Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! This month, I'm whisking you away on a truly dazzling adventure back to the year 1707, a time when pink ruled the court of the Sun King himself – Louis XIV of France. Now, you all know my passion for pink – it's like a whispered promise of grace and elegance, and a perfect colour to wear as a ballerina, wouldn't you agree? But imagine being at the pinnacle of fashionable society in 1707! Think bouffant wigs, elaborate lace ruffles, and dresses so grand they’d require a whole team of ladies-in-waiting to help you put them on! Pink was THE colour, darlings!
Speaking of grand displays, we must start with Magic Meg. She's ready, her sparkling pink coat shining in the winter sunshine (Yes, even February in Derbyshire gets a glimmer!), and her white mane and tail flowing like the tulle of my favourite tutu. She’s not just a horse, she’s a shimmering, magic pink-powered machine of time travel. With a click of my ruby slippers and a poof, we’re off!
Landing softly in the bustling streets of Paris, the first thing that hits you is the cacophony of sound! This city is buzzing with life. Market vendors hawk their wares, ladies chat and gossip over elegant cups of coffee, and the smell of freshly baked pastries wafts through the air. Ah, I do love Parisian air! And what better way to begin our historical journey than at the opulent palace of Versailles! The Palace of Versailles was the home of Louis XIV and his glittering court, a spectacle of extravagance. Imagine glittering ballrooms, overflowing with opulent costumes, and the gentle strains of a waltz playing in the background. And yes, it is true – Pink ruled this glittering world.
Now, 1707 is quite early in the story of ballet as we know it, darlings. Think more about dancing at court than what we see in grand opera houses today. You can almost imagine this time as the starting point of what would blossom into ballet as we know it, like a fragile ballet flower just starting to unfurl its petals. But let’s not think that it’s a boring period, just less flashy, with a focus on refined grace and elegance! It’s a moment of quiet evolution where those essential ballet principles were developing – precision, coordination, and strength all used to create an image of grace and control that the aristocracy adored. I love the idea that our dance journey had humble beginnings – the seed of a brilliant concept! Think of the evolution of a graceful Swan Lake or a soaring pas de deux. Think of how our very modern and complex style is built on this foundation, and just imagine being part of the starting point.
At Versailles, a truly remarkable scene awaited us. It wasn’t an extravagant, full-fledged ballet production as we know them today – imagine more like an aristocratic ‘dance party’. And a very, very PINK party at that! The courtiers, in their beautiful, elaborate pink dresses and costumes, were all twirling around in what was called ‘la danse noble’ ( noble dance). It was less structured than the ballets that we would come to see in later years but focused on demonstrating courtly skill and etiquette through graceful gestures and a lighthearted, even playful, quality. My rucksack is already bursting with stories – tales of the delicate hand gestures, the playful dips, the gentle swirling movements that all embodied the courtly grace that was expected of the French aristocracy!
We did some ‘noble’ dancing ourselves, just me and Magic Meg in a pink, flower-studded, swirling gown I picked up in the vintage section of my favourite London haberdashery (you never know when a fabulous costume will come in handy!), in that elegant court setting, while all those very real historical figures, dressed in shades of blush and carnation, giggled and looked on with amusement! They did all wear pink, except, I couldn't find one male in pink at the entire Court, which was an oversight on the King’s behalf as, let's be honest, we need to bring some pink back to the guys' wardrobe, right?
And while I was busy making new ballet-loving friends in the 18th century, Magic Meg, in a truly magical display, went galloping across the palace courtyard. Her pink coat sparkled so brightly it looked like a cloud of dusting powder scattered across the cobblestones. We danced with the French royalty until the day was done, laughing, gossiping, and discussing the future of the art that would become ballet. Who knows? Perhaps our time-traveling adventure even gave a little pink boost to ballet history, like a tiny sprinkle of glitter, or a graceful flick of a feather boa! But there is more to see in Paris... and beyond!
Remember, my dear followers, ballet isn't just a performance; it’s an art that has evolved throughout history, carried on by generations of dancers with an insatiable passion for movement. Let’s keep that passion alive, wear a pink tutu and embrace our love for ballet with enthusiasm and joy! We will keep traveling, so come with me to next month's adventure as I continue to collect my stories of how dance changed, what we can learn from the past and what lessons can we take into the future. Until next month!
