Hello my dearest tutu-lovers! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back from another exciting adventure! This month, Magic Meg and I have galloped our way back to 1715, specifically the 2nd of February. Imagine a world where the most thrilling entertainment involves a "play" with dancing - nowadays, we'd call it a musical, wouldn't we?
The year 1715 in Europe was a period of elegant court life, grand dances and an era that still inspires the movement of ballet today. Now, imagine me, in my flowing pink tutu (the perfect shade of bubblegum, I must add!), stepping out of the swirling mist alongside Magic Meg in front of the Château de Fontainebleau in France.
Let me tell you, it's an absolute dreamland for any ballet lover like myself!
Firstly, this date was exactly one year after the end of the War of the Spanish Succession. People are celebrating and what better way than with a grand, lavish ball, full of dancing, exquisite costumes and of course, a performance of a Ballet de Cour! It's all a bit of a royal affair and I am feeling the need for a little tiara to complete this picture!
Speaking of, just imagine the outfits - I bet there are silks, velvets and elaborate ruffles that would make any ballet enthusiast's head spin. Imagine being a lady in waiting at this court! How exciting! I am imagining the whispers of court gossip as a young ballerina steps on stage! How do you think it feels to be a princess for a day and have your very own ball with beautiful music and ballet performers, with gentlemen bowing to your every move?
Speaking of moves, while the world is a bit of a blur as I adjust to 18th century French etiquette, the Ballet de Cour is captivating. There is still that strict focus on royal formality, and movements are highly codified with intricate footwork and a distinct emphasis on graceful postures. It reminds me so much of the classical style that I studied in Derbyshire. However, it lacks the dynamic leaps and swirling pirouettes of our modern ballets! Maybe that’s why I feel such a strong urge to join the court performance and add a bit of contemporary energy to their intricate elegance - perhaps I'll be the talk of the ballroom by the time my pink tutu is swirling through the dance floor, adding a dash of Derbyshire to their refined moves!
Don't forget, my dears, my mission is to make the world wear pink tutus, so imagine my excitement when I noticed the ladies wearing long, wide dresses, sometimes with very decorative lace bodices - think of them as an early tutu, but not quite! Some dresses featured the bustle, creating a very defined curve in the backside. What's better for pirouettes and bourrées than a nice curve? Just a little something I’ll be suggesting at my next performance – I think my Derbyshire dance academy will love the extra flow!
Of course, I wouldn’t dream of leaving such a glamorous event empty-handed, so I've tucked away in my rucksack a few beautiful hand-drawn sketches from a book detailing these elegant ballets. Imagine being able to preserve the grace of 18th-century ballet dancers, their elegant poses and the costumes which would influence the design of our tutus decades later! These illustrations remind me of all the magnificent costumes and dances from our time that will one day be archived for future generations!
While it is hard not to be tempted by all the finery and to be distracted by the fashion (did I mention that 1715 saw the rise of elaborate brocades? A truly dreamy textile for tutus!), my time here has also given me the chance to visit a dance class where the young, up and coming dancers are being trained in the intricate steps of Ballet de Cour. It's like being transported to a ballet classroom back in time! These dance students are as elegant as they come! Their poses are just as graceful, and their passion is contagious! I am amazed to discover how many of their moves are still practiced and incorporated into ballets even now. It's fascinating to see the connections and traditions passed down from generation to generation.
I feel inspired, ladies and gentlemen. Not only are my pockets overflowing with beautiful fabric swatches that could be used for the most breathtaking tutus imaginable, I am also overflowing with the ideas that this journey to 1715 has planted in my mind! Perhaps my next ballet performance will incorporate a little bit of historical grace, with an exciting twist?
So, dear readers, keep your eyes peeled, because my next Pink Tutu Time Travel blog post will be a sneak peek of my latest project – just another excuse to slip on a pink tutu!
Don’t forget, you can follow my adventures at www.pink-tutu.com, and let me know in the comments, which time period do you want to time travel to, with Magic Meg, and me, of course!
Stay stylish and keep dancing,
Emma, the Pink Tutu Time Traveller!
