Hello darlings! Welcome to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things ballet, fashion, and of course, time travel! This month, Iâm whisking us back to the 11th November 1791. Grab your pink tutu, a steaming cuppa, and settle in as we pirouette through a turbulent era in history.
Now, Iâm not one to shy away from a bit of history, even if it is rather, shall we say, âunsettledâ. But, remember, while history can be daunting, my aim is always to find the beautiful, the fabulous, and of course, the ballet!
It was a rather damp morning in Paris when Magic Meg, my stunning pink-sparkling shire horse (you simply MUST see her golden hooves â so divine!), deposited me on the cobbled streets of the City of Lights. I always wear my hot pink tutu when time travelling, as you know. Pink, darlings, is such a statement, so stylish, so optimistic! And a splash of colour amongst all the grey stone is, well, a real treat.
Now, to those who are not familiar with the events unfolding at that time, 1791 was, well, a bit of a rollercoaster! The French Revolution was at its peak, with King Louis XVI under arrest and the French monarchy in deep, deep trouble. Oh, my! So much upheaval! Imagine, dear reader, trying to have your perfect fouette when the guillotine is a whisper away!
Yet, as a time traveller, my aim is not just to be there, but to bring back to the present day what I discover! This month, I delved deep into the "Theatricum" - the world of theatrical dance and music, a world that was definitely NOT exempt from the revolution!
What did I learn, you ask? Oh, darlings, so much! For one, the Paris Opera was still open â though with its share of dramas, as one can imagine. It wasn't all about ballets, though. Plays were still being performed. Think witty comedies and poignant dramas - a true âescapeâ for those living in a whirlwind of social and political change.
My very special "vintage finds" bag, a real masterpiece in aged leather which sits so proudly on my back, was full to the brim within minutes. I acquired a lovely vintage pamphlet from 1790, titled "L'Almanach des Spectacles de Paris." Itâs just gorgeous - a whole list of operas, plays and, yes, ballet, scheduled in Paris. Imagine, dear reader, a dance program, from way back then, now safe and sound on my wall at home in Derbyshire. My love of the vintage!
Did I mention that Paris had no shortage of "cafĂ©s-concert"? These were lively little spots where one could go for music and dance, and a real âtalk of the town.â These cafĂ©s were part of Parisian life, just like a ballet class or a matinee is today. They offered a form of "popular entertainment", full of whimsy, dancing, and singing. Think a Parisian version of âMamma Mia!â And no need for tutus â well, most of the time anyway.
My love for ballet history was in overdrive as I discovered that a "Ballet des Demoiselles de la Maison Royale" was scheduled for a special showing on the 11th of November, right where I was standing! The royal daughters were renowned for their elegance and skill and this performance, youâll be pleased to know, featured beautiful costumes, dazzling moves, and intricate ballets â even within the revolution, the magic of ballet was very much alive! You can imagine how excited I was!
Unfortunately, it was a âclosed to the publicâ affair â can you imagine?! The queen's daughterâs performance, for invited guests only! I think my eyes welled up a little - so tragic! The irony of it all. Itâs as if ballet itself, in its ethereal beauty and its elegant movement, is a reminder of what's being lost in the tumult of politics. Ah, my darlings, the history of ballet is full of beautiful contradictions.
However, fear not! Thereâs a delightful, vintage pamphlet from this same day in history, right now, safely stored in my special vintage bag - the ballets are described in loving detail, with descriptions of each dance and its story! As they say, I am very lucky! And this lovely document will inspire my ballet performance tonight, âRevolution In Pink.â I hope to create something beautiful, bold, and expressive, drawing on my journey to bring these two very different worlds together - the vibrant joy of the stage and the dramatic backdrop of a nation in turmoil.
So, this month, I urge you all to embrace the beauty in everything you find â in the pink tutus we all love, in the ballet class we cherish, in the thrill of seeing a show, and even in a world gone slightly bonkers. As we all know, my darlings, the greatest revolutions begin with one tiny step... or shall I say, one dazzling, perfectly executed "jetĂ© en tournant?"
Yours in pink,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Remember, darling, we'll be offering tickets for tonight's performance of "Revolution in Pink," all profits going to the ballet charity "Twinkle Toes." See you there, in your very own pink tutu!
