Hello darling dears! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time traveller, ready to whisk you off on another dazzling adventure! This month, I've traded my usual Derbyshire fields for the bustling streets of 18th-century London. Oh, the sights! The sounds! The fashion! Honestly, the powdered wigs and hoop skirts are almost as impressive as my own glorious pink tutu, wouldn't you agree? 😉
Now, you might be wondering why we've landed in London on September 9th, 1781? Well, dear readers, it just so happens that this was a very special date in the history of ballet!
As you know, I live for ballet, right? From the dainty grace of the classical repertoire to the bold excitement of a contemporary ballet street show, I adore it all. But this time travel journey wasn't about any performance in particular, but rather about a new beginning – the beginning of the Royal Ballet Company in England! Yes, it all started way back in 1781!
You see, King George III, bless his powdered wig, was a big fan of the ballet. He even had his own personal dancing master! The king thought England needed a proper national ballet company. So, with his royal decree, the Royal Ballet was born! Now, of course, it wasn't quite called "Royal Ballet" back then - it was called the "King's Theatre Ballet," but it was the first truly official ballet company in England! This company set the stage for all the incredible ballet we know and love today. How fabulous is that?
Imagine: 1781, the world buzzing with revolution, but also with the dawn of a new era of ballet in England. Can't you just picture the beautiful costumes and the intricate steps? Honestly, I was practically skipping around the streets of London with sheer delight!
Talking of costumes, darling dears, the 1780s was truly a time for grand and extravagant fashion! Now, while we don't see quite the same elaborate tutus yet (though, let's be honest, we're pushing for that - one day!), they did embrace dramatic silhouettes and lots of sparkle. Think long, flowing gowns with ruffles and sashes, accented by glittering jewels and even plumes of feathers! Oh, I must have spent an hour swooning over a particularly elaborate bodice at one of London's most esteemed shops – truly the kind of timeless elegance that never goes out of style!
The people I met during my time travel were as charming as the fashion! So much lovely chatter and delightful conversation. One lovely gentleman, an aspiring playwright (who confessed he rather fancies the theatre but dreams of writing his own ballets – how incredibly charming!), even mentioned a performance of the "Harlequin" at Covent Garden. A comic pantomime ballet featuring slapstick and amazing acrobatics? Absolutely my cup of tea! It's delightful to discover that even back then, they embraced comedy and theatre alongside the more formal elements of the ballet.
Now, wouldn't you just love to be here with me? Imagine the incredible experiences, the magnificent costumes, and the truly captivating performances – all set against the backdrop of London in the late 18th century! Perhaps, if you wear your very own pink tutu while reading this, you can feel the magic for yourself? Don't forget, a touch of pink can transport you anywhere, just as it transports me through time! 😉
As always, my darling dears, you can join me on my next adventure next month on pink-tutu.com, when we explore another amazing date in the grand, glittering world of ballet history. But until then, stay sparkling!
Yours in pink,
Emma 💕
