Hello my lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveler, back with another captivating blog post from the ever-so-fascinating annals of ballet history! This time, we're pirouetting our way back to November 11th, 1792, and let me tell you, dear readers, it was a time for momentous developments in the world of ballet!
As usual, I zipped through time on the back of my trusty steed, Magic Meg, a shimmering pink shire horse with a golden mane and hooves. She certainly knows how to make a grand entrance, that dazzling mare, and we arrived just in time to see a flurry of activity in the theatre district.
This post is number 1583, on my blog www.pink-tutu.com, so don't forget to subscribe! This blog is my passion, just like my tutus and ballet in general, which, by the way, is how I fund my time-traveling escapades! I get to perform for a select audience in my very own tutus – it's all very swanky indeed. I even have a bespoke tutu-design business that's really taking off! If you'd like to see a glimpse of my creations, I'm currently displaying some designs on my website. Perhaps I should bring them with me to my next time travel trip and try to make a few sales... I bet a good few ballerinas would love a truly one-off bespoke tutu from a 21st-century designer like myself. I have my own little time travel kit - a rucksack made of chocolate brown leather - on my back and it is getting so full of fabulous treasures. I’ll need to get another one, that is if I find another magic steed that will pull it, it’s all quite difficult you see… well apart from the tutus and the horse part.
Anyways, where was I? Ah yes! 11th November, 1792 – the day ballet really began to come alive! While dance has, of course, always been around, this year was particularly special for the birth of some iconic forms. Just imagine, if you will, a time before Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker!
That very night, I managed to sneak a peak into a rehearsal of the renowned Noverre, considered to be the very father of "ballet d'action" – you know, those dances with stories and emotions. He was at work creating the revolutionary ballet "The Judgement of Paris", a dance-drama brimming with mythological tales and epic heroism. Think big dramatic gestures and daring leaps - the kind that would really get your heart pounding! I got the distinct feeling it would go on to become an incredible smash-hit, it had real potential and was truly groundbreaking. As a performer, I was rather jealous of the roles - you can really show off the character in such an important and prestigious show.
Now, of course, Noverre's vision went far beyond mere dancing. He understood the power of a good storyline and even experimented with the first ballet “scripts”. Imagine – dancing WITH words – what an absolute delight!
I got talking to one of the dancers, a charming fellow called Didelot. Now, if you were thinking of dancing during that period, he was definitely a good one to know, for he was none other than the teacher and dancer to many of the time’s ballet stars! He, and Noverre, had been performing ballet shows, but really their role as teachers of some of the most respected ballet dancers at this point in time - such a privileged position - was to really help their protégés perform their best. I am rather tempted to see how they've got to where they are... imagine what it must be like - I wouldn't mind taking a lesson from one of the biggest ballet names in history… you see this time traveler has some work to do to take her skills to the next level.
The best part was, that same night, a balletomane - you know, someone utterly in love with ballet, just like yours truly! – gave me a sneak peek into the latest gossip. I hear Jean Dauberval was just beginning to plan out "The Fille mal gardée" - that tale of a spirited young maiden and her mischievous beau, oh so romantic. I heard it was absolutely packed at every performance! It was a big hit. That night I decided I was going to head over to a rehearsal the next night as the choreography was said to be revolutionary for the time, they’re using an emphasis on jumps - very clever! You can be certain that my trusty notebook was ready and filled with my sketches.
Of course, no journey through 1792 is complete without a look into the fashion scene! I even managed to snag some gorgeous fabric samples at the tailors - perfect inspiration for my own line of tutu creations! You'll just love my newest designs inspired by the rich colours and elaborate trims of the period! Now the biggest trends were frills, frills, frills! Think bows, ruffles, and layers – and everything, of course, in gorgeous pastel tones and delicate shades! So perfect for my ballet inspired wardrobe. The men’s dancers all seemed to have tights or stockings - as tights really were still on trend but there are reports of trousers. Now the really big news… shoes, we’re getting to the fun part: shoes with heel tips and toe points!!
I was particularly entranced by the* elaborate headdresses* adorned with jewels and ribbons. I picked up a few interesting books on the period so that my readers can discover the origins of some of the most classic ballet motifs - it's a fashion that just feels incredibly theatrical. It was almost like being part of a show myself!
You know, I just love how ballet fashion keeps on evolving over time. But let me tell you, I always find my way back to the simple elegance of a good pink tutu!
Before heading back to Derbyshire with my precious treasures in my time travel kit – the notebook was absolutely bursting with stories, ideas and inspiration! - I decided to take one final look at what ballet had in store for the future.
Now, dear readers, it might not seem like much, but just imagine a time when ballet was practically invisible, barely acknowledged as an art form. And there we were, in 1792, at a crossroads, the foundation of ballet and storytelling through movement were laying down the stage for the iconic masterpieces we know today!
Just imagine if all this hadn't happened – no swans, no Sleeping Beauty, no tutus for me. Oh dear – just imagine… and that’s what motivates me, my lovely readers! to carry on spreading the pink tutu love around the world – even across the decades.
Until next month, keep twirling and remember - pink is the way to go!
Love, Emma xx
