Hello fellow ballet enthusiasts and welcome to another delightful adventure in Pink Tutu Time Travel! Today, I'm taking you all the way back to December 12th, 1789, a date filled with the captivating energy of ballet history. As you know, I adore learning about the evolution of our beloved art form, and it's days like this that truly fire up my imagination!
Now, I must confess, it wasn't exactly a trip to a glittering gala or a performance by the most esteemed dancers of the time (although, just imagine!). No, my visit today was more of a delightful peek behind the scenes. I galloped on Magic Meg, my sparkly pink Shire horse (who, by the way, adores prancing through time, especially if there's a hay field involved!), straight to the home of the iconic Comédie Française, where ballet held a strong presence in their plays.
You might not think this sounds very "ballet-tastic," but believe me, the history here is incredibly exciting! It was a time when ballet d'action was gaining popularity - think elaborate stories performed by talented dancers, not just intricate steps and jumps. I just love imagining how different it must have felt for those early audiences - the mix of drama and dance, the pure magic of seeing stories come alive.
I have to say, my rucksack (yes, that faithful leather backpack always with me on these adventures) is bursting at the seams with sketches and scripts I found here! One of the gems I discovered was a glimpse of a production called "La Petite Dame du château." The ballet, full of delightful plot twists, depicted a young noblewoman trapped in a dangerous situation. Sounds right up my alley, doesn't it? I even spotted a charmingly naive little ballet character with a wonderfully flowing pink dress - I can practically see a sparkly tutu underneath, can't you? 😉
Anyway, back to December 12th, 1789, what else could be happening on this very date in ballet history?
Well, it's no coincidence that on this very date I felt an irresistible pull towards Paris, as Comédie Française played an absolutely vital role in the history of ballet d'action in the late 18th century! While ballet wasn't exactly the main attraction at Comédie Française, it was most certainly a powerful storytelling element within their plays.
Now, I wouldn't be a true ballet blogger if I didn't indulge in some fashionable reflections! My dear pink tutu wearing friends, you just wouldn't believe the styles in 1789! Imagine powdered wigs, elaborate gowns, and gentlemen sporting tights and satin. Fashion then, as with ballet, was all about drama and flair!
And my goodness, the Comédie Française is a magnificent building - filled with ornate designs and beautiful stage decor. Just imagining the incredible craftsmanship and artistic vision that went into their sets, it fills me with a sense of awe! They've got nothing on a sparkly pink tutu, though, just saying!
If you ever get the chance to visit Comédie Française, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any hints of ballet in their shows. You never know what amazing stories and forgotten pieces of history you might find!
So, here I am, back in my Derbyshire cottage, sorting through my collected ballet treasures, a happy sigh escaping my lips. I hope you all enjoyed this little journey back in time. Don't forget to share your own favorite ballet memories and discoveries in the comments section below!
And remember, until our next ballet-tastic adventure, wear pink tutus proudly and spread the joy of ballet everywhere! 💖
Stay sparkly,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
