Hello, darlings! Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballet enthusiast. This month's adventure takes us back to 10th October 1770, a date rich in ballet history. Grab your teacups, ladies, and let's step back in time!
As always, I was thrilled to ride Magic Meg, my magnificent pink-sparkling Shire horse with the most beautiful golden hooves and white mane and tail. Today, Meg knew the way - she practically galloped us towards the bustling streets of London. It's fascinating how quickly the world has changed!
Our destination: The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Back in 1770, it was the very hub of London theatre and, indeed, the epicentre of ballet in the British Isles. Imagine - no ballet schools, no YouTube tutorials, just the theatre itself! You could learn ballet by watching the professionals and, goodness, did those professionals know how to dance!
Today was a special day: the Royal Ballet was presenting the brand-new pantomime, "The Magic of the Ballet." I'd been saving up for weeks for my tickets, and I couldn't have been more excited. This, my dears, was going to be a historic event!
The Theatre was brimming with the most glamorous ladies and gentlemen of London. They all looked positively dashing in their finest gowns and powdered wigs. Of course, I stood out in my pink tutu. It was positively sparkling against the backdrop of 18th-century fashion. A gentleman actually asked if I was a fairy – how charming! He just couldn't believe a tutu could exist! It’s clear that pink tutus hadn’t quite taken the world by storm back then. Oh well, just one more person to convert!
"The Magic of the Ballet" itself was a true spectacle! The music, the costumes, the graceful movement! It was like stepping into a dream world! This pantomime, you see, featured an enchanted forest filled with mischievous sprites, cunning goblins, and, of course, a charming, albeit slightly grumpy, Fairy Godmother who reminded me terribly of my dear Aunt Penelope.
The performance was quite long, as was expected in the era of five-act plays! We enjoyed not just the dancing, but a thrilling dramatic story with romance, intrigue, and enough laughs to make my sides ache. Oh, how I wished my dear friend Beatrice had been able to travel with me today!
During intermission, I couldn’t help myself! The Royal Theatre had an impressive selection of pastries, a bit more sugary than what I'm used to in modern Derbyshire. While enjoying a lemon tart and a small glass of punch, I decided to sneak backstage for a peek.
Now, let's talk about those ballet costumes! Everything was hand-made, of course. They looked truly impressive - the women’s costumes were very elegant with beautiful satin and silk, adorned with glittering jewels. I managed to discreetly snag a thread from a ballet dancer’s shimmering fabric - a perfect souvenir for my ever-growing collection of ballet memorabilia! I also grabbed a beautiful, worn, faded playbill from a nearby gentleman, it would look stunning displayed at my home! Perhaps I’ll design a modern take on the beautiful hand painted costumes! I have a lovely idea for a light-weight silk and feather tutu inspired by the fantastical ballet costumes. Oh, I just cannot wait to design it!
After the final curtain fell and the audience gave a rousing applause (which included my own heartfelt cheers and an enthusiastic twirl in my pink tutu, much to the delight of the nearby children) we took a carriage back to my home in Derbyshire.
Despite a tiring journey, it's a night I’ll never forget! I truly love my time travel adventures and can’t wait for our next adventure. I hope this has inspired you, darling. Perhaps you could dress up in your own pink tutu and throw your very own pink tutu party. It could be quite the event! And don't forget to visit the pink-tutu.com website and join the conversation! I love hearing from my fellow pink-tutu lovers!
Until next month,
Emma
P.S Did you know? The French Revolution would happen 18 years after my trip to the Theatre Royal!
P.P.S. I'm fundraising for a brand new pair of pink-sequined ballet shoes, so if you'd like to support me and my journey, feel free to leave a donation at my online shop! Your contribution might even be enough for a lovely satin scarf!
