Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing ballerina, and I'm bursting with excitement to share my latest time-travelling adventure! This month, we're taking a trip back to May 5th, 1718! 🕰️💖
Get comfy, grab a cuppa (or a sparkling mimosa!), and get ready to dance with me through the past…
Post Number 689: A Whirlwind of 18th Century Elegance!
This month's destination landed me smack-dab in the heart of London! As I rode in on Magic Meg (still looking divine in her pink sparkling shimmer!), the streets were a-buzz with carriages and well-dressed folk. The air was filled with the sweet scent of lavender, and the aroma of roasted meats coming from nearby shops was making my tummy rumble. 😉
But before I could even indulge in a hot meat pie, something caught my eye! It was a magnificent building with elaborate gold trimmings and a giant painted sign: "King's Theatre in the Haymarket"! 🎉 My heart skipped a beat!
You see, darlings, back in the 1700s, ballet was starting to take off in a big way. It wasn't quite the sophisticated art form we know and love today, but the passion was starting to spark. I just had to know what was going on!
I dashed through the throngs of people (all very dapper and smelling wonderfully of musk) and purchased a ticket. It was the equivalent of £5 in today's money - steep, even for me! But it was a small price to pay for a taste of early ballet history!
Inside, the theater was ablaze with chandeliers and the ladies all wore shimmering silk dresses. The gentlemen, sporting powdered wigs and colourful waistcoats, were as dapper as could be! And guess what? The show was about to start, starring the famous Signor Giovanni Benedetto Degli Antonelli, known simply as "Signor Antonelli". ✨ He was one of the first ballet masters in England, and I couldn't wait to see him perform.
The show was a true spectacle! There were all kinds of dances, some familiar and others completely different. The steps were dramatic and exaggerated, a far cry from the elegant fluidity of the 21st century. But you could feel the sheer artistry and energy in every move.
One of the dances, a 'Menuet,' involved dancers using graceful, swirling gestures that would later evolve into ballet's iconic 'pas de bourrée'. Another, a 'Sarabande', had the performers slowly moving to a stately melody. They used a combination of intricate steps and sweeping arm movements, something we see echoes of in the contemporary dance styles of today! It was a reminder that even though ballet has changed so much over the years, those basic building blocks still hold up.
But what truly captured my imagination were the costumes. While they may not have been quite the exquisite tutus we adore today, they were just as flamboyant! The gentlemen sported elegant velvet jackets with flowing satin ribbons and feathered hats, while the ladies wore delicate gowns with ruffled skirts that billowed as they danced. And did I mention the incredible, sparkly headpieces? 😍
And then there was the orchestra! They were playing with such a spirit, adding even more flair to the whole performance. The energy of the music, the beauty of the dancers, and the passion in every gesture was truly inspiring.
I'd been mesmerized for the entire show! The King's Theatre in the Haymarket was a perfect blend of traditional elegance and exciting theatrics, something I found totally enchanting. It reminded me that the history of ballet is one of evolution, creativity, and artistic passion. And that no matter how many years go by, the power of dance to inspire and enthral remains the same. ✨💖
Of course, I wouldn't leave without picking up a souvenir! This time, it's a gorgeous embroidered pocketbook featuring a design of the King's Theatre – what a perfect keepsake for my collection!
Now, I'm off to explore the London streets, where a grand parade is going to take place! There's no doubt it will be filled with fashion inspiration. And maybe I can pick up a few goodies to help me fill my rucksack with even more treasures for my "Ballet Time Travel Diary"!
As always, remember to keep spreading the love of pink tutus! 😉💖
Stay tuned for more amazing journeys in the next Pink Tutu Travels blog post!
Love, Emma
P.S. Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to find even more stories from my time-travelling adventures! You'll find a bunch of lovely pics and even some ballet-themed fashion tips. Just don't forget to follow my blog and follow me on Instagram (@EmmaPinkTutu) so we can share the pink tutu love! 🩰💕
