Hello lovelies,
Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel, your one-stop shop for all things sparkly, twirly, and historical! This month, we're taking a jaunt to the glittering courts of 1721, a time when powdered wigs and elegant silks were the order of the day. Grab your favourite pink tutu and hop on board Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkle-coated Shire horse, as we embark on another whimsical journey through time!
As I'm writing this, I'm basking in the glorious sunshine of Derbyshire, a touch of autumn crispness in the air. But I've got 1721 on the brain, where a ballet called "The Royal Lovers" is in the making. The rumour mill has it that this is going to be a real royal affair – and not just because it’s dedicated to the beloved King George I. You see, this ballet is supposed to be set in the court of Louis XIV, a master of pomp and ceremony! Can you even imagine? Just imagine a magnificent court with a cast of dancers in beautiful silks and velvets, showcasing their talents in a story that takes them back to the Sun King's court!
Now, you know how much I adore fashion and a bit of glamour! So, needless to say, I had to dash off to the archives to get a glimpse of what fashion looked like in 1721. Thankfully, it’s quite similar to my style, with layers and layers of flowing fabrics and beautiful colours – though perhaps a little more structured.
The ladies are wearing long, sweeping dresses with elegant bodices and billowing skirts. Think about that romantic swirling fabric, the sort that begs to be twirled. Oh, the choreography! I imagine the ladies' dances to be light and graceful, using intricate hand gestures and graceful footwork to tell their story. The gents? Well, they're sporting fancy silk suits and waistcoats – quite dapper, I must say! The costumes are a blend of colours, fabrics, and designs, all designed to showcase the royal pomp and extravagance of the era.
Can you picture it, darlings? The opulent ballrooms lit by glittering chandeliers, the air buzzing with anticipation and the strains of a lively string quartet... It’s already giving me chills just thinking about it! It's this sense of excitement, of the grandeur of the event, and the artistry involved that truly sparks my imagination. The sheer spectacle of the entire affair will be nothing short of magnificent. I can just imagine those swirling gowns, the glittering costumes, and the passionate dancing all set to the backdrop of royal elegance!
And speaking of royal elegance, it wouldn't be a time-travelling adventure without a bit of royalty, now, would it? This ballet has even garnered the attention of royalty themselves! It seems that King George I and Queen Caroline are absolutely enthralled by the concept of “The Royal Lovers” and are looking forward to seeing it performed. Can you imagine being one of the chosen few to grace the presence of royalty and witness this masterpiece unfold? The anticipation must have been truly electric!
To think that I could have witnessed this incredible performance if only I'd arrived a little earlier! My time travelling doesn’t always work perfectly, and unfortunately I arrived a little after the premiere date. Thankfully, thanks to the brilliance of a rather talented historical ballet historian named Jean-Claude, who is quite fond of a lovely pink tutu and likes to call himself 'Monsieur Tutu', I found a dusty old playbill detailing all about "The Royal Lovers"! It even lists the lead roles! My bag's a little fuller thanks to this!
But what is a journey through history without a touch of exploration, right? I also ventured to the shops to get a sense of the era's fashionable offerings. You won’t believe this, darlings, but I stumbled upon a beautiful, oh-so-lovely pink silk sash! It’s just begging to be included in a dance routine. You can imagine my delight! As I was happily buying up these beautiful pieces, a shop owner offered me some wonderful tips on how to pair it all together – he gave me quite a lot of information on ballet in those days – about the styles and moves, how everything was still so fluid and refined.
Now, I can’t say I'll be adopting his full style - it’s not exactly practical for travelling through time - but I do like to adapt aspects to add to my pink tutus! So look out for that next month!
As my journey through time draws to a close, I find myself thinking about the ballet legacy of this era. "The Royal Lovers" might not be a household name today, but it is a vital part of ballet's rich history. It showcases the dedication and passion of these talented dancers and provides a glimpse into the glittering world of the past. We owe it to our ballet past to appreciate the impact it has had on the present, the world of dance is vast, complex and amazing. I can’t help thinking we’re seeing a huge trend in ballet - its becoming so incredibly fashionable and accessible for everyone and it is now more widely loved than ever. As always, dear readers, remember that there is beauty to be found in all things pink and twirly!
Until next month,
Emma X
www.pink-tutu.com
