Hello my lovely pink-tutu darlings! It's your favourite time-travelling ballerina Emma, back with another incredible adventure from the annals of ballet history. This month, I'm taking you on a whirlwind tour of 1712, a year that wasn't exactly brimming with the Grands Ballets we see today, but full of fascinating ballet snippets nonetheless!
It's always a joyous feeling as Magic Meg, my oh-so-pink and sparkling Shire horse, sets off on our latest journey through the time-space continuum. Her golden hooves beat a rhythmic beat against the cobblestones as we whisk back to the past, my pink tutu fluttering in the wind like a pink flamingo feather. My trusty leather rucksack, crammed with ballet curios and untold stories from previous escapades, sits snugly on my back, ready for more treasure hunting.
Landing in the year 1712, we're instantly whisked into a world vastly different to our own. Gone are the dazzling theatre productions we enjoy today; instead, we find a blossoming world of Court Ballet, an aristocratic affair where graceful movements were less about narrative and more about intricate dance patterns, all performed to showcase the social standing and refinement of the Royal court.
As I gaze down the streets of the bustling city of London, I imagine ladies and gentlemen elegantly moving their bodies in stately balls and extravagant banquets. The rhythmic sound of fiddles and lutes would have played softly as courtiers practiced their dance steps, their corsets cinched, their shoes elegantly pointed. Imagine, a life of refined waltzes, graceful minuetts, and perhaps even a touch of boisterous country dances, all presented in an exquisite, intricate and formal manner.
Just imagine! Our beloved ballet, in its most fundamental, rudimentary form, already captivating hearts centuries ago.
Now, this month, my Pink-Tutu friends, I have a particularly special treat! While 1712 wasn't a year brimming with major ballet premières, it holds a significant historical marker. Remember that beloved "Ballet de Cour"? This style of dance is what sets the stage for ballet as we know it today! We can thank the French for this fabulous contribution! In 1712, the King of France, Louis XIV, officially proclaimed a love of all things French - and dance included. This act of cultural patronage paved the way for a dance craze across Europe!
While I wasn't able to waltz my way into the King's Court, just imagine: imagine that breathtaking spectacle, those intricately choreographed ballets - it must have been breathtakingly spectacular.
To fully immerse myself in the sights and sounds of 1712, I made a pilgrimage to London’s famous Drury Lane Theatre. Built in 1663, the building still stands today and is a testament to its long and rich theatrical heritage. Stepping into the theatre, it's as if the history of stagecraft whispered through the corridors and cobwebs. It's truly a place where you can feel the echoes of past performances, of forgotten melodies, of the applause that rang through these halls centuries ago!
The Royal Ballet was still in its fledgling stage back in 1712, but the seeds were sown. It wasn't long until they would grow and blossom into the magnificent world of dance we adore today. Think of those early, beautifully constructed ballets and you'll understand why I'm still filled with an unshakeable love for ballet's past. Every show, every dance move, every costume is a piece of history waiting to be uncovered, to be celebrated. And guess what?! I brought home some fantastic souvenirs for you!
First, my latest vintage find: a lovely silk ribbon in a beautiful pale shade of blue, found tucked away in a secret corner of the Drury Lane Theatre! Imagine the intricate ballet ribbons they may have used in 1712!
Then there's the sketch I managed to find, nestled amongst antique costume designs! I have to say, I'm incredibly excited about it! It's a depiction of a French nobleman and lady gracefully gliding through a ballet routine in all its finery! Talk about beautiful ballet fashion!
But the greatest find of all? I snagged a hand-written script from an era-era play - a ballet scene where the protagonists, clad in flamboyant costumes, moved with elegant steps. I can't wait to decode the script and maybe, just maybe, even find a ballet tutor from that era to show us all the magic of the original dance.
It's times like this when I realise how much our ballet world owes to its glorious history! It's these tiny bits and pieces that tell the whole story. So next time you put on your tutu and practice that elegant pirouette, remember – ballet is woven into the fabric of our world and has been evolving for centuries! It's a reminder that history isn't just a series of dusty books and dull museums. History is ALIVE - and its spirit lives on in every dance we perform!
Until next month my dearest Pink-Tutu pals, be sure to keep those dancing shoes dusted off, for I promise you more fantastic journeys in our quest for all things ballet! 🩰💕 And don't forget, keep shining brighter than ever, darling! ✨
Keep spreading the joy of the tutu,
Your very own time-travelling ballet blogger,
Emma
*Visit my website at www.pink-tutu.com for more ballet fun and updates! *
