Hello fellow tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things ballet, past, present and, well, future! This month, I'm whisking us away on a magical trip to… 1710! Buckle up, darlings, because this journey will take us to the very heart of what became ballet as we know it today.
You see, the year 1710 is not just another date in history. This is the year that one of the most important ballet figures of all time, Monsieur de Beauchamps, was born. He wasn't just a dancer, but a genius, a choreographer, and a visionary! This wonderful man essentially revolutionised ballet. Think of it as if he'd suddenly arrived in ballet and declared "This isn't right!" and then created all the moves we take for granted today, all while wearing a fabulous frock!
So how do I, Emma, a modern-day tutu-wearing enthusiast, manage to waltz back in time, you ask? Well, my trusty steed, Magic Meg, makes it possible. Meg, a magnificent, sparkling shire horse with golden hooves, a white mane, and a tail so magnificent you’d swear she wore a sparkly tutu, is more than just a horse, she’s a portal to the past.
On my back, I have my trusty leather rucksack, always ready to gather stories, relics, and snippets of ballet history that I’ve found in different times and places. (You’d be amazed at the wonderful things I find tucked away in cobweb-filled theatres!)
Now, this month's adventure was a whirlwind of historical discovery. I rode Magic Meg to a glittering, elegant ballet show in the glittering city of Paris, and the ballet world felt quite different then. It wasn’t the intricate, almost mystical stories of the ballets we know today. Instead, imagine something grander, something more…courtly! It’s almost like we were back at the royal court of Louis XIV – fancy shoes, elaborate costumes, and very theatrical gestures!
Did you know that back in the early 1700s, ballerinas actually didn't dance en pointe? Their shoes were flat, and they mainly glided across the stage with their feet flat on the floor. Think of it more like a stately court dance. Imagine ballet with elegance but less 'high kicks', which I find a little sad - I think the height of the leaps adds so much to the art form!
While Paris was bustling with beautiful ballets and charming cafes, let’s head over to England! Ballet wasn’t yet truly established here – not in the way we know it now. But, oh! I’d say I could sense ballet's future everywhere I went in London – you could feel a vibrant, burgeoning passion for all things dramatic and beautiful, from theatre to grand operas, which definitely gives me hope for ballet!
London in 1710 wasn’t as polished as Paris, but it was full of vibrant life – all those lovely little tea rooms, and those wonderful carriages with fancy horses, it felt magical, even if my little tutu was sticking out a bit in all that fashion!
Now, to be honest, the ballet world was a little less ‘pink’ than today. Tutus weren't the fashion back then! They weren't yet a symbol of all things girly, lovely and elegant, but who knows? Maybe that's how it all starts - someone just has to spark a trend, right? That’s where I come in! I’ve brought back a gorgeous shade of pale pink dye from 1710 London, so maybe we’ll see a pink ballet tutu on the next show… one can hope, right?!
And guess what? I was lucky enough to see an exciting new performance on 11th November! The London stage was a hive of activity, buzzing with a wonderful play titled “The Rover”, featuring exciting dancing, drama and witty satire - not to mention colourful costumes. I actually spotted an actor wearing a dress that resembled a tutu… maybe we have Mr. Beauchamps to thank for this?!
The thing that I adore most about ballet history is how it connects to the rest of the world - we're not just looking at a dance, but a mirror of society, with fashion and ideas influencing its direction. And for this reason, my blog wouldn’t be complete without a peek at global fashion during my trip to 1710!
Fashion back then was all about embellishment! We're talking satin, brocade, lace, and loads of frills, all crafted for that extravagant, almost baroque look. Women of the era favoured full skirts, big sleeves and big, dramatic wigs. We’re all about simplicity today with tutus and tights. However, I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to a huge wig for my next ballet show, right?!
As a modern-day ballet enthusiast, I must confess, my heart always feels a little heavier when I see how far women have come in ballet since those days. Back then, dancing was less about a woman's individual strength and skill, and more about delicate movements, beautiful figures, and enchanting costumes.
Now, I think it’s time for us to turn our attention to the wonderful ballet shows taking place around the world right now. Why not slip into your favourite tutu (even if it’s not pink! It's ok to have your own taste!) and catch a magical performance in your city? And remember, every ballet show, from small theatres to grand opera houses, has its own story, just waiting to be uncovered.
Don't forget, Pink-Tutu.com will be back next month with more enchanting journeys into the past, new fashion trends to drool over, and hopefully, more pink tutu-clad inspiration to spread! Until then, my fellow ballet lovers, remember to dance your heart out, embrace your individuality, and make your own stories.
Love and sparkly tutu hugs,
Emma 🩰💖
