Post #771
Hello my gorgeous tutu-loving lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where history and pink tutus collide! 🩰✨ This month, we're time-hopping to the glorious year of 1725! Buckle up, my dears, because we're about to embark on a dazzling adventure with Magic Meg, my sparkly pink steed, and my trusty leather rucksack (packed full of beautiful ballet discoveries, naturally!).
It’s March 3rd, and the air is crisp with anticipation. Even though it’s chilly, the thought of exploring the ballet world of 1725 is warming my heart faster than a pirouette! Today's a perfect day for some sartorial discoveries, so I'm slipping on my most beautiful, frothy pink tutu (naturally) - just imagine a delicate ballet slipper blush with the tiniest hint of champagne, perfectly complimenting my pink ballet shoes!
Off we go with Magic Meg! Her hooves tap-dance lightly as she gallops through time, her white mane and tail swirling in a beautiful breeze. Imagine my joy as the countryside turns from modern England into the rolling, green hills of 18th century England - what a view!
I'm a little sad that pink was less common in this time, but it’s exciting to see how ballet itself is developing! It’s almost unheard of as a stand-alone performance, it's more part of court entertainment, mixed in with opera and theatre. My backpack is overflowing with new stories – I’ve found records of a "Ballet Comique" held at Versailles in the 17th century. Fancy a ballet, opera and lavish dinner in the grounds of the palace, all in one night? I'm definitely going to bring that back to the 21st Century! Imagine, a decadent ball, with performers doing little waltzes during the meal and full ballet interludes. Talk about glamorous!
And of course, no visit to a new era is complete without a bit of shopping!
The clothing in 1725 is fascinating. While there isn’t quite a separate style for a ‘dancer’ just yet, imagine this - women’s dress skirts are wider than ever before! Huge, billowing silk and velvet affairs! They do get a bit cumbersome when performing, so maybe this is one style for the dancers of 1725 that I won't be emulating (not that a bit of pannier wouldn’t make an interesting costume... but probably not for everyday use!), but I'm all about embracing the drama, darling.
On this day in 1725, the most important performance to be seen at is in London. The Italian ballet dancer and choreographer Giovanni Gallini is performing! It's at the theatre at the Haymarket and includes a show called "The Lover" with a performance by our favourite Mr Gallini in the leading role, who at the time was also ballet master. This period also saw a flurry of dance publications, including dancing manuals for "those who have any mind to adorn themselves" by choreographer Charles de La Fosse. Who knew how serious the early 18th century was about perfecting your ballroom steps? I wonder if they even had dancing competitions...
There is also the Drury Lane Theatre in London. My heart flutters to see those famous, towering arches! I can just picture the ladies in their panniers and feathered hats, filling the stalls and upper galleries to the brim with their rustling silk dresses, laughing at the stage and gasping as the actors strut and shout in elaborate costume and wig! I'll definitely be visiting the Drury Lane stage in a future journey. There's something about those time-worn timbers and hallowed performance space, I know there's more to unearth...
I do hope I’m inspiring you to slip on your pink tutu too and do a little exploring! Even if it’s just down to your local museum, try looking for that historical link with ballet - imagine all the forgotten stories waiting to be found, hidden within the archives of museums and libraries!
One thing's for certain, there's something so magical about ballet and time travel! This journey just goes to show you can't really go too far back in history before ballet starts to creep in and add some grace, elegance, and yes, a splash of pink! It's a reminder that dance has always been a part of human history, in its various forms and styles.
Now if you'll excuse me, darling, I've got some new choreography to practice, so I can be ready for my next big ballet performance! After all, that’s how I fund all these incredible time-travelling adventures. And don't forget, I’m still dreaming of that dream: a world where every girl and boy dons a pink tutu. Until next time, darlings, keep dancing, keep dreaming, and keep on shining bright in pink!
Your devotedly, Emma 💖 🩰
