Hello my lovely ballerina bunnies! Emma here, back from another whirlwind journey through time, and this time I'm hopping right back to the glorious year of 1715! Now, this year might not be a particularly well-known one in the ballet world, but as you all know, there's a story waiting to be discovered in every era.
This month, Magic Meg, my gorgeous pink-sparkling shire with those golden hooves, and I embarked on a journey to London. Now, 1715 London wasn't exactly the bright lights and bustling streets of the West End, but even back then, you could find a hint of what was to become the vibrant, dramatic centre of dance the world knows today.
Our journey started at a charming, cobblestone courtyard where we were greeted by the intoxicating scent of fresh lavender. The year 1715 was the year King George I ascended the throne. Can you imagine the pomp and ceremony? Well, as much as I love a royal affair, I was more interested in the dancing scene. Now, there weren't any proper ballets as we know them back then. They weren't called ballets, they were called "balls," and they were essentially very grand, formal social events with elaborate, intricate dancing sequences, complete with intricate courtly costumes.
The dancers would twirl and weave around the ballroom in a mesmerising flurry of velvet and lace, their steps as precise and graceful as the finest choreography. Although a far cry from the technical skill of a Bolshoi ballerina today, it was, in a way, a more elegant, graceful era, and even my dear Magic Meg, ever the drama queen, couldn't help but get swept away by the opulent displays of fashion.
It was then I met Monsieur Le Blond, an innovative dancer and choreographer who had made quite a name for himself across the Continent. Imagine my delight! We spent hours discussing the art of ballet. He talked passionately about his recent work, the importance of storytelling through movement, and his dreams of making this grand spectacle, a more polished art form. It was an absolutely delightful experience. He even showed me some original manuscripts with fascinating drawings of dance positions and formations - precious pieces for my rucksack collection.
Of course, a time travelling tutu wouldn't be complete without a visit to a Parisian ballet. So, Magic Meg, all shimmer and sparkle, and I galloped across the Channel. Oh, my darlings! This time period brought a real renaissance to ballet. Imagine the excitement as I waltzed through the hallowed halls of the Paris Opera House. The atmosphere was electric! There I met Madame L'Enchantresse, the very essence of French elegance and refinement. She regaled me with stories of Jean-Baptiste Lully, the ballet master to Louis XIV himself, and we spoke of the evolving art of French court ballet. Madame L'Enchantresse spoke of the intricate footwork, the captivating drama, and the grand gestures that made court ballet a spectacle for the ages. She spoke of a new, intricate way of moving and the innovative choreographic use of the human body and the incredible costuming which she had created for Lully’s pieces. It was so inspirational! I even picked up a tiny pair of embroidered ballet slippers to keep in my rucksack collection, with a promise from Magic Meg to deliver her a beautiful new set of hooves to match.
By this time, the early years of ballet were developing a unique artistic and technical flair. We have a lot to thank those bold artists for who paved the way to what we know and love today. The dancing in those days might have been a little more restrained compared to the athletic prowess of a contemporary ballet, but it still possessed a captivating grace and allure. It was truly a remarkable experience to see these early beginnings unfold. Of course, you'd never see such lovely pink tutus in these times, which is why my mission is so important.
So there you have it, darlings! A glimpse into 1715, a year that proved to be another exciting and colourful addition to my time travelling tutu's ballet adventure! Join me again next month for another exciting journey to the wondrous world of ballet! Remember my darling bunnies, there’s never been a better time to wear pink tutus. Don’t forget to visit our pink tutu online shop at www.pink-tutu.com
Yours in twirling, Emma
