Hello my darling dancers! Emma here, ready to whisk you back through time on the back of my sparkling pink shire horse, Magic Meg, and straight into the wonderful world of ballet. Today, my diary's open to the 2nd of February, 1721. I'm going to have you feeling all sorts of pas de bourrees with this one, because today's date has a really exciting history attached!
Firstly, it was an absolute blast to just gallop into 1721. The air was crisp and fresh, a beautiful spring day here in Derbyshire. You can't beat a bracing morning with a hint of winter still lingering, and the sun, just barely peeping through the morning mists, like a cheeky twinkle of an eye. My new pink velvet coat felt snug against the cool air, keeping my neck warm, as Magic Meg and I took the fields with their green shoots pushing through the dark soil. My beautiful Magic Meg really is the best. She shimmers pink, her mane and tail cascading like white snow and with hooves that are like polished gold. Just a reminder she is on her special pink-tutu diet of sugar cubes!
But, what happened in 1721? Oh, darling! Brace yourself, the excitement starts as soon as you saddle up! We were off to London today, the city's abuzz with chatter. Now you know that 1721 wasn't exactly the dawn of ballet as we know it today - but that's no reason to despair! The seed for ballet was well and truly being planted in the minds of theatre-goers and nobility alike!
Think, ladies, of an era when even attending a theatre performance was an extraordinary event! This period is chock full of intriguing facts. Imagine stepping into the ornate splendour of a theatre; plush red velvet seats, swirling chandeliers throwing dazzling rainbows onto the stage, the air thick with excitement as the curtain rises... Just divine, wouldn’t you agree? And as I walked along the streets, London buzzed with life! It was all such an exciting scene to witness.
I discovered a whole different style of dancing. It was called the English Court Dance - all elegant, and flowing, nothing too vigorous, just beautiful shapes and postures that created a sort of theatrical tableau. And Oh, wouldn't you know it, London was teeming with people learning and sharing those elegant moves. In this very era, our very own London theatre spaces like The Drury Lane, were evolving into hubs of the art form - just like our own theatre halls of today! I was just so very, very thrilled.
I had the luckiest day - because, oh my darling, the very next day was going to be the grand opening of the new Haymarket Theatre, just a short gallop away! The very theatre that we see in modern ballet history was just beginning its life, I felt myself floating through the air!
Now, it wasn't just dancing happening everywhere you looked. As I wandered the streets, there was the biggest wave of French fashion sweeping through the land! What does that mean to us, I hear you whisper? Ooh darling, just imagine it - flowing fabrics in delicate hues of blush pink, like an array of spun sugar. The pastel colours were simply divine, as were the intricate trims and elaborate embroidery. The French flair for romance and beauty were beginning to truly influence the English social scenes and, it really is just an absolute joy to be part of a time period when everything around you feels absolutely radiant with colour!
One of the best things I found whilst walking about was a shop selling the most delightful array of ribbon - the finest silk you could imagine - every colour of the rainbow! This is one of the things that made this period so truly exciting, they simply knew how to create exquisite materials that could take their fashion to new heights! Now, the real treasures here are these amazing little scrolls that contained all sorts of dance secrets, some even penned by the most prominent masters of their time - imagine the joy and the knowledge I gleaned by reading through these.
Oh my dear, there were no costumes as we know them - no pointe shoes, no leotards - just outfits that represented the era in a style that was breathtaking. We’re talking, beautiful silk skirts, perfectly fitted bodice's and intricate bonnets. Such a glorious mix of dainty colours and romantic touches! The whole air of elegance was really divine, so you just imagine the style and elegance that flowed in a gentle swirl, as a ballerina took her place on stage, her delicate satin shoes tracing the graceful movements in every performance. I bet they were absolutely dazzling with each turn. I would give anything to experience this era, in full.
With all the fabulous fashion to feast your eyes on, the elegant styles of dance being practised everywhere you looked and a beautiful fresh breeze in my hair - I have to admit, this period left a bit of a whirlwind of joy swirling around in me! Just one day - in time, in London, had brought so much excitement, history and style. So you’ll need to put that lovely pink tutu of yours to work for the grand occasion, darling.
You can join my adventure, don't forget, my little darlings, and join me at www.pink-tutu.com every month. The pink tutu always has something special in store. Till next time.
Emma xxx
