Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! It's your favourite ballerina blogger Emma here, ready to whisk you off on another magical journey through history.
This month, I'm taking us back to 11th November, 1758. The air is crisp and cool, the leaves are turning fiery red and gold, and the smell of wood smoke hangs heavy in the air - oh, how I love autumn! But before I tell you all about this amazing trip, let's grab a cup of tea and a delicious slice of cake.
So, today, Magic Meg (yes, my pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a flowing white mane and tail!) has transported me back to the 18th century! I am wearing, of course, my signature pink tutu - it just makes travelling through time so much more glamorous.
The World of Ballet in 1758
Now, 1758 was a significant year in ballet history. You see, it was the year that the first ballet school in England, the Academy of Dancing, was established. It was founded by Charles Le Picq, a French dancer who arrived in London in 1736, and I bet it was a total buzz to be part of it!
Imagine the excitement! New choreography, beautiful costumes - it must have been an exciting time for budding ballerinas, even without the use of pointe shoes, which didn't come into the picture for another hundred years. The fact that there were actual women on stage (and not just men, as was the case before this time) makes 1758 even more special. It was an era of innovation and excitement, with dancers constantly striving to push the boundaries of what was possible in their art.
Speaking of innovation, did you know that ballet slippers in this era were often adorned with bows, jewels, and even flowers? Imagine the possibilities! So much to choose from! It makes me wonder if my lovely pink tutu wouldn't look even better with a touch of sparkle.
My Magical Journey: Discovering Ballet’s Roots
On this trip, I’ve been spending my days soaking up all the ballet history. It was thrilling to step into the Royal Opera House back when it was Drury Lane Theatre, and see a performance of the Beggar's Opera , a comedic masterpiece which took inspiration from the Italian Commedia dell'Arte style. There's just something so exhilarating about ballet and theatre from this era. The costumes! The storylines! It all makes me want to whirl across the stage with pure joy.
But my favourite part of this trip was definitely visiting the Academy of Dancing! The dancing hall, a glorious, wood-panelled space, is filled with young ballerinas, practising their techniques, each movement infused with grace and passion. It was truly inspiring! The girls I met are incredibly talented and driven, eager to learn and improve. And what they lacked in pointe shoes, they more than made up for with energy, dedication, and their genuine love of ballet. It's moments like this that make me realise the powerful and enduring legacy of ballet, spanning centuries and inspiring generations of artists and lovers of the art form.
My Backpack of Treasures
Now, I know what you're thinking! What are the ballet treasures I've stashed away in my leather backpack after my exciting trip? Well, it's brimming with wonderful ballet treasures from the 18th century.
There's a lovely hand-painted program from a performance of The Beggar’s Opera with the names of the original cast. Just thinking of their passion for the art form ignites my own inner ballerina spirit.
- I have an embroidered slipper that a young ballet student, I believe her name was Harriet, gave me as a token of gratitude. It's the sweetest, daintiest slipper imaginable and smells a little like honeysuckle and old leather. Just a whiff transports me right back to the Academy!
I've managed to snag a small dance diary kept by Madame Le Picq, the wife of the Academy of Dancing's founder, detailing their first years in London, all their struggles, their successes. The language may be different, but the passion for ballet shines through, as does a spirit of optimism and belief. The entries about Madame Le Picq's personal journey as a ballet student and then, her efforts in getting girls on stage in London is a beautiful piece of dance history.
But the best find, for my heart, is a small, beautifully carved wooden doll dressed in a simple but elegant gown with a small pink tutu. It used to be a dancing toy of young Miss Le Picq! And, you've guessed it! It now occupies a place of honour on my own dance floor at home. I just imagine Little Miss Le Picq dancing happily with this toy as she dreamed of someday performing on the grand stage herself!
Get Dressed for a Ballet Adventure
After my enchanting time travel adventures, my pink tutu is yearning to be out and about. And so, this weekend, I will be at the London Coliseum watching Giselle at the Royal Opera House, a classic story of love, loss, and forgiveness – a captivating masterpiece! There's nothing quite like being part of a ballet performance. The thrill of the music, the grace of the dancers, and the stories they tell.
Oh, and speaking of ballet shows! The Royal Ballet School will be putting on a special performance for its fundraising gala this weekend at the Albert Hall! My excitement knows no bounds. Can you believe this week has already seen two wonderful ballet happenings? It seems that my trip to 1758 was truly blessed.
Inspiring the Pink Tutu Movement
As always, dear reader, I leave you with a dose of inspiration to fuel your own ballet dreams! We all have that ballerina within us, waiting to be awakened! Remember that life is an adventure, so don't be afraid to embrace it with grace and passion! And always remember, there's a pink tutu waiting to become yours.
Next month, I'm off to a rather unexpected destination. It’s all shrouded in secrecy for now - a big surprise coming your way in the new year, lovelies! But if you have a special request, or a certain year you’d love me to travel to, then let me know. Just leave a message in the comments below and we’ll take the dance journey together! Until then, keep dancing!
Love, Emma
