Hello my lovelies! Itās Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time travelling ballerina, and Iām bursting with excitement to share my latest adventure with you all! This month, my faithful steed, Magic Meg (the pinkest shire horse you ever did see, with golden hooves and a flowing mane like spun white silk) carried me all the way back to the 18th century! Now, Iāll admit, the world was a tad more rustic than my usual ballet haunts in Paris or New York. But fear not, dear readers! A ballet adventure awaits even in the most unexpected of places.
Buckle up your ballet slippers (a bit of extra cushioning never hurt on bumpy rides!) as I whisk you through my latest escapade, from cobblestone streets to 18th-century theatersā¦ and perhaps even a little bit of dressmaking in between.
*My journey began in the heart of Derbyshire, England. *(A little bit of a homecoming, as my roots run deep in this beautiful county.) The air was crisp with autumnal colours and the smell of wood smoke. With Magic Meg patiently awaiting, I pulled out my leather rucksack, always bursting with a mishmash of vintage ballet paraphernalia, notes, and fascinating snippets of history gleaned from my travels. This time, I was eager to discover the world of ballet in the year 1729!
November 11th, 1729 was a vibrant time for the performing arts, though perhaps a tad less 'en pointe' than I would have liked. There were certainly no tutu-clad dancers pirouetting across the stage - ballet, you see, was just taking its first tentative steps out of its infancy! My journey led me straight to London, where, rumour has it, a troupe of dancers were already thrilling audiences at the newly established Sadlerās Wells theatre! Now, itās a bit of a clichĆ©, I know, but London really was the centre of the universe! Even for an ambitious ballerina from Derbyshire!
*You canāt mention the London stage without bringing up the name of John Rich. * (Isnāt that just the most fabulous name? Imagine it on a theatre marquee! āRichās Grand Pantomimeā¦ā Yes, I could almost hear the applause rippling through the grand theatreā¦) He was not just a theatre manager, oh no, he was also a flamboyant performer known for his acting, and, gasp! His dancing! And, get this, folks, the gentleman's first performance as an actor was in none other than a pantomime ballet. Now, thatās what I call ballet roots! He went on to perform in all sorts of things, pantomimes, farces, you name it. Quite the talented fellow! I bet you heād even be tempted to shimmy his way into one of my lovely pink tutus ā those fabulous, full-bodied frills are quite hard to resist!
The dancing world back then was not all about elaborate costumes and complex ballet steps - it was a kaleidoscope of pantomime, dance and spectacle, with the occasional flirtatious flourish of classical ballet thrown in for good measure. Oh, how I wish I had had my camera back then to capture it all - maybe even snap a few portraits of John Rich, wouldn't that be something for my ballet scrapbook?!
It wasn't all about performance, though - my travels to the past taught me that dance, much like today, was a very important part of social life. You couldnāt step into a grand house in 18th century London without the sound of music or the whirl of elegant dance - those ladies were experts in waltzing and gavottes, all in elaborate gowns and elegant curls, and, I must say, they carried themselves with such grace - a ballerina's dream!
So you see, it was an era of change and transformation ā an era brimming with artistic expression that ultimately helped shape the world of ballet that we know and love today! It was truly inspiring to watch history unfold and see how those early dancers paved the way for generations to come. Just as they were eager to showcase their unique style and talent, I am constantly on a quest to push the boundaries of ballet, be it through vibrant pink tutus or a flash of pink in a Parisian ballroom!
Now, a question for you lovely readers ā have you ever ventured into the world of historic ballet? Tell me all about your favourite ballets, the costumes youāve loved, or maybe even your experiences in ballet classes - whether thatās a century ago or right now. Iām all ears!
As I write, the scent of freshly baked apple tarts wafts through my London window. It's a taste of the past and the future, a delicious combination. And as I close this entry, I'll be adding the apple tart recipe (with a sprinkle of my signature pink sugar, of course!) to my online scrapbook on www.pink-tutu.com for all you budding ballerinas to try.
So until next month, dear readers, keep dancing!
With twirls and giggles,
Emma
