Hello lovelies!
Emma here, back from another whirl through time! 🌺 This month, Magic Meg and I took a little trip back to June 1737, specifically the 6th to be precise. Now, you might think, "Emma, 1737? Isn't that a bit early for ballet? What could there be to see?" Oh my darlings, you'd be surprised! The world of dance was alive and kicking back then, and I, naturally, had to check it out, pink tutu and all. 😉
So, we saddled up Magic Meg – pink sparkles, gleaming gold hooves, white mane and tail flowing in the wind – and galloped into the past! Now, if you can imagine it, Derbyshire countryside is one thing, but imagine the bustling streets of London in the 18th century, carriages rolling by, the scent of chimney smoke in the air. It's a heady mix, that's for sure!
We reached London just in time for an exciting ballet event, which took place at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane – that's where all the really fabulous ballet took place, you know. And the show? None other than The Chaplet. 🎭 This was a "serious" ballet, a true work of art (at least for the time). There wasn't the flamboyance of later years, but I tell you, it was packed with stunning choreography. They did amazing leaps and turns, even with those heavy, flowing, velvet costumes – truly impressive.
While I admired their skill, you know I was always keen to observe the costumes. 💃 Ladies in this era were quite fond of hoop skirts, with silk panniers to puff out their dresses, and they were worn with great style even on stage! Their gowns were long, trailing behind them, the necklines dipped to the bosom. (Thankfully, no corseted constrictions on stage though, much to the ladies' relief, I'm sure!) And then, of course, they danced in lovely, long slippers, usually embroidered and ornamented with rosettes or buckles – a very stylish affair, if you ask me!
You might be thinking, "Emma, how did you find time to shop? What did they wear off-stage? Surely you didn't buy a new tutu!" Of course, I couldn't go to 1737 without picking up some exquisite fashion finds. Oh, it was a real treat! Silk gowns, panniers, embroidered waistcoats for the gentlemen – all of the must-haves of the time! They don't make things like they used to, that's for sure. 🪡
Now, of course, I brought some pink for them too – what would ballet time travel be without it? A dash of pink satin ribbon to add to a costume here, a tiny rose made from pink silk for a dress there… just to bring a bit of my favourite hue to their wardrobes! 🌸 (They were awfully surprised, I must confess, and had never imagined anything like pink for their outfits, but you know how I love my colour, darlings!)
This wasn't all about the costumes, however. My real excitement was about a particular ballerino, one Monsieur Noverre! He was quite the star, you know. He'd even started his own ballet school by this point. In fact, that was another thing that totally surprised me, darling – ballet school in the 18th century! This must have been the beginning of dance classes in earnest – how wonderful, right?
Oh, I also picked up a gorgeous little silver pocket watch with a ballerina etched onto the cover. She was gracefully posed en pointe, and you know how I love anything en pointe. Such a delightful keepsake from my trip! 🕰️
You can imagine how exciting this visit was for a girl like me. Dancing history literally comes alive! I am so in my element in the past – if anyone could time travel, ballet girls would be the best! Imagine all the ballet knowledge we could unearth – every dance, every costume, every tiny bit of ballet history we could bring to life for everyone. It would be amazing! 🤩
Now, I've just got to figure out how I'm going to transport those massive hoop skirts back home on Magic Meg... I've got some extra fabric pouches to stuff in my trusty leather rucksack, though, so I might just about squeeze everything in! 😊
Till next time, darlings! Stay fabulous, and don't forget, life is better in a pink tutu. 💖
Yours always,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
