Hello my darling dancers! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels!
December is here, the air is crisp and cold, the Christmas spirit is swirling like snowflakes in a winter wonderland. But my heart is set on warmer climes, for this month we're travelling to… drumroll… 1771!
It’s time to dust off my favourite pink tulle tutu, the one with the sparkling diamantes and the perfectly-shaped bustle. Magic Meg, my faithful pink shimmering Shire steed with her golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, is pawing the ground with impatience, ready to whisk me through the time portal. This time, we’re going to witness ballet history unfold… in the French capital, the heart of the world's cultural scene, PARIS! 🇫🇷
You see, my darlings, while I love my Derbyshire home, I am eternally drawn to the allure of the Parisian stage! So, on this glorious 12th of December in 1771, we are setting foot (or rather, hoof) on French soil for a delightful double-bill:
First, a little something for those who are keen to see what Parisian fashion and ballet are like this December in 1771: a little shopping trip. Now, imagine this, my lovely dancers – a little boutique nestled on Rue de la Paix. Silk brocades in emerald and turquoise, velvets the colour of deepest plum, delicate lace, and ruffles abound, all sparkling under a crystal chandelier! I’ll be getting myself a darling pink silk scarf with silver embroidery, of course – it'll look positively divine against a fluffy, pastel pink bouffant hairdo! 💖
Oh, and let's not forget the shoes! Imagine shoes of softest kid leather, hand-painted with floral motifs, adorned with buckles of silver or even gold! A little extravagant perhaps, but for a ballerina, there's nothing more fitting than shoes that can dance, don't you think?
But let’s get back to the ballet!
What’s On Tonight?
The night’s main attraction is a performance at the Théâtre des Tuileries. Now, I’ve been told the story of this lovely old theatre: it was actually a theatre built within the royal palace! Can you imagine? Dancing in the very heart of Parisian power and glamour?
What will they be performing? You ask! Oh, darling, how exciting is this: a ballet in three acts by the genius, Jean-Georges Noverre, a true pioneer of ballet who was all about emotion and natural movements – none of those stuffy, stiff positions! This particular work, “Psyche, or the Loves of Cupid”, is just ripe with symbolism and breathtaking choreography, which they tell me was inspired by mythology! Now, this is my kind of ballet!
Speaking of ballet and fashion – just wait until you hear what I hear about the costumes! Imagine dancing a story of a nymph pursued by Eros himself, clothed in the finest silken costumes, perhaps draped in feathers or sparkling with rhinestones! I do hope we can get some photos with a local ballet troupe – I just love seeing how fashion is woven into ballet. 💖
Oh, and have you heard of a man named Pierre Gardel? Apparently, this fascinating individual, was already starting to make waves as a star of the French ballet stage. I’ve been told he's graceful, athletic, and captivating – almost as much as my Magic Meg! We'll have to keep a lookout for this talented man.
Of course, any trip to 1771 wouldn't be complete without a peek at the world of ballet history, and this journey has definitely provided some! Just think, the seeds of what we now consider "ballet" were firmly being sown right at this very moment in time, and these were crucial decades of development for our beloved art form! I love knowing that my little pink tutu is twirling across centuries, helping to shape and spread the magic of dance!
Speaking of magic, darling, you know I wouldn’t have it any other way! 🩰
Until next time, keep dancing and keep your dreams sparkling!
Emma
P.S. Did you know that my travel fund is fuelled by my own performances! That’s right, you can catch me waltzing through time while earning the resources to explore even more fantastic periods in ballet history. Come see my show next month at the local theatre, and we can even have a lovely cuppa and discuss ballet in the lobby afterwards! ☕️
www.pink-tutu.com
