Hello darlings! It's Emma here, and oh, the joy! I've just had the most magical time travel adventure to August 8th 1784, and my heart is still overflowing with excitement. Magic Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling shire with golden hooves, and I, dressed in a billowing, pale pink tutu and a fetching feathered fascinator, made our way through the portal to witness a true piece of ballet history in the making.
I do believe August 8th, 1784, holds a rather special significance in the grand story of ballet, you see. This date marked the very first time the word "ballet" appeared in a London newspaper. Imagine, darlings! All those swirling skirts and nimble feet, but no fancy term for it yet. I must say, the ladies of that era had quite a bit of catching up to do in the vocabulary department.
But oh, before I go further, a little glimpse into my travels, if you please. As we trotted through the centuries, the Derbyshire landscape of England turned into bustling, cobbled streets and gentle hillsides peppered with picturesque thatched cottages. Imagine, darlings, the sound of carriage wheels on the cobblestones, and the warm scent of baking bread wafting through the air. A truly enchanting journey!
And that is where the magic began, darlings! The very first public performance of the Ballet d'Action was taking place at the Haymarket Theatre in London. Such a dramatic event! Think intricate dances set to music with intricate plot lines - not unlike our beloved ballets today! They were already calling it a "dramatic ballet" – imagine, a whole genre with its very own name! It had to be just spectacular!
My bagpack was overflowing with sketches of the beautiful, though rather austere, costumes. I've found such lovely drawings in a dusty bookstore in Covent Garden. I can tell they've used yards upon yards of silks, brocades, and satins! It reminded me of the costumes at a recent ballet I attended where they had the most stunning designs and exquisite detail! Oh, how I would love to own a set of silk panto- shoes from this era, darling, but those will have to be a wish for another time travel trip!
Just like now, in 1784, ballet wasn’t simply about graceful movements and stunning costumes; it was a reflection of the social life and political movements of the times, much like fashion is now, darlings. Think 'The Sleeping Beauty' with its fairytale characters and stories of adventure, much like those the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, or Birmingham Royal Ballet perform today!
And oh, just to remind you, my dear darlings, my life mission is to get all the lovely ladies around the world wearing pink tutus! Just like me. Think of it, darlings - a world filled with delicate shades of rose, peach, or even lavender, twirling with joyous abandon! The dream itself feels rather magical. I can picture it all in my mind now. You might call me "the pink tutu lady", darlings, but I like to think I'm inspiring the world, one tutu at a time!
But darling, don't forget my love of ballet's fascinating history! It takes me to incredible places – through time and all around the world! There is such an exciting ballet calendar out there, from the graceful elegance of classic ballets to the modern, bold performances, and all that ballet has to offer from ballet schools to the professional stages. There is just so much out there waiting to be discovered! It is our passion for the beautiful art of ballet that keeps us twirling!
Just as in 1784, when the "ballet" took the stage, and took on a new identity, so too has the world of ballet moved forward. Ballet itself has always been in constant evolution and that, my darlings, is something to be cherished!
Keep twirling, and do join me in my next journey as we discover yet another milestone in our beloved ballet history. I'll be waiting on www.pink-tutu.com next month, dressed in the brightest shade of pink imaginable! Don't forget to join me in the fun and tell your friends!
Until next time, my darlings,
Emma.
