Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your monthly dose of ballet history and delightful escapades through time! This month, my dear Magic Meg and I trotted back to 1731, landing in the bustling heart of London, just in time for a rather special day. But before we delve into the excitement, let me just say: oh my goodness, I'm positively smitten with 18th-century fashion! All those elegant fabrics, the delicate lace, and the stunning powdered wigs - truly a visual feast for the eyes!
As we galloped down the cobblestone streets of London, Meg's pink sparkle hooves barely making a sound, I felt a familiar thrill coursing through me. Imagine, travelling back in time, a ballet aficionado in my pink tutu, a veritable splash of colour in this monochrome world, all for the sake of discovering ballet's incredible history!
Speaking of pink, have you noticed the influx of this fabulous colour in contemporary ballet costumes? It's absolutely divine! Maybe it's a little sign that even the most traditionally clad ballet worlds are starting to embrace the power of pink! Now, let's go back to our historical adventure.
A Day of Dancing at the Theatre Royal:
I found myself at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane – one of the most renowned theatres in London! Even back in the 18th century, this iconic theatre was brimming with dramatic flair, and that day, they were performing The Tragedy of Cato – a Shakespearean masterpiece that promised both wit and emotion! It was a bit of a long day of drama before any dancing, however. But my spirits were soaring with anticipation for what might unfold!
Back then, the world of ballet was starting to truly blossom in England, and this day held a particular piece of that story. Imagine my joy when, tucked into the programme, I found a little advertisement – an announcement for the Grand Pantomimes to be held later in the year! This truly highlighted the beginnings of what we now consider the standard format of a theatrical season. A mixture of drama and dance, all culminating in the grandeur of ballet, absolutely thrilling!
But what caught my eye most of all was this tantalising line: "There will be dances and songs." Oh, my! This whispered a story of grace, beauty, and music - everything I love about the ballet world. Although, one cannot but help feel a tiny twinge of disappointment. These "dances" weren't quite what we might think of today - the Grand Pantomimes involved a mixture of music, singing, and elaborate staging, with dance being but a part of the spectacle. However, I consider it an incredible step towards the ballet world as we know it! It's a reminder that even those seemingly simple words - "dances and songs" - can contain within them the seeds of a whole new ballet culture.
Fashion Notes:
Talking about "seeds" and fashion - let's talk about tutus! Well, tutus were a bit further off in the timeline then. You see, it was all about flowing skirts, silk panniers, and that divine, voluminous look. It was a whirlwind of beauty, the ladies all perfectly coiffed, a stark contrast to our simple modern ballet clothes. It did make me wonder how such delicate clothes could stand up to a rigorous ballet performance. Ah, how much simpler it is now, to pirouette with abandon in my comfortable and sturdy ballet tights and leotard. The men of the time looked equally impressive – those beautiful knee breeches and silken vests – I do hope we don’t forget to acknowledge the artistry in men's fashion, too! It was, quite frankly, a vision of absolute decadence!
However, that’s a conversation for another day, dear readers. Let me know in the comments below what era you’d like me to visit next! I'm ever so keen to share these glimpses into ballet's incredible history, as well as share some thoughts on what we can glean from those early days and bring it to the modern stage!
Until next time, may your steps be graceful, your spirit bold, and may your love for ballet sparkle bright. Remember, my darlings, every step in ballet, every twirl, every leap, every arabesque - is a little story waiting to be told! And with the right imagination and passion, every little step can be a giant leap toward ballet’s future, too. After all, the most wonderful thing about ballet is the magic we find in every leap, every arabesque, every pirouette - just like magic Meg’s sparkle, it's a reminder that we’re all part of one big, pink-tutu clad, balletic family.
Remember, you can find more of my adventures on www.pink-tutu.com.
Now, I'm off to take Meg for a spin around Derbyshire!
Until next month, stay fabulous!
**Your Pink Tutu Blogger,
Emma**
