Hello fellow ballet enthusiasts! It's your favourite time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another scintillating story from the world of ballet. This month, I've popped my pink tutu and magic Meg's golden hooves onto the cobblestones of 10th October 1786. Imagine my excitement when I realised we're smack-dab in the midst of the reign of Louis XVI, a king famous for, among other things, his love of the ballet!
Now, I wouldn't call myself a history buff, I'm more interested in the evolution of dance and fashion. I mean, how many pink tutus did the ballet ladies have back then, huh? I bet their "ballet wardrobe" was nothing like mine! (If only I had a magical wardrobe bursting with all my favourite pink tutu ensembles...dreams). But even in the 18th century, there were some phenomenal ballerinas shaking their stuff - not literally of course, but you get the picture!
My backpack, the one I carry around like an essential accessory with my pink tutu (just a little sparkly, I'm not fussy!), is bulging with stories from the time. I must tell you, my dear readers, this was an exciting era for ballet. There was a flurry of activity in France. Just the other day, I had the privilege of catching a performance of the famed La Fille Mal Gardée - think a charming, country-themed story complete with playful mischief and a few sassy dance routines (though no leaps, just a whole lot of graceful movements, it was truly something else)!
And talking about sassy, one of the key ballerinas in France was the dazzling Marie Allard. Did you know, Marie actually founded the first Parisian ballet school! I can practically hear the students' laughter echoing down the centuries! That's a big deal! I swear I even heard her say, "Darling, this will be the first of many" in a French accent so chic! Can you believe it? This was the dawn of ballet education in France - it all started right here. And as for her style? My word, this lady was a vision in satin shoes and long, flowing skirts! I have to try and find some satin shoes for myself. I know I need a pair - if it was good enough for Marie Allard, it's good enough for me.
You know, I'm fascinated by the sheer elegance of 18th century ballet. Think of it - the dancers performed in rooms filled with the scent of powdered wigs, silks and velvet, the soft candlelight dancing across the polished wood floor as the music swept them into a romantic world of pirouettes and elegance. There were no flashing lights or dazzling screens in those days. It was just the magic of human movement and imagination. The audience would have been completely enthralled by the artistry of the dancers, and they would have been mesmerized by the beauty of the costumes and the elegance of the movements.
But back to the date: October 10th, 1786... ahem... It's a bit of a head-scratcher! Turns out it was not a day particularly noteworthy in ballet history. No big premier, no revolutionary dance choreography - although a new piece could be making its way to the Paris Opera stage (keep your eyes peeled for a tutu I saw in the workshops! It was a lovely lavender, a very fetching shade if you ask me. Almost pink! )... Still, you'll understand how I felt; I couldn't very well let the day pass without any sort of grand reveal. That's when Magic Meg, with that characteristic shimmer to her coat, nudged me towards a magnificent private performance held by a family with an enchanting manor in the countryside. You wouldn't believe the grandeur - a breathtaking dance performed just for us. My notebook is overflowing with details of the swirling fabrics, the grand chandelier casting its sparkling light on the polished floors... and of course, the ballerinas who brought the performance to life!
We even got to witness a charming ballet tradition - it involved a dance with delicate fans. My goodness, I think I saw a flutter of those fans in my time-travel dream last night! The most remarkable thing? The performance wasn’t on a grand stage in a bustling theatre; it was a celebration of beauty and artistry held within the walls of a stately home. It reminded me - and maybe this will give you a little nudge to move your bodies and express your inner ballerina - that ballet doesn’t just exist on grand stages, it’s alive everywhere! It’s in the movement of a dance with your loved ones, it’s in the graceful turn of a ballerina dancing on a polished floor… And it’s in your own body waiting to be unleashed.
Remember, my fellow ballerina enthusiasts, if there's one thing I've learned through my travels, it's that dance isn’t limited to specific dates and historical moments. It’s a timeless art that will always be relevant. Every movement, every spin, every plié is a story waiting to be told.
Now, I have to sign off and gather my belongings to jet off to our next destination. Don’t forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com, my blog where I'll be sharing even more tales of ballet history and time travel adventures! And remember, you can find me at my next ballet performance. Come join me! It'll be the perfect opportunity to twirl in your favourite pink tutu (you’ve got one, haven’t you?).
See you next month!
Your time-travelling ballerina,
Emma
