Hello my lovely dancers! 🩰 Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your monthly dose of history, fashion, and all things ballet. This month we’re waltzing back to the year 1815, specifically August 8th, the day after the Battle of Waterloo. Oh, what a whirlwind! And guess what? It wasn’t all smoke and fire, though there was definitely some of that!
I, your eternally-optimistic ballet blogger, Emma, landed right in the heart of London, amidst the bustle and celebrations. Can you believe the crowds were wild? It was almost like stepping straight into a Dickens novel! But of course, there was a whole world of ballet to explore too.
Before we get to all the exciting ballet stuff, though, let me tell you about my arrival. As always, Magic Meg, my magnificent pink shire horse with the most beautiful white mane and tail and sparkling golden hooves, brought me back through time. You know, we’ve all got to admit, pink and shimmering silver look especially beautiful against a backdrop of London streets lit by flickering gas lamps! And honestly, you haven’t truly felt a sense of wonder until you’ve seen the expressions of Londoners seeing a pink tutu shimmer under a street lamp – I mean, I can’t help it! 😉
Speaking of London, just the air was thick with excitement – it wasn't just about Napoleon's defeat, mind you. London had been abuzz with theatrical activity! They were in the midst of a grand festival season, so I just had to join in the fun.
I managed to score myself tickets to a performance at the Drury Lane Theatre. My bag is positively bulging with playbills, programmes and scribbles of notes I made, which, I can tell you now, will become a fantastic ballet history scrapbook for my collection at home. What a show it was! A dazzling blend of music, song, dance, and drama, a truly spectacular display of the performing arts at their best. Even if it was a little different from the classical ballets we enjoy nowadays – they just called them “dances” back then, no big “ballet” labels, I think they were being a little humble! And as an added bonus, I spotted one particularly wonderful new invention – I mean, seriously – it’s all thanks to these brilliant ballet artists – they have invented a contraption called the "Caledonian Bagpipes". Can you believe that? And wouldn’t you know, they had ballet music composed for the bagpipes – absolutely revolutionary, darling!
As if the theatrical buzz weren’t enough, I just HAD to explore the fashion scene! I mean, every era has its unique style, and trust me, this period was absolutely captivating! You'll be shocked, but the fashionable ladies of London loved to adorn their shoes and boots with – and get this – FEATHERS! 😱 Absolutely divine! The idea of blending feathers and dance steps together – pure brilliance. And you know what, it's completely inspiring! Of course, being a true pink tutu enthusiast, I’d be remiss if I didn't note the striking fashion contrast that evening! All those magnificent gowns – and here I was in my signature pink tutu! I definitely got a lot of curious stares, but you know me – I love the surprise factor.
Oh, speaking of surprises! There’s no bigger surprise than meeting fellow ballet lovers – it doesn’t matter if it’s in London, or anywhere else. That’s how I stumbled upon the most delightful little ballet studio! Just nestled amongst the shops, tucked away as if it was a secret treasure waiting to be found. I think the name was "The Academy of Dancing," or something very similar. I must say it felt almost as if I'd walked right into one of my own ballet classes back home in Derbyshire. And of course, there they were, just like today: young students stretching, balancing, and working diligently on their moves. The enthusiasm was contagious! Honestly, it warms my heart to know that passion for ballet transcends time.
But what I wouldn’t give for a little bit of modern ballet – I bet the teachers there would go wild for the graceful, elegant, powerful movements, I am convinced their eyes would light up. But alas, I cannot share what I know - and my love for classical ballet only intensifies when I come across an amazing history moment. It was truly inspiring.
As the evening unfolded, I simply had to indulge in London's bustling nightlife – with such wonderful theatres and performance spaces – It’s almost impossible to pass up the allure of late-night shows, particularly after a day spent immersing myself in all that was happening in the ballet scene. A dazzling, multi-coloured light filled the streets, and everyone was laughing and dancing, the sense of joyful excitement was electric!
So, my fellow ballet lovers, August 8th, 1815 – not just a historical moment – it was a ballet moment! Full of inspiration, creativity, and the wonderful human connection that blooms in a world of dance! As always, I encourage you to share your own ballet moments. If you’ve got a particular ballet event that’s close to your heart, share it! Whether it’s a memory from a long time ago, or a recent show you've witnessed, let's all get together in this online community and celebrate all things ballet,
And for now, I’m off to gather my thoughts and begin planning my next pink-tutu-powered time travel escapade!
Until next time, dancers!
Emma 💖
