Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, back with another instalment of your favourite ballet-loving time traveller's adventures! Today, we're going back in time, to August 8th, 1713. Can you imagine? It was the era of powdered wigs and lavish balls, but for us, it means a very special ballet mystery to solve.
This month, my trusty steed, Magic Meg – she's a real stunner with her glistening pink coat and golden hooves – whisked me off to the cobbled streets of London. As usual, my trusty leather rucksack was slung over my shoulder, ready to collect the stories and ballet treasures of the time. My pink tutu swirled in the breeze as Meg trotted, and I just couldn't wait to see what this historical date held!
Now, as you know, ballet wasn't always about tutus, leaping, and graceful pirouettes. It started as a form of courtly dance – much more stately and serious. You wouldn't see the soaring jumps and breathtaking pointe work we have today. In the 18th century, ballet was experiencing a period of transformation, slowly moving away from its courtly origins to incorporate elements of theatre and performance. This exciting era marked a turning point for the world of ballet!
So, here’s what I found out…
In 1713, a most curious thing happened! In London, a travelling ballet company performed for the King, and you’ll never believe this… The ballet involved a talking cat! Imagine a feline ballet dancer, swishing its tail and prancing across the stage, all while narrating the performance! My research uncovered accounts of the royal audience, eyes wide with amazement, being entranced by this captivating creature. Sadly, there's no information on whether it was a real cat, a talented performer in a furry costume, or even a cleverly disguised actor. I wouldn’t put it past these historical dancers to put on a good show, especially to impress a King! This fascinating detail is now tucked away in my rucksack, a memory for my blog.
While I explored this little slice of 18th-century ballet history, the world outside my pink tutu was teeming with stories! You might think this would be a more subdued, quiet era for ballet compared to today, but you would be so wrong! Across the globe, there were so many ballet companies springing up – especially in France! There was an incredible momentum of artistry, creating some of the most extraordinary shows and talented dancers. Even with the ongoing rivalry between France and England, there were echoes of the incredible innovation that we see in ballet even now, right from the 1700s!
After leaving my beloved London, I rode Magic Meg back home to my cosy cottage in Derbyshire. We arrived in time for my evening ballet class, my pink tutu swirling as I danced across the studio. As I twirled and leaped, I thought of those captivating historical ballerinas, their artistry and dedication influencing the very dance moves I performed. My trip had inspired me more than ever!
And now for some Ballet Bliss:
- A New Discovery: Have you ever seen a ballet where a talking cat steals the show? I bet it was purr-fectly entertaining! Let me know your thoughts, especially if you've stumbled across a similar theatrical marvel!
- Inspiration is Everywhere: If we are drawn to a subject as magical as ballet, we are bound to discover the beauty in everyday life – just like I did in my trip. The cat story gave me an excellent starting point for a new choreography routine, incorporating the playful feline grace!
- Embrace the Pink Tutu: I cannot stress this enough – the pink tutu empowers! It embodies all the confidence, grace, and playful energy of ballet, reminding us to always embrace who we are and what we love! Remember, my darlings, we can make the world a pink tutu paradise, one twirl at a time!
Don’t forget to follow me on www.pink-tutu.com for all my ballet adventures and more tips for finding that extra touch of sparkle! Until next month, darlings!
Always remember to be yourself, and if you want to be a ballerina, you totally can! Keep those pink tutus shining, and let's keep dancing to the rhythm of life!
Love,
Emma xx
