Hello my lovely ballet bunnies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood time-travelling ballerina, back with another whimsical post from www.pink-tutu.com. This month we're twirling back in time to September 9th, 1718 - a date that, whilst not exactly teeming with famous ballerinas, offers a peek into the exciting world of Georgian dance!
I was galloping through the rolling Derbyshire countryside on my faithful steed, Magic Meg, a magnificent pink shimmering Shire with golden hooves and a cascading white mane and tail. My pink tulle tutu, a billowing cloud of sheer elegance, caught the breeze as we journeyed. In my trusty leather rucksack, I had my usual stash of vintage ballet shoes, a hand-drawn portrait of Marie Camargo - my hero, a real revolutionary in the world of dance! - and my trusty journal for jotting down fascinating observations from the past.
Arriving in bustling London, the streets were filled with a cacophony of hooves and wheels, with gentlemen in powdered wigs and ladies with their extravagant gowns creating quite a spectacle. I couldn't resist popping into a fashionable millinerâs shop, where I was delighted to see a ladyâs hair powdered and dressed with the latest French style, with intricately woven ribbons and flowers.
This was, of course, a whole era before tutus became the norm - can you imagine a ballerina in such a powdered hairstyle performing? Honestly, just a tad too fussy for a pirouette! But what was the dance world up to?
September 9th, 1718 fell during the golden age of Baroque music and dance. You may not think of ballet when you think Baroque - those grand, sweeping harmonies that you might hear in a Bach concerto are a little more ânobleâ and stately than what I'd typically twirl to! But trust me, there was so much ballet going on in London at that time!
One of the most celebrated dances was Le Ballet de la Reine (âThe Queenâs Balletâ), an extravaganza that combined music, dance, costumes, and storytelling - a ballet enthusiastâs dream!
While the world wasn't all about pirouettes, the dance world was starting to see the rise of âthe French dance masterâ - these gentlemen were a touch of Parisian glamour teaching dancers all the newest steps and techniques. It was fascinating to think that, although I'm centuries ahead of this period, dance masters have been around forever - some things truly never change! And to think that I was lucky enough to travel back in time to witness the very birth of our favourite artform! The energy I could feel just buzzing through the city of London was just infectious.
Even in the year 1718, ballet was a dazzling spectacle. Think colourful gowns with rich embellishments and wigs with feathers and ribbons that created a swirling vortex of elegant colour. And yes, whilst the idea of wearing a tutu in the 1700s was out of the question, there were very definitely costumes of intricate silk and shimmering fabrics that sparkled just as beautifully as a pink tutu under the flickering candlelight of the theatre stage.
Speaking of theatres - Oh, my dearest ballet-loving souls, can we talk about the gorgeous theatres that existed during this time period? I was absolutely transported by their architectural majesty, and even though I canât imagine any theatre quite so beautiful as my favourite Derbyshire venue, The Coliseum, these buildings possessed a unique grandeur and character. The audience sat in tiered seating, taking in every movement of the dancers with rapt attention, dressed in their finest gowns and suits, an ocean of powdered wigs. Just picture it - the hush falling over the packed audience as the curtains rise and a lone spotlight shines upon a dancer poised, about to launch into an ethereal sequence of arabesques and entrechats... pure magic!
It's fascinating to reflect on how far the art form has evolved over the years, with its progression from its courtly beginnings to its grandest, most sweeping modern-day interpretations. And yes, as I've said before, it would have been quite a spectacle to see the dancers perform in all their elegant finery! They would have looked every bit the ballet royalty!
But here's a thought - even though tutus may not have been a staple in 1718, that doesnât stop me from embracing the power of a good old pink tutu, and spreading that joyous spirit, even in a time that doesn't quite 'get' it! I decided to take Meg on a magical afternoon trot through a grand London park - after all, with the bustle of the city around us, I could practically hear the beat of the Baroque dancersâ shoes!
Imagine the astonished glances from the people enjoying a walk amongst the manicured hedges as a pink-tutu-clad ballerina, accompanied by a pink sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a flowing white mane, glided through the grounds.
It may not have been the best time for ballet performances, but this journey, this brief step into the past, reminded me how powerful a story the human form can tell. In a dance studio in the heart of the 21st Century or amongst the streets of a Georgian era London - the yearning for movement, expression and a grand celebration of art and beauty remains constant.
Well my darling ballet bunnies, that's all for this month, but don't worry, the pink tutu is always ready for more time-travelling adventures, with a dash of 18th Century history! Join me next month for more exciting ballet discoveries as we hop around the world and discover all the inspiring tales of ballet! Remember, everyone looks wonderful in a pink tutu!
Until next time, twirl in joy and always remember to embrace the beauty of the world around you! Love, Emma.
This is blog post number 693 for Pink-Tutu.com.
