Hello my darling ballet lovers! 💖 It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, and I'm thrilled to share another delightful journey with you. As always, this is post number 1286 on my time travel blog, www.pink-tutu.com. This month, we're whisking back to the vibrant year of 1768, a time when ballet was blossoming and sparking hearts around the world! Buckle up and let Magic Meg, my darling pink shimmering shire with golden hooves and a mane like spun white silk, take us on a dance through history!
London's Theatres Alive with Ballet!
It's February 2nd, 1768, and the streets of London are alive with the energy of ballet! I've just stepped out of a carriage near the grand Covent Garden Theatre, a stone's throw from the bustling Drury Lane, which just last year was a focal point for opera. These were exciting times for ballet and theatre! The air is crisp, and a faint hint of chimney smoke mingles with the scent of lavender from a nearby flower stall. It's exhilarating!
A Peek Inside the Theatre
My senses are buzzing with excitement as I find myself in the bustling theatre foyer, the walls adorned with portraits of iconic dancers. My backpack is already full with snippets of theatre history I've just collected!
Tonight, it's a ballet performance, and I'm so looking forward to experiencing it through the eyes of the 18th century! There's such a raw passion in the air - a feeling that anything is possible! A young ballerina, Marie, rushes by in her powder-puff white dress. "How I adore performing," she breathes to me. I find myself captivated by her genuine excitement. This is what ballet is about - expressing yourself through movement.
A Royal Command Performance
There's a whisper on the breeze - there's a royal command performance happening at the Palace, for King George III himself! Now this is the stuff of fairytales! I'm desperate to get a peek! I know just the spot.
"Adieu, mademoiselle!" I exclaim, taking a hasty farewell from Marie. I need to find my way to the royal palace, and a quick trot through the heart of London on Magic Meg is the way to go. The horse clops confidently on cobblestones as I weave through the streets, my pink tutu flowing in the air!
Fashionable Fashion
Ah, the clothes! They're simply glorious! From elaborate powdered wigs to richly coloured, form-fitting gowns, the ladies are resplendent. It seems everyone is wearing "Le Peau de Chèvre" - a soft kidskin leather-looking fabric - a Parisian trend! The gents are adorned in brocade, satin, and powdered wigs as well! There's a certain grace and flair about their style that just begs for a twirl!
Meeting the Stars
In a moment of time travel serendipity, I bumped into an aspiring ballerina, Anna, in the city. She's been studying at the esteemed ballet school near the Strand, which we learned has recently moved across the road to new studios on Cecil Street. Such exciting news! "My dream is to dance at the Paris Opera!" she proclaims.
She has been told to study with the French choreographer Noverre, so I hope she will get her chance.
As we walk through London, her enthusiasm inspires me!
I love hearing the dreams of aspiring dancers. It's such a thrill to be part of their journeys, and I just know I'll be coming back to this vibrant era for many more visits.
A Tutu for Every Occasion
Anna is enthralled when she hears my story about how I travel back in time on Magic Meg! Her dream is to have her own tutu made for the ballet school! She loves the colour pink, so she's delighted when I share my own dream - that everyone, from Paris to London to beyond, will wear pink tutus someday! I show her the beautiful tutus from my collection, my "Backpack of Ballet," that I always carry with me when I'm on my travels. I promise to keep her inspired by leaving her one of my vintage pink tutus.
Until Next Time, My Dearest Ballet Lovers!
I must bid you farewell for now, dear readers! There is so much more I want to tell you about my trip. But you'll have to wait until next month's post when I reveal more about 1768! Remember, "If you can dream it, you can do it", so get out there and make your dreams happen!
Keep those tutus spinning, my lovelies,
Your Time-Travelling Pink Tutu Blogger, Emma 🩰💖
