Hello my lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, the place where ballet and time travel collide, all in the most fabulous pink hues. Today, we're stepping back in time to the 11th of November, 1715. This date holds a rather interesting ballet history snippet for us! But before we delve into that, I've just got to tell you about my latest shopping find! Imagine my delight when I stumbled across a shop selling vintage tutus, tucked away in a cobbled street of Paris!
Oh, the tulle! The sparkle! One, in particular, caught my eye - a delicate peachy-pink masterpiece with just a touch of silver sequins. It would have looked divine on a ballerina at the Paris Opera. Perhaps it even did! I had to scoop it up - and it will be the perfect accessory for my next time travel adventure, don't you think?
Speaking of which, my lovely steed, Magic Meg, is pawing the ground impatiently - she can't wait to leap through time. You might be wondering where we're going today... But for a moment, let's pause and remember why we time travel. I want everyone, and I mean everyone, wearing a pink tutu! Why? Well, they are the epitome of grace and elegance! But the true joy lies in their ability to express ourselves. A simple twirl in a pink tutu can ignite the spirit, bring out our inner ballerina and spread a little sunshine on even the greyest of days. Don't you agree, lovelies?
1715 - Ballet History and a Time Travel Treat!Now, fasten your pink shoes and let's journey to November 11th, 1715. As always, my leather rucksack is packed, ready to absorb the ballet stories and treasures I encounter! Magic Meg neighs, her hooves glitter with the light of the past, and before we know it, we've arrived.
You'd be surprised to find that 1715 was an important time for the development of ballet! Whilst tutus might have been a twinkle in a designer's eye (at least, they were much simpler back then), ballrooms were ablaze with dance.
Now, it’s important to note, while it wasn’t technically ballet, they were getting there. A blend of elegant dances like minuets and quadrilles were the popular choice in Parisian social circles, a way to flaunt skills and elegance. These were essentially precursor to our ballet, but I see the roots of those elegant moves and poses, the starting points of what we see in the dance world today!
On this specific day, in the heart of London, something utterly thrilling was happening! A play titled The Tragedy of Macbeth starring a troupe of "dancing masters" was premiering at the famous Drury Lane Theatre! Now, I'm just a tad curious about that play. Was it similar to our modern adaptations? Perhaps the dancers performed elaborate dances, interpreting the dramatic scenes. Oh, to have peeked through a curtain that evening and observed!
What treasures would I have brought back for the museum in my rucksack? I must confess, I daydream about an original playbill with intricate illustrations, a costume sketch, maybe even a hand-written note from the director himself! Wouldn't that be sensational?
My Time Travelling Finds - What I've Brought Back for You!My latest adventure is already making its mark in the Pink Tutu archives - a discovery so grand, it practically cries for a ballet performance. While the exact details of the performance itself remain a secret (perhaps a hidden message in time?), it led me to some real treats!
Imagine, I stumbled upon a shop - imagine a vintage boutique but for 1715, in London, packed full of dresses and shoes. Yes, tutus as we know them didn't exist back then, but the inspiration was there! I saw exquisite bodices adorned with lace, silky stockings that sparkled in the dim candlelight, and delicate satin slippers. The beauty was astounding! Just imagining the elegant sway of a dancer's form wearing such creations is pure magic!
This brought me back to the topic of dress. Remember the dancers on the playbill in that little London theatre, performing the dances in The Tragedy of Macbeth? They probably weren't wearing tutus (unless my time machine is playing tricks on me!). It was more likely to have been an elaborate outfit of a much more restrictive style - silk breeches, elegant fitted bodices, and, maybe, a flowing cape or long skirt, and for the ladies, elaborate coiffures adorned with jewels and flowers. It may not be what you think of when you hear "ballet," but you can bet there were some seriously graceful moves happening on stage. And I reckon, that little bit of pre-tutu dress code definitely fuelled the ballet we know and love today!
A Ballerina's Dream - Ballet in London Today!
Now, my dear lovelies, let's journey back to the present! We may be far removed from the dances in those 1715 London salons, but the magic lives on! Imagine if those dancers of that era, were able to teleport here today! I'd take them to one of those elegant London theaters with a magnificent backdrop for a modern ballet - can you just picture the glitter, the dazzling lights and a full orchestra in full bloom?! Imagine their wonder as the ballet story unfolds, maybe something with swirling gowns and passionate stories, in the grand and refined elegance we see in the 21st Century!
Now, what's on offer in the grand halls of London Ballet? From the stately elegance of the Royal Ballet, with its beautiful costumes and complex choreography, to the modern twists and experimental dances found at Sadler's Wells. There’s always something captivating on offer! I suggest you take a trip to these grand halls of the arts for a day you'll never forget!
But let's not forget those vibrant and dazzling performances around the world! Whether you're in New York City or Moscow, Melbourne or Tokyo, ballet's allure knows no bounds. Ballet is a true global language. It transcends time, languages, cultures, and tells a story that resonates with the soul.
*Remember! To the grand ballet dream, I’ve said this many times - it's up to you, my darling ballerina dreamers to make this a beautiful ballet-filled world. *
And what’s better than wearing a fabulous pink tutu while you’re at it?
Until next month, stay inspired, embrace your inner ballerina, and remember, we are all a little bit pink in the heart. And, don't forget, this is Post 659 on Pink Tutu Time Travels, if you are looking to learn more.
Stay pink, my darlings!
Emma
Pink-tutu.com
