#BalletHistory during 1746 08 August

Hello, fellow ballet enthusiasts! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, where we journey through time, exploring the captivating world of ballet from ages past. It’s August already, can you believe it? Where has the summer flown to? Oh well, it just gives me more time to put together my gorgeous outfits. I was lucky enough to catch "La Fille Mal Gardée" in Covent Garden last week and I just have to tell you about my new ballet fashion find! I stumbled across a little shop selling exquisite pink velvet and I knew straight away I had to get my hands on it. It’s absolutely stunning, I plan to make it into a brand-new tutu for my next time travel adventure.

Now, settle in, pour yourselves a cuppa, grab your favourite ballet shoes, and let's delve into the wonderful world of ballet in 1746. Remember, we’re exploring with our trusted steeds: the fabulous, sparkling, pink shire horse with golden hooves, Magic Meg, and my leather rucksack for collecting all those wonderful treasures! This month, we're venturing back to 1746, and it’s exciting – did you know the King George II Ballet Company were in their prime?

Imagine this: I am whisked away to 1746 London. I am stepping out of my magical pink shire horse-drawn carriage, feeling the fresh air on my face and smelling the pungent aroma of wood smoke and freshly baked bread, just the scent of the street for a true Victorian time traveller.

Of course, my dazzling, perfectly pink, handcrafted, tutu and my matching sparkly shoes complete my outfit, turning heads everywhere. After all, I’m on a mission! I want to inspire the world to dance in tutus, pink, and fabulousness. Every step is a show!

Oh, the wonder of a 1746 theatre! Covent Garden was still in its relative infancy then. Think of it! The grand old theatre we know today – the home of so much dramatic history. It was so young in 1746, a beautiful haven for theatre, dance and, of course, ballet. It’s no wonder ballet and dance was flourishing in this beautiful, artistic time!

As I step inside the theatre, it's just magical. All that glittering candlelight – it is as if the entire building is alight with magic and shimmering possibilities. A sense of anticipation and excitement ripples through the audience as they await the ballet. Everyone dressed in their finery. And of course, there is a special sense of glamour with all those beautiful silk and satin dresses! And of course, those lovely gents looking handsome in their top hats and waistcoats, which you just know were tailor-made. I couldn’t help but slip my little rucksack off my shoulders to add a gorgeous lace handkerchief and a fan with pearl accents for later. I imagine the elegant women waving those pearl fans, trying to fan away the candlelit heat in the stuffy theatre.

But you know what? That didn’t dampen their excitement, for ballet and the drama of the theatre is in their blood! The ballet that night, it was by François le Camus, the "Danseur Principal", one of the great artists of the age, and renowned for his exquisite technique and ability to move as gracefully as the legendary birds themselves – think a peacock on pointe with perfect extensions. The audience thrilled with each graceful leap, every delicate pose. Just wonderful.

Do you know, in 1746, the theatre really felt like a social event, much more than it is now. People loved the drama, the performance, but they loved to dress up too, meet their friends. Just think of those enchanting candlelit nights, enjoying every moment together – a shared joy.

This beautiful historical ballet really brought this 1746 period to life.

Here’s an exciting discovery. In 1746, ballet was a much larger part of the social calendar – it was on tap just about everywhere in the higher echelons of society. They went to concerts, ballrooms and theatres.

Of course, there were many important ballet moments to celebrate during 1746, from the royal weddings and birthdays, even in that austere period of history. The ballet was a welcome respite from those turbulent times.

This 1746, fashion felt all about luxury, even during those harsh wartime times. The women all loved to dance and of course they were wearing the grandest dresses imaginable. Just think, imagine the gorgeous pastel-colored dresses and silks that just flowed on stage with every movement – it is all about flowing lines in those early, romantic periods! I am all about pink but lavender, soft blue and green. So much soft romance in their movements.

One thing that struck me was that while the fashions were quite grand, the ballet style felt simple and less about the big theatrical gestures that we nowadays associate with classical ballet. It was all about beauty, refinement, fluidity and those delightful arabesques. The ballet dancers weren't in huge grand costumes as you would find in the Victorian era, all that glitz, glitter and embellishment, and yet they had a beautiful aesthetic that spoke volumes – and I must admit I am rather partial to a simple dress, myself! But we’ve got our time travel costumes to consider. It just makes good sense – we don't want to draw attention to ourselves!

Well, there you have it. Time for me to gallop off into the sunset on Magic Meg – I think our next stop is France! Who knows what wonders await me in those enchanting salons of Parisian culture.

Stay tuned to my blog, Pink Tutu Travels! And, remember my mission! Wear Pink! Wear a Tutu!

Until next time, Emma!

www.pink-tutu.com