Hello fellow twirlers and twirling enthusiasts! Welcome to another delightful journey through the time-turning world of Pink Tutu Travels! I’m Emma, your time-hopping, tutu-loving guide, ready to take you on a magical ballet-filled adventure back to January 1st, 1814. My latest ballet-inspired blog post is Number 1837, and I'm absolutely brimming with excitement about this trip! Buckle up, dear readers, as we journey through the realms of historical ballet and revel in the fabulous fashions of a bygone era.
It's always a little chilly for a jaunty jaunt through the past at the beginning of January, especially when you're sporting a pink tutu. Thankfully, my trusty steed Magic Meg is always there to keep me warm! If you haven’t met her before, let me introduce you to the most wonderful pink sparkly Shire horse with golden hooves and a shimmering white mane and tail - pure magic, as her name suggests! She knows the time-travel tricks just as well as I do and is always keen for an adventure.
With a flourish, I settled my favourite fluffy pink tutu (the one with the embroidered pearl embellishment) over my dance-ready legs, and I was ready to take on the day! Magic Meg nickered eagerly, ready for our next leap through time. I always pack my trusty leather rucksack, just in case I come across a forgotten ballet program or a rare, antique dance shoe – it's a ballerina's treasure trove.
As we trotted through the swirling snowflakes, Magic Meg and I arrived at the charming French town of Montpellier. The 19th century is alive and bustling, with elegant carriages drawn by finely-dressed horses weaving through the cobbled streets. But let's not be blinded by the carriage glamour – what was happening in the world of ballet on this day?
On January 1st, 1814, the city was preparing to celebrate a very special theatrical performance! Montpellier's beloved theater, Théâtre de Montpellier, was about to open its doors to a thrilling display of French talent. Ballet, you ask? Oh, definitely! The "grand" spectacle was a delightful mix of "vaudevilles, pantomimes, and ballets"! Can you imagine, dear readers, an evening packed with diverse and enthralling dance performances? Now, this is a night out that speaks to my inner ballerina soul!
Imagine the atmosphere – gaslit chandeliers casting a warm glow, a gentle buzz of chatter, ladies with their beautiful ball gowns and gentlemen in their finest frock coats… All anticipation for the exquisite spectacle of dance unfolding before them. It was a sight I could only dream of, and even through time, the excitement was palpable!
However, a truly enchanting performance must come with its unique quirks. On this specific evening, a special announcement caught everyone’s attention. The famous ballerina, the beloved Mademoiselle Augusta, was recovering from an unfortunate illness! It seems our grand dancer had a sudden bout of what they called the "bilious fever." Alas, Mademoiselle Augusta couldn’t grace the stage that night.
However, her absence sparked a captivating twist! Instead of a cancelled performance, another ballerina stepped up to the challenge, her debut performance filled with thrilling grace and beauty. The audience, thrilled by the unexpected turn of events, responded with raucous applause.
Speaking of raucous applause, just imagine the grand, sweeping movement of the ladies in the audience as they greeted each graceful pirouette! In 1814, it was all about dramatic flourishes and theatrical expressions of delight. Imagine the beautiful, billowing gowns and extravagant accessories. Imagine the fluttering of fans and the tinkling of laughter as the dancers commanded the stage. It would be a complete whirlwind of swirling fabrics, cascading tulle, and captivating grace – and I would absolutely love to have been there to witness it myself!
I wonder if they were wearing pink tutus! My favourite tutu was quite the head-turner! Made with layers of delicate pink tulle and adorned with hand-stitched pearls, it twirled and swished beautifully as I danced, a soft whisper against the wind as I rode Magic Meg through the charming streets of 1814.
My mission to inspire everyone to wear a pink tutu marches on! Each new trip through time makes me more passionate about sharing my love of ballet with the world. So, my darling readers, what are you waiting for?
Join me next month on www.pink-tutu.com, where we will explore another ballet adventure in the annals of time!
Remember, dance, and let your inner ballerina shine!
Lots of love,
Emma, the Pink Tutu Traveller.
