Hello fellow twirling enthusiasts and welcome back to my monthly pink-tutu filled adventure through time! I'm Emma, your resident time-travelling ballerina, and today, we're taking a little trip back to the summer of 1707. Grab your favourite pink tulle skirt and let's head back to the dazzling era of powdered wigs and lavish balls!
This month, the journey starts in my cosy little cottage nestled amongst the rolling Derbyshire hills. My loyal companion, Magic Meg - a dazzling shire horse with a mane and tail like spun silver, her coat the softest shade of pink and her hooves glittering with gold - neighs excitedly as I ready myself for the adventure ahead. I pack my trusty leather rucksack, a vessel for all my ballet treasures: a delicate feather boa, a silk ribbon, a hand-stitched satin shoe – little souvenirs from past eras that make history truly come alive!
I pull on my signature pink tutu, feeling a flutter of anticipation in my stomach. This month's destination is London, and the year is 1707, a time when the world of dance was undergoing a renaissance. Imagine, just the sheer volume of history and artistry that awaits us! My heart practically skips a beat at the thought of what incredible ballet performances are hidden in this time!
But hold on, where are my fancy shoes? My favourite pink-sequined ballet pumps are tucked neatly beside the ornate crystal and silver tiara I plan to wear with my pink-and-silver tutu today! They say a true ballerina knows how to accessorise.
And speaking of fashion, 1707 was a glorious time for it. From the luxurious lace ruffles adorning courtly gowns to the vibrant embroidery embellishing silk suits, everyone seemed to be dressed for a stage play. It's no wonder ballet thrived in such a beautiful and dramatic world!
Today, in particular, marks the opening of a brand-new performance space – Covent Garden! This iconic venue, one of the most famous in the world today, will eventually become synonymous with ballet, a mecca for both performers and fans alike. My oh my, just imagine the amazing performances to be held within its walls in the coming centuries.
On the 8th of August, 1707, the stage is set to come alive. "The Lovesick Shepherd" takes centre stage at this new London hot-spot. The play was by Thomas Behn, featuring dancing interludes as popular at the time. This was no ordinary performance - a little-known ballet performance within the play by none other than the "Queen of Ballet" herself: La Fontaine! Talk about legendary! La Fontaine was a prominent French choreographer of the time who made a great impact on ballet’s development. It was her innovative choreography and artistry that revolutionized the world of ballet during that era. Can you imagine the impact she made? She’s certainly a legend I would love to meet!
Just thinking about all the excitement and joy La Fontaine brought to audiences makes me want to grab my tights and jump right onto that stage myself! But maybe not just yet – I’ll save that for my own dance showcase at Covent Garden, maybe even when the Opera House itself stands majestically at the centre of it all, 150 years later. After all, one needs a goal, doesn't she?
Even though the world of dance was very different back then, you wouldn't believe how much we can learn from them! It reminds us that the human need for beauty, grace, and story-telling is eternal. You can still feel that magic and emotion flowing through the dancers, their leaps and turns mirroring the beating of our own hearts.
Just as I’m feeling utterly enthralled with this fascinating little slice of ballet history, Magic Meg whinnies, reminding me it’s time to move on to the next leg of our journey. Perhaps a stop by a fashionable salon to see how they crafted such intricate lace and ribbons back then? A ballet academy maybe? After all, with every trip through time comes a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered, every journey filled with wonder and excitement. And don’t you just love a new tutu story?
This journey to 1707 reminds me, once again, that every ballerina has her story, and every pink tutu hides a history of its own. Even today, there’s an endless ballet adventure to be discovered, just waiting to be unveiled on our very own stages and in our own little world.
Until next month, twirl your way through life, embrace your inner ballerina, and remember: The world is your stage, and a pink tutu can take you anywhere.
Head over to www.pink-tutu.com and share your favourite ballet memories in the comments section. I’d love to hear your thoughts, your stories and maybe even catch a glimpse of your own amazing tutu adventures!
Love and sparkles,
Emma
The Pink Tutu Time Traveller
