, the fashion, the beauty… Oh my! I can almost hear the delicate thrumming of the strings as the dance commences, a sound as delicate as the lace trim on my new tutu.
The Dance is For Me?
It’s true that back in 1698, the dance floor belonged exclusively to the nobility. That hasn't changed much now, except it is in the West End. Now the Royal Ballet School can't give them away. But don’t despair! I just use my special time travel powers, don my fabulous pink tutu, and slip right into that exclusive world. It’s always been my aim to share this magical world of dance, with everyone, from the humblest of us to the royalest of souls!
Why is my tutu pink? You ask? Well, my darling, I'm going to be honest with you... The idea was that a ballet girl should never appear on the stage in the same colour as the audience, and what's better than a bold pink, bright and elegant in equal measure!
And Speaking Of Ballet …
March 3rd, 1698, was the day of "The Grand Royal Ballet"! Imagine an extravaganza with elegant court dancers dressed in shimmering costumes, a kaleidoscope of movement against a backdrop of elaborate scenery, a display of power and grace and joy! Just imagining the steps sends shivers down my spine. It is truly inspiring.
Can You Imagine The Costumes?
For this particular royal ballet, I am thinking about the elaborate costume for "The Ballet de Cour"! These are truly magnificent garments - the grand gowns are embroidered and beaded, feathers and tulle billowing around. Then there are the men in their breeches and wigs – and I’m not sure which is wilder! They remind me a little of "Les Misérables" or a costume drama from a regency romance film!
Of course, my vintage, handmade pink tutu wouldn’t be out of place here - in fact, the elaborate detail of a modern tutu with layers of soft net and netting, would fit right into the elegant era! And when I travel back through time, Magic Meg knows she has to put in a few hours grooming before I'll even consider leaving the stables.
Travel Back With Me…
Oh darling, do you fancy a trip? A special travel discount to 1698 on the 3rd of March? Imagine for a second, stepping into a historical tableau of a royal court, witnessing history unfold! I hope to see you on my next blog post, darlings, with all of you joining in to create your own Pink Tutu History moments, and I am ready to inspire you!
And now I shall dash off – there are plenty of pink ballet shoes to be cleaned and, after all, the grand stage of 1698 awaits, with all its glitz, glamour, and gorgeousness, all for my very special pink tutu!
Yours In Time Travel (and in pink tutus),
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
*Don’t forget, darlings, you can find all of the Pink Tutu Time Travel archives on the website - and share your very own time-travelling adventures with us. We are so ready to see what treasures and pink tutus you bring back! And remember, our mantra - “Get everyone in a pink tutu!" *
