Hello darlings! Itâs your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here, and today weâre twirling our way back to 11th November 1726!
A Whirlwind of History
Now, I must admit, 1726 wasnât exactly the golden age of ballet. Imagine if you will: powdered wigs, frilly gowns, and a ballet that wouldnât be considered ballet today! You see, ballet wasn't the ethereal, flowing dance we know and love. It was more like a grand court entertainment with a touch of pantomime, full of dramatic gestures and flowing movements rather than the complex leaps and turns we admire in modern ballets.
But thatâs where Magic Meg and I come in, ready to sprinkle a little ballet magic wherever we go! I slipped into my favourite pink tulle tutu, a shade as vibrant as the sunrise over Derbyshire, and climbed onto Magic Meg's sparkling back. Her golden hooves clicked a happy beat as she galloped through the misty air, and soon we found ourselves standing in London. It wasn't quite the metropolis of today - cobbled streets, gaslight flickering, a city bustling with horse-drawn carriages.
A Visit to the Theatre Royal
With Magic Meg patiently waiting outside, I ventured into the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where the iconic playwright, Colley Cibber, had just become the Theatre Manager. It was bustling with people, but nothing like a contemporary theatre opening! This place felt grand, but also quite informal, like stepping into a time capsule of theatre history!
Back then, dance was often a small part of a larger play or theatrical entertainment. I could hear snippets of conversation about the ballet within the play âThe Capricious Loversâ, which featured the talented dancers Anne Salle, and John Weaver as principal performers!
Oh, how I wish I could have witnessed that performance! But as I filled my leather rucksack with whispers of history - programmes, newspaper articles, snippets of conversation, I imagined the elegant figures swirling, the rich costumes, and the laughter from the audience.
A Peek into Parisian Elegance
Next, I urged Magic Meg onwards, feeling a familiar flutter of excitement. We landed with a gentle prance right in the heart of Paris! Oh, the elegance of this city in 1726! The streets felt more fashionable, the buildings more ornate, and the atmosphere⊠just⊠magnetic!
The dancers here, like those at the Paris Opera Ballet, were already embracing more lyrical forms, developing techniques and innovations. A ballet called "LâAmour VengĂ©" was the talk of the town. You wouldnât recognise it today, as ballet terminology evolved significantly throughout history! But in this time of transition, this dance would have showcased elegance and beauty, foreshadowing the direction ballet would soon take.
The Spirit of Ballet Lives On
It may have been a very different world to the one I call home, but there was something so lovely about witnessing the spirit of dance during this time. Even without leaps and pirouettes, it felt alive, joyous, and full of expression!
I am constantly in awe of how ballet has evolved throughout history! Each era, each innovation, has paved the way for what we experience today. And every step of this incredible journey deserves celebration! From grand theatrical performances to the elegance of the Parisian ballet, each dance brought joy and excitement!
Pink Tutu Inspiration
While I wasnât able to find many tutus back then - just those early forms with many layers of petticoats, it's important to remember the importance of costume! Even in the 18th century, costumes were evolving, becoming more elaborate, contributing to the theatricality and visual splendour of dance.
Just imagine the costumes, the fabrics, the colours - even back then, a costume could inspire a whole new world of creativity! Maybe that's where the love for my pink tutus started, right back in that history!
So darlings, next time you're at the ballet, think back to the historical roots, those dancers and those costumes! Think of how far ballet has come, how the spirit of dance endures throughout time!
Until next month,
Your very own Pink Tutu Time Traveler!
P.S. Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com! Itâs full of tips on finding your perfect pink tutu, ballet-related articles and some fab historical finds I have been lucky to discover in my travels!
Stay Fabulous!
