#BalletHistory during 1790 03 March

Hello, my darlings! Emma here, your time-travelling ballerina, back for another whirl through history! Today, we’re venturing into the year 1790, a year full of dazzling dances and fascinating characters. Don't worry, my pink tutu's safely tucked in my rucksack (you can never be too prepared for a dance-off in any era!), and Magic Meg, my pink sparkly Shire horse with golden hooves and a mane like spun moonlight, is raring to go.

This is post number 1551 for www.pink-tutu.com, my little slice of ballet-tastic heaven on the internet! For those of you new to the world of pink tutus and time travel, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Emma, a ballet-obsessed girl from Derbyshire, England, with a penchant for all things pink and a touch of wanderlust that could only be satisfied by hopping through time on the back of my trusty steed, Magic Meg.

Oh, the adventures we've had! We've pirouetted alongside the pioneers of ballet, marveled at the grace of court dances, and even discovered the hidden stories of ballet's early stars. Funding these adventures? Well, you can’t travel through time on just tutu-power, so I perform! When I'm not twirling through the eras, you can catch me twirling on a stage near you.

Now, back to our 1790 date! The air is alive with the excitement of a new decade, and the world of ballet is bubbling with talent. This year, we're talking about some real trailblazers – the pioneers who were paving the way for ballet as we know it.

Remember how I always tell you that every tutu holds a story? Well, in 1790, ballet was still finding its feet, still discovering its unique expression. We were moving away from the courtly dances of the previous centuries and embracing a more theatrical form. It’s a fascinating time of experimentation, and guess what? England's at the forefront of the action!

Now, while France is amidst its famous Revolution (they did like a good upheaval, those Frenchies!), across the channel, London's Royal Theatre is buzzing. This theatre was truly a crucible of ballet, a melting pot of creativity and talent where ballerinas, choreographers, and musicians were pushing the boundaries of what ballet could be.

This year, Charles Didelot, a brilliant choreographer with a real passion for movement and expression, was performing here. He was known for his "grand ballets" – huge productions that blended beautiful dance with lavish scenery and even some surprising elements, like, gasp, spoken dialogue!

It's a time of huge change, both on the world stage and in the world of ballet. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for ballet's grandest performance, with a whole new story waiting to be told.

Let's rewind a bit for a moment, darlings. Before Didelot was gracing London with his dance steps, there was Marie Sallé! This incredible dancer is a bit of a time travel pin-up! She burst onto the scene in the 1730s and was considered a revolution herself! Her style? Forget the heavy costumes and complex steps, Marie championed light, flowing movements. She was all about simplicity and expression, about telling stories through her movements, not just relying on steps alone.

She was truly a pioneer, embracing her own vision for ballet, and daring to be different. Marie even dared to challenge the conventional look of the ballerina with her stunning costumes, a beautiful blend of simplicity and femininity, a far cry from the big and frilly outfits that dancers wore in those days.

What a role model for any ballerina, past or present! She proved that ballet can be so much more than just intricate steps, and that with a bit of passion, creativity, and of course, a gorgeous pink tutu, you can inspire audiences and rewrite ballet history!

Speaking of stories and creativity, we wouldn't be proper ballet enthusiasts if we didn't talk about the shows! What's happening on the ballet stage in this enchanting time of 1790? Well, we have several treats!

• Didelot’s “The Enchanted Horse" at London's Royal Theatre – A theatrical dance drama based on a fantastical story of magic and adventure, just the sort of ballet to get the blood pumping. The sets, costumes, and special effects must have been utterly captivating.

• “La Dansomanie" - In Italy, we have this funny dance piece about a “mania” for dancing, kind of like a precursor to today’s crazy dance videos!

• “The Birth of Venus" in Paris - a ballet that brought the beauty of classical mythology to the stage. I just love those grand classical themes, don’t you? They really lend themselves to the drama and poetry of ballet.

Imagine, dancing amidst the glitter and excitement of the Royal Theatre in London, or under the Parisian sky! I bet even the Queen of England was sporting a ballet costume this year – pink, of course!

Back to our adventures in time. The thing is, these ballerinas from 1790 – they might not have known the exact cut or length of our modern pink tutu, but they had their own flair for fabulous footwear. You can't deny the elegant silhouette and flowing skirts of those early costumes, all perfectly showcasing the ballerinas' grace and movement. Imagine it! The shimmer of satin, the gentle flounce of fabric as a dancer leaps – simply beautiful!

Now, while I have to admit I can’t actually time travel with a whole wardrobe on my back, you can trust me to pick up every scrap of fascinating ballet history, fashion or even an early sketch of a tutu in my rucksack. Every story and every tidbit from the past enriches our own experience with the world of ballet! It reminds me: every step in ballet has a history, every costume tells a tale!

This blog post is just a snippet of what ballet was like in 1790! If you'd like to delve deeper, darling, I have tons of information on my site. I bet you won’t even know where to start, but just ask me any questions about the world of pink tutus and time travel – and remember, the journey's just as important as the destination!

Until next month, my loves! Stay beautiful, stay fabulous, and don’t forget – a little pink goes a long way!

Emma x