Hey, my darlings! 💓 It’s Emma here, and guess what? We’re on another exciting adventure! Today, I'm stepping back in time, straight into December 12th, 1764. I can feel the festive cheer in the air as I adjust my perfectly pink tutu, its layers swirling around my knees like delicate candyfloss. Magic Meg, my beautiful pink sparkling Shire horse with her golden hooves, is whinnying excitedly at the ready. She seems to sense we are about to meet a piece of ballet history today, too!
Oh, the thrill of time travel! I'm feeling so inspired! I know, I know... you all must be thinking 'What could be so special about a random December 12th, years and years ago?!' Well, my dears, sometimes the most enchanting stories lie hidden in plain sight!
For starters, just imagine, the world back then, just after Christmas, when England is colder than a snowflake's kiss! In Derbyshire, my lovely hometown, the winter nights will be crisp and frosty. The cobblestone streets are blanketed in snow. And in a charming, warm tea room, surrounded by flickering candles and the scent of spiced cakes, we'll likely be able to warm our hands around a cup of steaming tea!
Now, on this very day, in London, where theatre lights are sparkling like a ballerina's diamonds, we have a rare and special treat. At the famous Drury Lane Theatre, there was a spectacular performance! It's a very special event, you see, as one of the most talented actresses and dancers, Miss Kitty Clive, would be playing the role of a young woman, a lady-in-waiting named Polly Peachum, in The Beggar’s Opera, which included delightful ballet elements.
Oh, imagine the elegance! Miss Clive's gowns will have been shimmering, embellished with all the glamour of the 18th century. The colours will have been breathtaking, rich velvet reds and shimmering silks, like a kaleidoscope of dancing stars. The costumes would have included long, elegant, powdered wigs and feathers! Can you imagine?! So stylish! This whole event feels incredibly elegant, just thinking about it.
As I trot through the busy, bustling, candlelit streets, I’ll be searching for a special treat. Back then, a popular snack, and a must-have for dancers after a performance, were sugar plums! They weren't like the candied fruits we eat today. Sugar plums were actually sugared, small plum-shaped almond-shaped candy drops, which had just a slight bitter-sweet tang, the perfect sweetness to complement a hot cup of tea. They were said to be a perfect little pick-me-up and provided much-needed energy for dancers in those times, much like energy bars today.
Of course, in my special leather rucksack, filled with treasures from time travel, I'll be carrying a delicate piece of pink lace, for inspiration. This day reminds me how important a part costume plays in ballet, for it gives each role a life of its own.
Tonight, we will dance the night away in the glittering streets of London, taking in the sights, sounds and stories that fill the night. I will be making new notes in my ballet journal. Oh, and a treat for the senses... there's a story told about this time, about the most sought after fragrance... the fragrance of jasmine, mixed with a hint of amber... and to my imagination, this scent embodies the glamour of 18th-century ballet in one magical aroma.
Let's dance to another day of ballet adventures! 💖💖
Catch you all on www.pink-tutu.com next month!
(Remember, darling, keep wearing your pink tutus! It is my lifelong goal that every single person in the world will wear a pink tutu at least once!)
Your favourite,
Emma xoxo
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