Hello, darlings! It's your favourite tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back again for another whirl through history, this time with a grand Parisian adventure on September the 9th, 1742. Buckle up, loves, because it's a real treat!
Today, I’m feeling extra sparkly. Magic Meg – my pink-sparkling, golden-hooved, Shire horse with the snow-white mane and tail – is positively glowing as we trot down the cobblestone streets of Paris. The air is thick with anticipation, with the excited chatter of well-dressed Parisians around us, their elaborate hats and frilled coats bobbing along. You can feel the buzz of something big happening – something theatrical and full of flair!
Now, my lovely readers, you all know my motto: if you're looking for the magic of ballet, Paris in 1742 is where you want to be. We're on our way to the Theatre du Marais to witness the first performance of Jean-Georges Noverre's "Le Déserteur", a brand-new ballet that everyone is whispering about. It promises to be an experience unlike anything the city has ever seen. Imagine, dears – ballet, but with a narrative, a story! The dancers, no longer merely executing steps, become characters who move and interact with each other! It's almost revolutionary, don't you think?
As we weave through the crowds towards the theatre, my eyes are darting everywhere, soaking up the atmosphere. The Parisian streets, oh my, the energy is electric! The cobblestones are alive with ladies in their finest gowns, gentlemen in their powdered wigs and velvet suits, and the aroma of freshly baked croissants mingles with the music of strolling street musicians. You know, you'd think I’d be tired of pink after all these travels, but today, everything is sparkling just that little bit brighter in shades of pink and blush. It’s certainly fitting for my favourite colour! I feel so much more stylish, even when travelling through the past. And yes, my dear readers, that is a touch of pink velvet in my new travel-tutu this month! It’s all about the details, you see, and nothing makes an entrance quite as memorable as a little bit of Parisian pink flair.
We finally reach the Theatre du Marais and its ornate facade, decorated with the finest baroque detail. It's dazzling in its grandeur, yet it’s quite a lot less ostentatious than the opera houses of later centuries, in a refined and sophisticated manner. The anticipation hums in the air as we enter the elegant, candlelit auditorium.
And oh, the sheer spectacle! Every surface sparkles and glitters. We are surrounded by plush red velvet seats, adorned with intricate embroidery and gold embellishments. Crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceiling, casting shimmering reflections on the assembled audience, a dazzling symphony of sequins and silks. The atmosphere buzzes with excited chatter and whispers, a symphony of anticipation for the start of the show. I see elegant gentlemen and ladies, their faces painted in shades of rose and lilac, fanning themselves with feathers and lace. My oh my, how Parisian they are!
As the lights dim, and the music begins, you could hear a pin drop in the hush that descended over the room. I adjust my pink satin gloves, take a deep breath and settle in for an extraordinary show.
"Le Déserteur" is, for its time, remarkably different. We are introduced to a cast of vibrant, fully-formed characters – a soldier caught in a web of love, a conflicted parent, and a plot that is woven with real emotion and pathos.
I could watch for hours as the dancers come alive – the ballerina in her diaphanous gown, the graceful yet athletic movements of the young man. Their emotions are expressed with a clarity and conviction that captivates me completely. Their costumes are elaborate, a masterpiece of intricate detail and elaborate tailoring, reflecting their character with great sophistication. Imagine, my lovely readers, this new style of dance telling a story; what an exciting way to explore emotion and character development through movement! This is more than simply dancing - it is an artform that pulls you in. It's theatrical and captivating!
Now, I know what you're thinking: “Emma, this is fantastic, but where’s the tutu?!” I know, I know, dears! It is the year 1742, after all, and the concept of the tutu as we know it, with its playful frills and delightful shape, wouldn't arrive for quite some time! But never fear, lovelies – as I travelled through time, I learned some incredible things about the beginnings of this fabulous fashion. It turns out the tutus that became the symbols of our beautiful art form started as quite simple, practical pieces.
It wasn't until the 1830s that ballet started embracing the elegance of shorter skirts that allowed for wider movements and graceful jumps! Can you imagine? And the modern-day tutus we see today, my dears, these works of art, with their layers of tulle and delicate embellishments, came to the stage a little later – we are talking the mid-to-late 19th century. These dramatic transformations of the tutu, through various styles and evolution, show how ballet truly changes with the times. What is a constant, of course, is the timeless elegance, artistry and incredible athleticism that only a ballet can embody!
Oh, darling, the time for my return to our world is almost upon us. As I exit the Theatre du Marais and re-board my pink sparkling Shire horse, I can’t help but smile at how even a world of grand, long dresses and powdered wigs could produce a revolutionary new way of expressing and sharing the magic of storytelling and emotion. And while the ballerina’s on that Parisian stage may have not been dancing in tutus, their movements had such grace, fluidity, and expressive power. It truly reminds me, my dear readers, that true ballet – just like the magic of tutus, that can make you twirl with glee – is timeless, beautiful and an unforgettable joy that touches us all in ways that transcend space and time.
Don’t forget, lovelies, visit www.pink-tutu.com to discover the wonders of the world through the magic of ballet! And be sure to join me next month, when we take on a thrilling new historical adventure! Au revoir, my darlings, and may your week be filled with sparkly tutus, and beautiful ballet dreams!
Lots of love,
Emma xx
