Hello darling darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you back in time for another dose of ballet history. December is always such a magical time of year, and this month, we're venturing back to 1712. I hope you're ready to put on your dancing shoes and step into the world of ballet before it truly took flight!
As always, my trusty steed, Magic Meg â a pink-sparkling shire horse with a glorious white mane and tail and golden hooves â is waiting impatiently at the stable. My trusty leather rucksack is packed with plenty of room for new ballet treasures and stories from this time period. I have my trusty pink tutu tucked safely away (can a ballerina EVER have too many tutus?!) as I love to always wear something special when I time-travel. After all, what's the point of a good trip if you're not dressed to impress?
Our journey starts in London, bustling with energy as the Royal Court is alive with the excitement of the season. This time, however, it's not the opera or a grand masque that captivates the court but something decidedly different⊠Ballet-Comique! You know, the kind where the music, singing, acting and dance weave together into a magical story?
Now, while the Royal Court was thrilled with this new performance format, ballet in 1712 was a far cry from the graceful, sophisticated art form we know today. Imagine elaborate costumes with lots of swirling fabrics, extravagant hats, and a dramatic mix of movement, acrobatics, and miming. It wasn't about the technique as we know it, but more about telling a story in a captivating way. The performance in the Royal Court was none other than âLe Triomphe de lâAmour.â You can see why everyone is enthralled! A battle of the elements (a timeless story with such incredible potential!) presented on stage with dance, music, and spectacular effects? Now, youâve got me excited!
This kind of ballet wasnât just reserved for the Court, however, as it was being performed by touring troupes across the land, much like we see the great companies travel today, except back then they relied on their wits and a lot of hard work, not high-speed trains and private jets!
Even further afield in Paris, where ballet has been a significant art form for some time, it's making headlines at the OpĂ©ra de Paris. They have something rather different lined up â The Birth of a Genre. Can you believe it? The very first truly modern ballet d'action, âThe FĂȘtes Venitiennes,â was written in Paris. You heard it right - a true, choreographed ballet where every detail on the stage tells a story.
Now, I have to say, a ballet about Carnival in Venice â a place Iâm just DYING to visit on my next trip! All those masks, the excitement, and of course, a story centered on lovers and masquerade balls... Talk about inspiration for a future tutu design!
On a smaller scale, outside the big city lights, ballet was thriving in small villages and towns. Every village inn or tavern likely hosted its share of dancing gatherings. Perhaps the children would be taught simple steps to entertain their guests or perhaps even a few men and women from the community would show off their fancy footwork after a hearty meal and a glass of ale.
The thought of everyone dancing, however simple their skills, brings a smile to my face! Even now, I am a firm believer that ballet is for everyone, just like this charming tradition of local gatherings, reminding us that this art form was as much about connection, joy and celebration as it was about technique and artistic skill.
I am always on the hunt for stories about women who made their own mark in ballet, and while the Royal Academy of Dance was just starting to form in this era (yes, the Academy of Dance - so fascinating to learn about its origins in the world of ballet), the spotlight on this journey to 1712 has to be focused on a rather remarkable individual named Mary Byfield.
This dancing delight was not only an accomplished ballerina but a successful entrepreneur. Can you imagine how hard this was back in the day? Not only was Mary an exceptionally skilled dancer (a little rumour on the street said her footwork was even more advanced than that of men who were in the troupes of her day), but she also ran her own company (a huge achievement in those days), bringing this joy to everyone! Talk about inspiration!
Speaking of inspiring ballerinas, it was time for me to find some local stories that inspire me. My horse, Magic Meg, knows her way around. We galloped across the countryside, my trusty pink tutu swirling behind me like a dance of the wind, until we reached a village where the local pub was overflowing with dancers â young and old, celebrating, learning, and laughing as they moved together.
A friendly group of ladies were showing me a couple of their traditional folk dances â full of spinning, hopping, and joyful, rhythmic stomping. And my oh my, one lovely young woman shared a tale of a ballerina named Jane who had left her life in the village to pursue a career on the London stage. Talk about courageous, independent and brave - all hallmarks of ballerinas!
Back at my own little haven in the heart of Derbyshire, itâs time to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
To celebrate my trip, I whipped up my famous Ballet-licious Cake - a sweet and delicious celebration of my travels â a strawberry and meringue treat layered with fresh whipped cream and topped with a shimmering, edible glitter frosting. The ultimate decadent pink-hued indulgence.
And finally, after a delightful glass of sparkling rosé and a moment to reflect on all my discoveries, I decided to jot down some ballet fashion notes in my travel journal. Here are some exciting pieces I stumbled upon on my travels:
- The "Dancing Dress" - A light, flowing dress perfect for graceful movement, designed to be practical and elegant, made in light fabrics like silk and lace. Perfect for the spinning, jumping, and dramatic falls and slides on stage.
- The **"Tartanâ - The strong colour, bold pattern - perhaps I should put it in my next design. Just imagine a pink and tartan ballet costume!
- *A âGrecian Headbandâ * A little detail to frame the face â perhaps I should wear this next time I visit London? I bet everyone will look!
- Elegant gloves Yes, it might have been cold in those days - they must have warmed hands up between scenes!
This time-travel trip has shown me just how deeply embedded the art of dance is in our history, woven into every corner of life - from the lavish Royal Courts to village taverns, and through the hearts and souls of brave women like Mary Byfield who dared to dream big and share their talent with the world. It's a reminder that ballet is more than just pirouettes and pliĂ©s. Itâs about expression, storytelling, community, and, above all, itâs about the magic that comes with sharing your passion with the world!
But it's time to bid you farewell for now, my dear readers. The next ballet history journey awaits â maybe next month we'll journey to a more modern era. In the meantime, keep on dancing, dreaming, and living those pink tutu moments!
And always remember, darlings, if you want to join the pink tutu revolution, head over to www.pink-tutu.com, where I post new stories every month. Iâd love to hear what you think!
With much love and pink glitter,
Emma, Your Time-Travelling Tutu-Lovin' Ballerina!
