Hello darlings! It's Emma here, and you've landed on my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things ballet! My aim, as always, is to inspire you all to embrace the magic of dance and, of course, to spread the pink tutu love far and wide!
This month, Magic Meg (yes, the pink sparkly Shire with golden hooves) and I have galloped our way back in time to 3rd March, 1713. Can you believe it? Over three centuries ago! We're always learning and soaking up all the history that our little pink-tutu-clad hearts can handle.
This time, we've landed in the heart of London, just a skip and a hop away from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. You see, darlings, March 3rd, 1713, is a significant date in the world of theatre, and I wouldn't miss it for all the sequins in the world!
Now, I know what you're thinking - ballet in the 18th century? Well, ballet, in the sense we know it today, hadn't quite taken hold yet, but that doesn't mean that dance wasn't thriving! In fact, it was a popular form of entertainment, and the Theatre Royal Drury Lane was a hotbed of theatrical talent.
Let me paint you a picture: the theatre was a grand, beautiful building, lit by flickering candles. There was a mix of theatregoers dressed in their finest clothes, chattering excitedly, anticipating the spectacle ahead. As we entered, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Could you imagine? All of that excitement in a pre-ballet world!
As we took our places, I could see the playbill advertised "The Recruiting Officer" by George Farquhar, with a grand ballet spectacle added. The anticipation grew.
Can you picture the excitement of those times, my lovelies? Now, I won't lie, this dance sequence was more of a spectacle with choreography woven in, much like you'd find at the theatre these days. You could have a grand ball, a warrior’s fight, or even a comical chase, and every bit was heightened with movement and graceful steps, bringing life and excitement to the story. I was mesmerised, as I often am, by the elegance and artistry of performance! It was clear that even back then, the allure of movement was a captivating thing.
You see, while this type of theatrical performance was not the "ballet" we know and love today, the passion, drama, and captivating use of movement was undeniably similar to the elegant ballets of our time!
*What are we learning from this? * The world of dance, my darling readers, is a tapestry woven with threads from many eras and across many countries. There's beauty in its evolution. It's so inspiring to me, as it reinforces our mission: to encourage the love and passion of dance, and hopefully inspire the whole world to take a twirl in a pink tutu!
Speaking of inspiring! Remember my little leather rucksack that I take on all my time travel adventures? Well, this trip, I managed to sneak a precious ballet script with a wonderful "dance dialogue" within its pages. Imagine the choreography woven into a play itself! I will treasure this find forever!
Well, dear readers, I'm off to take Magic Meg to a traditional English pub. A quick nip of sherry and we’ll be back on the road, venturing into new time periods! You'll be the first to hear about my next ballet adventures on www.pink-tutu.com. Be sure to tune in next month for the latest pink tutu chronicles!
Stay beautiful, my darlings, and remember, everyone has a bit of ballerina in them!
