Hello darling dears! Emma here, back from another whirl through the time-space continuum! This month, weâre swirling back to 1742, a year overflowing with artistry and dance. Buckle up, my lovely lovelies, itâs going to be a right royal flutter!
As you know, I always begin with a little pink-tutu about my faithful steed, Magic Meg. This pink-sparkling, golden-hooved Shire horse truly is a dream to travel with, Her white mane and tail are a delightful breeze as we gallop through time, her snorts always sending me off on another ballet-fuelled adventure.
We landed smack-dab in London, dear readers, on 6th June, 1742, a date bubbling over with ballet brilliance! Just imagine â a world before the rise of the Royal Ballet, before pointe shoes graced the stage, a world full of pure theatrical joy.
The London Ballet Scene: 1742
Imagine Covent Garden, darling, bursting with music and movement. In 1742, a delightful treat awaited: "The Generous Rival", a brand new ballet in five acts by Mr. John Weaver, celebrated choreographer and playwright. Now, we donât have much information about the details of the story itself, but imagine, dearies, graceful leaps, intricate steps, and flowing melodies filling the grand auditorium. It's enough to make my ballet-loving heart soar, isnât it?
This year also marked the appearance of a French choreographer, Mr. L'Arpentigny. Oh, dear, this must have been a truly grand time for the ballet world in London! It makes me wonder, was he part of the Italian Company or a visiting artist? The thought of the exchange of dance styles, the interplay of artistryâŚsimply divine!
Of course, my trip wouldn't be complete without a peek at the latest in ballet fashion! In 1742, women of elegance were still favoring flowing, soft gowns. The gentlemen were resplendent in breeches, lace cravats, and powdered wigs. No tutu in sight, alas. I shall have to put my creative energy into persuading everyone to add a dash of pink into their wardrobes!
A Little Something For My Rucksack
I must confess, dearies, that even without a pink tutu on display, I had to add something a little special to my rucksack from this era. I found a beautifully illustrated volume detailing ballet performances of the time! Such a delightful trove of information about costuming, stories, and, yes, even descriptions of some daring choreography! It's going to be such a lovely addition to my personal collection of ballet history, darling!
Now For Our Ballet Travel Blog - The Weekly Performance Roundup!
To complete this ballet journey, I love checking in on the amazing ballet world currently swirling around us! As a Derbyshire girl myself, my heart skipped a beat when I heard that Nottingham Playhouse will be hosting the breathtaking âMatilda The Musicalâ, a perfect combination of dance and storytelling. Oh my, this musical is bursting with incredible performances, music and, yes, those darling tutus! You really can't miss it!
Of course, no trip into ballet history would be complete without mentioning the magnificence that is the Royal Opera House! Currently dazzling audiences is the "Sleeping Beauty" production. From its majestic setting to the graceful choreography, âSleeping Beautyâ always leaves me completely enthralled, ready for a long nap myself. giggles
My lovely ballet followers, thank you so much for joining me on this whirl through history. 1742 proved that dance and theatrical performance have always had a magical pull upon the heart. Remember, dearies, always follow your dreams and make a little space in your lives for the pink-tutu filled adventures that await! And always, darling, remember to always keep your toes pointed!
Until next month,
Emma
P.S Don't forget to visit our wonderful ballet website, www.pink-tutu.com! We are always here to bring you the latest in dance news and history. Donât be shy, let us know about your ballet experiences!
Let's dance!
