Hello my dearest tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your trusty pink-clad guide to the wondrous world of ballet through the ages. It's the 3rd of March 1784, and Magic Meg and I have just trotted through a shimmering portal (you wouldn't believe how long it took me to convince Meg to step into a portal made entirely of pink sequins, but we finally did it!) and landed ourselves in the bustling streets of 18th century London.
Now, 1784, you might think, wasn't the most glamorous era for ballet. But you'd be surprised! It was a time of incredible change, with new styles blossoming across Europe, just like my favourite rose garden back in Derbyshire! We are entering a time of transition, where ballet was stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight, much like myself after an exhilarating pirouette!
Let's just say the tutu I've packed this time isn't exactly "tutu" ready, but more of a lovely "Rococo" affair with ruffles galore. Imagine a gown made of silk and chiffon, swishing and swirling as you move. I even paired it with a dainty pair of pink ballet slippers - a truly lovely touch of colour, just as all things ballet should be.
Right, before I get distracted by the delicious smelling pastry shop on the corner (hello, lavender macarons!), let me tell you about my journey and why 3rd March 1784 was such a significant date.
A Parisian Premier: "La Fille Mal Gardée"As you know, my favourite thing to do is experience ballet from different time periods. So, I just had to see the first Parisian performance of “La Fille Mal Gardée", or "The Ill-Guarded Girl". Can you imagine? A beautiful French premiere, complete with a love story, feuding families, and delightful dances!
The whole theatre was aglow with candlelight, and even the chandelier was draped in delicate ribbons – all sorts of delightful shades of pink! (As you can imagine, I couldn’t resist snagging a tiny pink feather from the chandelier's cascade for my ballet rucksack).
The ballet itself was charming. Think frolicking in the fields, dances at village fêtes, and romantic waltzes. It really captured the playful charm of the countryside. There were moments of comedic humour too, like when the father tries to stop his daughter's romance with the young farmer, and you're all like “aww, just let them love!”
This premiere was so well received, my lovelies, that "La Fille Mal Gardée" was performed time and again across Europe for the next 100 years! Isn't that amazing? A ballet that went on to captivate audiences for a whole century! I simply can't imagine a better legacy.
Fun fact: This very same "La Fille Mal Gardée" was eventually adapted by the legendary choreographer, Marius Petipa, and is still performed today! (I’ll be sure to see it next month when we visit 19th century St Petersburg…I can’t wait to see the stunning Imperial ballet in all its glory! My collection needs those ballet shoes, darling!)
Exploring The Streets Of LondonSpeaking of strolling through the streets, London in 1784 was simply breathtaking! The cobblestone streets sparkled under the sun, the air filled with the aromas of chimney smoke and baking bread – it was a city abuzz with energy.
We did, of course, have to stop by The King's Theatre (I do adore a good grand theatre entrance, don’t you?)! They had amazing theatrical shows, but back in these times, they had some amazing costumes and elaborate set pieces!
I simply had to find some remnants of a fancy dress – well, actually I did. An amazing bit of pink lace fell off a discarded costume while I was having a conversation with the theatre’s resident seamstress (another lovely story I must tell you all about). It's safely tucked into my rucksack, just waiting for the day I’ll add a touch of that 18th century magic to one of my ballet dresses.
We also visited The Pantheon – an elegant grand concert hall, where music, art and performance fused into a stunning experience! Think a bit of baroque beauty paired with that gorgeous candlelit atmosphere that everyone raves about in historical fiction… truly something special!
P.S. I even met a man selling pink feathered fans outside of the Pantheon (you simply can’t resist those delicate feathers!). This sparked my love for fans even more – perhaps that's why I make it a point to carry one everywhere I go (and you should too!). They make every performance a bit more elegant and a bit more magical.
Pink-tastic Musings From A Ballerina’s DiaryI confess, I've spent the past couple of weeks researching 18th-century ballet fashions and you know what? Pink was a vibrant color in the time of Marie Antoinette and everyone loves Marie, right? Pink in that era was like a beacon of elegance and it even represented youthful charm – something we should always embrace. I was thrilled to learn that pink had a place even back then, proving that my dedication to pink tutus transcends time!
Don't worry my darlings, my pink tutu isn’t missing out! It's still with me, safely stored within the enchanted world of my rucksack. Though it is a tad bit hidden, I shall surely grace you with an enchanting twirl as soon as I have found a safe space and my lovely horse has found her treats (those are an important part of traveling with Meg, you know, it’s essential for good behaviour).
And, since we’re talking about magical things… let me remind you of my most recent dance routine (the one with the pink ballet fans!). Have you seen it on my website yet? It’s just as delightful as our journey today, and I bet you won’t be able to resist a pink tutu twirl afterward!
Now, I must dash! I’ve promised to catch a carriage with some lovely fellow dance enthusiasts. After all, one must always embrace a shared love of ballet and spread the joy of pink tutus (which I'll be doing by donating a tutu and a bag of sweets to the local orphans today!). I promise you a wonderful and heartwarming story all about it in the next post!
Until next time, don’t forget to dream in pink tutus!
Lots of love and graceful pirouettes,
Emma x
Don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to see Emma's latest dance routines, fashion tips and everything you ever wanted to know about ballet. You can even ask Emma your questions there and share your thoughts about ballet with a growing community of pink-tutu loving dance enthusiasts.
