Hello lovelies, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your monthly dose of ballet history and fabulous pink tutus! It's me, Emma, and this month, we're stepping back in time to 7th July 1780! Can you believe it, we're whisking you away to the late 18th century, where powdered wigs, panniers, and elaborate choreography were all the rage!
This is post number 1435 on Pink-Tutu.com, and for this trip, Magic Meg and I decided to hop on a carriage for a bit, she still prefers to fly around the countryside! (It's easier for her to carry the massive sacks of pink tulle I collect for my next tutu creation... 😉). She always takes me to the most exciting historical places and it's no wonder why this time! We’re in for a whirlwind tour of some incredible ballet history. Grab your pinkest tutus, ladies, we're diving in!
Now, as I always say, my passion is spreading the joy of ballet! The way we can create a story just with our bodies is simply mesmerising, don't you think? My travels, funded by performing, have taken me around the globe. Seeing audiences mesmerised by my performances, their faces beaming with excitement, just brings me so much happiness. It reminds me of what dance means - joy, expression, a shared language. That's why my big mission, apart from spreading the gospel of the pink tutu, is to bring ballet to everyone, everywhere, in every time! That means even the folks from 1780 - a time of powdered wigs and revolutionary fervor!
We had to be incredibly discreet at this time, my darlings! After all, tutus weren't exactly the thing for the elegant balls back then! I was travelling as a 'society lady,' all fancy dresses and embroidered silks, with Magic Meg, disguised as a noble steed with golden hooves and a shimmering mane and tail - naturally, just for the special occasion! This wasn't our typical sparkly dance wear!
Speaking of dance wear, imagine my joy at arriving in London for the very first performance at the newly built King’s Theatre, Haymarket! Now, I don't mean just any show - we’re talking the incredible "La Griselda!" 🎼 The theatre was practically a cathedral of dramatic flair, bursting with plush velvet and grand chandeliers.
This was the very beginning of ballet history as we know it! And to think, just one decade earlier, opera houses like this were struggling to hold up. They had barely enough money to keep going. It really was a dance of fate! You wouldn't believe how exciting it was, feeling that wave of energy, knowing we were about to see something special. And it was! The choreography, based on a real life tale, focused on love, betrayal, and the power of female strength - just the sort of ballet story I adore!
While watching "La Griselda," it really hit me that even though centuries have passed, ballet's emotional language remains universal. I saw a glimpse of the passion, beauty, and the heartbreaking tales that would influence generations of ballets to come. Even with different costumes, music, and theatrical styles, the underlying stories about love and loss never quite faded.
During my travels in this period, I had the chance to discover that, in the 18th century, ballet was quite a popular subject! Even ordinary people seemed to be crazy about this new-fangled form of entertainment. It was everywhere, like a delicious, theatrical trend! They had special "Ballet Manuals", imagine a sort of history book, but dedicated just to ballet! This told people how the dancers practiced, what they wore, and what kind of music was played for different kinds of dances! The manuals gave a detailed look into the lives of these dancers - what a privilege it must be to create such a valuable guide for those who loved the ballet, don't you think?
Did I mention that I always pick up some little ballet treasures during my travels? You can bet I grabbed a Ballet Manual for myself, along with a few historical pamphlets that told fascinating stories of ballets from that period. My bag is overflowing with historical finds from this era, tucked safely in my leather rucksack ready to inspire me when I get back to the present! There's even a delicate silk handkerchief tucked in a hidden pocket - perfect for my next costume creation!
The history of ballet during the 1780s isn't all just about dance, my lovelies! That's the thing about travelling in time, it always gives you an extra dose of knowledge. This period had intense societal changes! Just think of how much is happening in the world - a growing movement demanding independence, revolution on the horizon - all against a backdrop of societal norms.
There were still so many ways, ballet was struggling for recognition. People still weren't entirely sure how to take it seriously - just like my dear friend Beatrice (a pink tutu loving ballet enthusiast like myself! Who would have thought we would share the same name!) reminded me - it was just starting to grow in popularity at that time! And the roles were limited to ladies like myself who could dance but didn’t yet have the opportunity to share our talent freely in this revolutionary era. But I can tell you, even during these times, it held an irresistible pull.
And now, the main point of this historical jaunt! How about our time-traveling outfit?! Imagine me, gracefully strutting through the bustling streets of London, in a delicate shade of powdered pink, all frills and feathers. Yes, a pink tutu! It’s a bold look, wouldn't you say, a dash of modern flare against the backdrop of elegant yet traditional garb. Imagine the bewildered looks! But even so, it was all part of my ballet advocacy mission to spread joy, style, and, of course, my favorite shade, pink.
Think about it, darling, just like the revolutionary ideas sweeping the world, wearing pink can change how people see things. It’s a statement, a revolution, a tiny little dance of difference against the status quo! The perfect mix of elegance and daringness!
After our little tour, we’re heading back home. It's amazing to see how ballet has always had its ups and downs, it's had its grand performances and times when it needed support, but it continues to shine.
For now, we'll have to leave 1780. But remember my darlings, just as the elegant dancers from the past inspire me, so will I inspire all the dance enthusiasts out there!
As I often say, in a world of dreams and glitter, pink is more than just a colour! It’s a feeling! And every ballerina, past, present, and future, has the potential to shine.
Until next time, my loves! I leave you with this, think pink, think ballet, think big, and embrace your inner dancer!
Much love, Emma 💖
www.pink-tutu.com
