Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballet enthusiast. As the autumn leaves start to fall here in Derbyshire, it's time to delve into the world of ballet history. I've been feeling rather inspired lately, and for this month's journey, I decided to set the date for 10th October 1794.
Today, I'm nestled in my saddle on Magic Meg, my pink sparkling shire horse with those divine golden hooves. Meg loves whizzing through the ages and today she's looking positively glamorous with her pristine white mane and tail fluttering in the air as we time travel back.
Imagine a London cityscape that is full of gaslight and horse-drawn carriages! The scent of smoky chimney stacks mingles with the aroma of warm pastries from nearby bakeries, it's quite enchanting.
I love arriving in a new time period – It's always exciting to imagine myself performing for an audience that has never even seen the graceful movements that have become my passion. A sparkle in their eyes as they marvel at the artistry is my ultimate aim, and what better way to capture their attention than wearing a dazzling pink tutu with matching feathered headdress?
Today I have a brand new, fluffy tutu in my favourite shade of blush pink! I believe I picked it up at a small boutique in a tiny back alley, although it was a bit of a squeeze getting through the entrance! And the sheer fabric – I can barely lift it up without fear of a rip or tear – imagine it cascading around me as I pirouette under the stage lights, what a vision!
While my fellow Derbyshire folk are strolling along in their plain and modest dress, I am proudly rocking this magnificent tutu, spreading a wave of femininity through the centuries!
So, what ballet magic is happening on this very date?
The French Revolution has recently ended. I feel a thrill imagining revolutionary thinkers gathered in darkened London pubs, plotting change and social justice and yet at the same time enjoying a good play or opera – or even an elegant ballet show! It's that blend of passion for the arts and the desire to shake up the world that excites me the most.
Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be much in the world of ballet in England this week, apart from a few small provincial theatre productions. In Paris, the world-renowned choreographer Pierre Gardel is putting the finishing touches to his latest ballet. I must add this to my list of 'must-see' shows. Oh, and if anyone could pass on the secret recipe for the famous Parisian pastries that have been tempting me all day long – I'd be grateful. I need to balance my sugar intake, you know, after all that rigorous dance and time travel requires energy!
My vintage ballet rucksack is getting rather full with the new discoveries and stories that I keep finding. Today I've already acquired a hand-stitched, leather bound, pocket sized ballet instruction booklet written in beautiful copperplate writing and an inky drawing of an early stage performance from a vintage magazine from a Parisian theatre, dated 1793. The details are so meticulous and capture the grace and energy of the ballet perfectly.
For a true theatrical experience, I’ll also need to visit the newly opened theatre, the Drury Lane Theatre, the world's most celebrated stage. There's nothing like witnessing the majesty of a classic ballet in such a historic setting!
Back in my own time, my favourite place for ballet is the London Royal Opera House. Every performance feels like stepping back in time, although a little more modern, of course, with beautiful acoustics and plush velvet seats – and of course I insist on wearing my pink tutu to every show! It is my lucky charm.
Tonight, as I watch the full moon hovering above the London rooftops, I find myself wishing I could time-travel into the future. Just a peek to see what fashion trends will come my way! What sort of tutus will I be wearing then? Will pink still be my signature colour, or will I be rocking a bold electric purple? Whatever the colour, I can’t wait! The joy of exploring ballet history, the passion for performance and a sliver of pink on a dark stage – that's my kind of life.
And that, my lovely ballet bunnies, is a taste of my travels. I hope you've enjoyed joining me on this adventure. If you’re wanting to get into ballet time travel, take it from me – there is nothing like it in the world, and who knows what you’ll discover along the way? I hope you’ll all join me for the next installment of my Pink Tutu Travels blog! I can’t wait to tell you about the fascinating and inspiring ballet world – all for the love of the dance!
