Hello, darling dears, and welcome back to my pink tutu-tastic time travel blog! I’m Emma, your friendly neighbourhood Derbyshire ballerina, and this month, we’re travelling back to July 7th, 1812!
Oh, darling, just the thought of 1812 fills me with the most exquisite thrill! Think frills and ruffles, graceful waltz steps, and ladies swishing in satin and velvet - all the hallmarks of a grand soirée!
Now, you know my rule, right? Every time trip needs a pink tutu, and let me tell you, this time it's an absolute stunner. It’s a vision of delicate pink silk, adorned with an ethereal dusting of sparkling silver sequins. Imagine a fairy's dream brought to life in fabric! My Magic Meg (that’s my darling pink Shire horse with a golden hoof and a mane and tail like spun white clouds, oh she's such a dear!) even shimmers a little brighter in the moonlight with this outfit!
Right, back to our time travelling adventure. I've brought along my trusty leather rucksack - it’s bulging with pretty ballet accessories from a time long ago. We'll be checking out those soon! I've also got a lovely diary tucked in - it's full of intriguing stories and fascinating ballet tidbits I'll share with you all later.
Oh, but I’m so excited, darling! Let me tell you, a soirée in 1812 promises some wonderful delights. Remember, folks, the grand ballet scene was exploding across the globe! The Bolshoi Theatre had been a thing in Moscow since the late 1700s, and I simply had to check it out, with my magic meg, of course. Imagine a grand stage lit with candlelight and ladies twirling in elaborate gowns and those fabulous tutus. I hear they didn't wear pointe shoes yet, darling! They had just invented them but not many ladies knew how to use them!
And the Royal Ballet was getting its paws on stage, or feet I should say! I believe there were several grand shows happening in London at that time. But the biggest highlight of all had to be the rise of the 'ballets d'action' - darling, it was all the rage! Think pantomime stories with grand dance scenes, with love and mischief woven throughout! Honestly, who needs a plot when you've got spectacular dances?
Oh, I'm positively bursting to share all the wonders I experienced, but we’re still just starting our adventure! Remember, darling, to truly grasp the majesty of the past, we must not only see, but feel. Let’s delve deeper into this exciting world, shall we?
The very first thing that struck me was the atmosphere! You could feel the thrill of it all as soon as we galloped onto the streets, those old cobblestone paths! Every face seemed so alive! Imagine, darling, everyone would come out to see their beloved dancers and their stories in such elegant theaters, with everyone so exquisitely dressed. A touch of the dramatic, of course, all the gentlemen sporting their formal frock coats and a dash of flamboyant waistcoats, and those stunning women with their silken gowns and powdered curls, darling, just dreamy! And the theatre halls, simply breath-taking - all those rows of elegant seats, adorned with crimson and velvet, it was simply magnificent!
For our evening at the Bolshoi, we donned a pair of beautifully designed masks and snuck into the auditorium, I don't know how we got away with it, really. The theatre was bursting with life. Laughter and chatter drifted across the room as guests made their grand entrances, their velvet gowns swishing like silken whispers. It felt as though the very essence of glamour had seeped into the walls themselves. Oh, we sat down and just admired everyone; their hairstyles, those exquisite fabrics, even their hats! And of course, darling, the men, all so debonair.
Oh! It was almost time for the curtain to go up, so I just knew I was going to enjoy this ballet. The musicians began tuning their instruments, and you could feel the anticipation rise in the room, darling! It's this exquisite anticipation that elevates every experience, you know? Like a shimmering bubble ready to burst.
Now, I can't possibly give away all the surprises. A few scenes from a dramatic, beautifully composed 'ballet d'action', a delightful mix of elegant dances, a plot full of romance and a handsome rogue with a secret… The whole time travel, darling! It’s a must see, so imagine my delightful delight at being part of such history, in my sparkly pink tutu of course!
Darling, I can't share everything in detail - it’s far too lovely for mere words! It’s just wonderful to remember that history and we, too, have a role in the continuation of it. Every story we witness adds a sparkle to our lives!
Now, if you really want to immerse yourself in the spirit of those times, you’re going to need some beautiful outfits, and remember to add some sparkly sequins. My suggestion? Try to make your own tutu for your next dance party, or fancy dress. It really does feel special! Just be careful to pick a fabulous shade of pink, of course!
Oh darling, you really must explore ballet shows around your local town or city - look in the paper, darling - they really can transport you to an exciting, sparkling, fabulous place. It really can be wonderful to experience a bit of time travel, darling! I’ll post again soon, telling you all about what else I found in my leather rucksack in 1812.
See you soon and Happy dancing!
Emma xx
Don’t forget to check out my website - www.pink-tutu.com - for all my time travel blog posts, darling!
