#BalletHistory during 1800 05 May

Welcome to Post Number 1673 on Pink-Tutu.com! It’s me, your favourite pink-loving, tutu-touting time-travelling ballerina, Emma, and this month, we’re pirouetting back to the dawn of the 19th century. Grab your fanciest pink ribbons and prepare for a journey of tutus, tulle, and triumph – all for the glory of pink, of course!

Now, you all know my aim in life is to get the whole world wearing pink tutus. My mission statement, my personal ballet manifesto, is emblazoned on the inside of my rucksack (don’t worry, I’ve got one in every colour of the rainbow – they’re great for storing my treasures, like this little silk fan I picked up from 1770!), “Every heart beats a little faster in a pink tutu”. But I digress! Back to 05 May 1800…

Imagine: you’re a fashionable Londoner. It's a beautiful spring day, and what are you going to do to top off a day of leisurely promenade? You know, just some socialising with your friends and family, a trip to the local theatre, and a chance to check out all the latest trends in society. Ah, but there’s only one thing to do: Go see a ballet!

Now, 1800 wasn’t all about tutus – that era favoured graceful jumps, sweeping gestures, and costumes that emphasized beauty rather than lightness. In a few more decades, all that would change and the tutu would rise in its pink-tulle glory, but for now, we have something just as captivating.

On this day, at the Theatre du Gymnase in Paris, a spectacle was being presented unlike anything seen before. Ballet dancers were performing a masterpiece of movement under the supervision of Mr. Gardel - an accomplished choreographer with a flair for dramatic presentations! The very French feel of this particular theatre, with its unique combination of music and dramatic storytelling, was simply electrifying for its audiences! It seems like these days were about capturing beauty and grand emotions on stage – just as it was for us. I do wonder if they wore pink though – that would be fabulous. Maybe if I keep travelling further and further into the past, I'll come face to face with an era obsessed with all things pink... perhaps then, all my dreams will be a reality.

My beloved Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkling shire horse (who needs to see all the best ballet shows, of course), neighs in excitement – I've got a strong feeling she can feel it in her hooves – pink is on its way! Imagine her prancing down Regent Street in all her sparkling glory, tutti-fruiti pink and as graceful as a ballerina!

For my 1800s outfit, I've chosen a beautiful, silk, pale-pink, fitted bodice with a cascade of ruffles cascading down my bosom, with a soft, billowing, off-white skirt – it's elegant and it fits perfectly with my favourite pink, pearl-trimmed ballet slippers! The 1800s was a period for emphasizing the waist and using flowing fabrics that billowed and danced, similar to what we wear in ballet nowadays! Fashionistas and dancers shared a love of feminine elegance – it’s inspiring how fashion through the ages has incorporated graceful movement!

Even if a ballet was on offer at one of the lavish theatres of London's West End – oh the fun! But the real treat would be getting your hands on a set of new gloves! Gloves, oh my! The variety! Such wonderful colours, so delicate, like spun silk! A lovely, dainty way to add to a fashionable ensemble for those elegant dances, tea parties, and picnics. In fact, I even heard a rumour about a grand gala where women were flaunting the new pink gloves – can you imagine! I’m even considering adding a glove collection to my beloved rucksack, all the while imagining them at my fingertips.

But enough about the past! Let's bring things back to the present, shall we? Because even in these fast-paced, contemporary times, there’s something timeless and enduring about the power of a performance. And how can I forget the joy I feel at my local ballet school, surrounded by fellow dancers, swirling and leaping in pink tutus! You might have guessed that every one of my monthly posts includes a highlight from my personal ballet journey - after all, we’re time travellers, but first and foremost we are dancers!

This month, I can't resist a trip down memory lane - I’m so proud to be a Derbyshire lass, and so for this post, I’d like to introduce you to a truly magical place! If you're ever in the Derbyshire region and looking for a place where the magic of ballet unfolds, then you HAVE to head down to The Derby Theatre. Their annual “Sleeping Beauty” pantomime is legendary – they have amazing shows there and I just know that the spirit of these pantomimes resonates with those theatrical productions from the 1800s!

What's the most wonderful thing about this particular theatre, you ask? It's the sheer amount of creativity you find everywhere, in every corner! If you can imagine: a theatre that's pulsating with life and where creativity bubbles over, from costume designs to incredible performances! Imagine a stage adorned in pink with dancers moving as effortlessly as the breeze in all those flowing, beautiful, ethereal costumes – it's quite a vision. I wonder if they wear pink, maybe next time I’ll go and find out. Maybe they will have some stories and fashion that I can add to my collection.

Let me know about any time travel or ballet moments that have been sparkling for you. Stay tuned for my next blog post and please – if you don’t already, wear pink! Remember, a tutu makes everyone feel special.

And for you lovely, pink-loving ballerinas and ballerinos, be sure to check out my website for some exclusive photos of Magic Meg and myself enjoying this beautiful world, including behind-the-scenes from my time travel adventures.

Happy dancing!

Emma www.pink-tutu.com