Hello my darling dance devotees! Welcome to another exciting instalment of the Pink Tutu Time Travel Blog! This month, I'm whisking you all the way back to the 1730s! That's right, ladies and gents, we're going on a whirl through the century of powdered wigs, lavish ballrooms, and the dawn of a revolutionary era in dance! Buckle up, darling, because this time, we're getting truly historical.
Oh, Magic Meg, my beautiful pink sparkly shire with those divine golden hooves, you never fail to astound me with your speed and your elegance! Imagine our astonishment this morning when we found ourselves deposited in the year 1730 in the heart of Paris! What a dream!
The streets were a flurry of activity – vendors hawking their wares, carriages jostling for space, and the infectious melody of a street musician wafting through the air. Of course, being the fashionable darling I am, my eyes immediately darted towards the elegant attire! Oh, how the gentlemen looked dapper in their powdered wigs and silk waistcoats, and the ladies! The ladies simply exuded charm in their billowing skirts and delicate lace ruffles! It’s funny, though, how the notion of "ballet fashion" differed from our modern standards! They seemed more focused on ornate, extravagant garments for balls and court dances. Where’s the movement? The agility? Of course, our modern tutus wouldn't make sense in that context – those lovely ladies wouldn't be able to pirouette with a ballgown as wide as a dinner table!
Speaking of ballet, the very air of Paris crackled with its energy. This time, though, there was a definite "undercurrent" if you will – something brewing that would shake the dance world forever. The "ballet d'action" - this revolutionary genre blending the classic beauty of the dance with the storytelling power of theatre, was taking its first tentative steps! Think elaborate dramas, beautiful costuming, and emotional choreography that moved the heart as well as the body! How very intriguing, don't you think?
The story of dance, however, is far from static, even in 1730. Back in my home town, Derbyshire, things were a tad less fashionable! No grand ballet theaters or elegant balls! Our dance form was more...robust. Think rustic, communal dances that embraced a lively spirit and joyous celebration. A dance to truly shake a leg to! No tutus there! I found this delightful little troupe of Derbyshire farmers - a whole community joining hands and hearts, spinning and stomping in a vibrant and boisterous dance under the summer sun. This wasn't "ballet" in the grand, artistic sense, but its roots held a raw passion for expression and storytelling - the same magic we strive to capture on our stages!
I was intrigued to discover, too, that 1730 saw some significant contributions to the dance scene beyond Paris! Across the channel, the British Royal Ballet was born! Though its focus wasn't solely on "ballet," it blended various performance elements like singing, acting, and even acrobatics to tell their story - a foreshadowing of what would blossom into modern dance theatre! Oh, Magic Meg! These discoveries make me yearn to experience even more!
We found ourselves a charming café in the heart of Paris and enjoyed a decadent feast! There was something quite delicious about their buttery pastry! It reminded me a bit of a little dessert shop tucked away in the quaint cobbled alleys of old Bakewell in Derbyshire – those scrumptious tartlets are another favorite treat for myself and Magic Meg! It makes my heart swell thinking about the sweet, comforting pastries we enjoy - not to mention our adorable, decadent strawberry and whipped cream cocktails we've been sampling lately at the "Danseur's Delight" back in the 21st Century! How we adore that restaurant, with its light, airy ambiance and those exquisite pink menus!
The French seem to be embracing this fashion of pink too! Though not to the same extent we enjoy in Derbyshire, there's a touch of pink blooming in their garments. Their soft satins are a delicious pale blush, their lace ruffles often adorned with touches of rose pink, and their charming parasols offer shades of delicate pink! While not exactly the tutus we love so dearly, they do demonstrate this undeniable allure pink has upon our world, even centuries ago. My heart did soar with delight as I noticed those gentle dashes of pink amongst their pastel shades. Oh, how I long to bring pink tutus to 1730! A revolution of ruffles, indeed!
As the afternoon bathed Paris in golden sunlight, I bid adieu to this historical spectacle! I promised myself I’d revisit the 1730s with Magic Meg very soon! The magic of those dance pioneers, their pioneering innovations in story-telling ballet, and the charming little tidbits of "pink" peeking through their fashionable world truly enchanted me!
My dearest friends, Remember to join me next month as I venture even further into time – we'll explore a new era, embrace a different dance, and uncover even more wonders for our collection!
And darling dance lovers, always remember, a world of pink is waiting to be explored - so go out there, twirl with confidence, and wear those pink tutus with pride! The magic is in the movement, the beauty is in the detail, and the future of ballet? Oh, it's a bright, shimmering pink, waiting to be written by YOU!
With love, twirls, and a heart full of pink,
Emma
xx
Pink Tutu.com
