Hello, darling dears! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we take a trip down ballet's shimmering, swirling, utterly enchanting history lane. This month, grab your pink tutus, a spot of Earl Grey, and join me as we waltz back to 9th September, 1751.
Oh, my dear friends, 1751! Can you imagine it? Just picture the streets of London, cobbled and bustling with carriages, all powdered wigs and frocks with farthingales. It's a scene straight out of a Jane Austen novel, but in this world of elegance, there's something even more delightful brewing... ballet! And this is where my trusty Magic Meg comes in! She's a true vision: a pink, sparkling Shire horse with hooves as golden as the sun, a flowing white mane, and a coat so dazzling, it outshines the diamonds of a duchess. I have to admit, when I first met Meg in the Derbyshire countryside, my heart skipped a beat. "You're just what I need for these historical escapades," I thought to myself, stroking her velvety nose.
Now, as for our adventure on this most excellent day in 1751: The air hums with the anticipation of an upcoming performance. Why? It’s a ballet spectacle at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. Yes! It's where all the excitement is. Now, let’s chat about some historical nuggets you'll love! This was the era of Jean-Georges Noverre, the "Father of Ballet"!
Let's see, shall we? Noverre was the one to advocate for a deeper connection between storytelling and dance, adding dramatic elements to what had been mainly pure movements. And yes, in the audience are the likes of Dr. Samuel Johnson, and even royalty! They are there to experience ballet as an art form that could enthrall them, that could move them.
That’s the kind of spirit I truly admire, and that’s what motivates me, right here in 2023, to take ballet everywhere, even across centuries! Speaking of which, I managed to catch a peek of the programme that night - oh, the thrill! They were showcasing an original work, a pantomime titled 'Harlequin's Vagaries'. Now, pantomimes were huge in 1751 - the story follows Harlequin, a character in commedia dell'arte (think of Italian comedic street theatre) going through all sorts of adventures. What a wonderfully whimsical time it was to be alive!
The scene in the theatre was a flurry of velvet, silk, and satin. A sea of faces, eager to be transported to another world, another story, another realm where dance took centre stage. Now, while the fashions were utterly charming – think bouffant hairstyles, layers of lace and lace ruffles, powdered wigs, and rich, colourful brocades, it made me miss a bit of modern style! You know I couldn’t resist adding a touch of my own pink flair – a sparkly bow on my bodice here, a dash of pink around the hem of my dress there! Why settle for the mundane when we have all of this amazing history at our fingertips?
This entire experience left me, oh, just brimming with ideas! This historical journey reminds me of how dance truly is a language understood by everyone, transcending time and cultures! Even now, as I am penning this blog post in my tiny corner of Derbyshire, the music of that 1751 ballet echoes in my heart. And wouldn't you know it, a few nights ago, while dancing at the London ballet, a woman approached me in a pink tutu, saying that my blog inspired her to try wearing it, ahem! Just imagine, one of the ballerinas in the Royal Ballet has just purchased a pink tutu and now she wants to find the pinkest dance shoes to wear with it!
In my rucksack, right beside the feather boas and silk fans I snatched from that night at Drury Lane, lies a precious note I collected that evening. It was a letter, written by a gentleman who had just attended the performance of 'Harlequin's Vagaries'. In a scrawled hand, he wrote about the enchantment, the sheer beauty of the dance that moved him. That's what I aim for, my friends! I want to enchant the world, one pirouette at a time.
And, my dearest readers, before I go, a reminder that the world of ballet is full of hidden treasures. Remember to support your local dance company. If you are feeling daring and fabulous, put on your pinkest tutu and let's have a whirl together. You can catch my ballet performances across London, and I'll post about those events on my website, www.pink-tutu.com, so you can all be the first to know.
So, until next time, keep those tutus spinning, and remember - with a little bit of magic, the world of ballet can truly be a kaleidoscope of joy and wonder!
Yours in pink and sparkles,
Emma
