Hello my darling dears! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here! And boy oh boy, do I have a treat for you this month! It’s all about that fabulous October 10th, 1825 - what a date to remember, darlings!
I know you’re all probably wondering how my October has been… well, just picture it - Derbyshire hillsides bathed in golden sunshine, a crisp autumn breeze tickling my nose, the delicious smell of homemade apple pie wafting through the air, and, of course, Magic Meg (yes, my pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and the most magnificent white mane and tail - she's quite a looker, if I do say so myself!) patiently waiting outside the cottage.
October always brings a feeling of anticipation and a dash of mystery – just like time travel, don't you think? Speaking of which, guess where we travelled this month, my dears? Yep, you guessed it - right back to the 19th century! But this time, it was all about ballet, darling, ballet!
We arrived in Paris, and let me tell you, the City of Lights is just as dazzling now as it was then. But before we head into the glitz and glamour, let's rewind for a moment. What exactly was going on in the ballet world on this date?
Well, imagine a world without pointe shoes, dear readers! The year 1825 was a pivotal time for ballet, a year that would go down in history, one that was a whole lot more comfortable for our tootsies! The dancing on the 10th of October was full of panache and grace but with no pointes. There was a lot of work done on strengthening feet in ballet in this time - because, my dears, as any ballet aficionado knows, a strong foot is crucial!
We popped into the Paris Opera House, and oh, the opulence! The chandeliers sparkled with such brilliance it was almost too much to take in!
But let’s rewind for a second! It’s worth remembering that even if the Paris Opera House in the 19th century was full of glitz and glamour, life for female ballet dancers was far from a fairytale. Imagine a life of rigorous training, incredibly long hours, and no pointe shoes! Even though their lives weren’t easy, I’m absolutely certain they poured their hearts and souls into their art! They brought the magical stories of ballets like La Sylphide to life.
After the ballet, we ventured out onto the streets, and, well, you’ve just got to picture it! Ladies with the most amazing, elaborately-laced corsets and full, beautiful skirts - you’d think a flower had blossomed onto every cobblestone! I did a bit of vintage fashion shopping of my own, of course. And, guess what? Found myself a most lovely embroidered silk sash in a shade of pink that almost matches my tutu! Oh, the sheer delight!
You see, I believe in making time travel affordable for every ballerina, darling! I've managed to earn enough money for my travels by putting on magical ballet performances with Magic Meg right here in the Derbyshire hills. I always manage to gather a large and very enthusiastic crowd! (They are especially fond of Magic Meg! I know I’m biassed, but the crowds simply go wild when she trots onstage, twirling her magnificent tail like a spotlight in the sky!) I’m also lucky enough to find some truly incredible ballet enthusiasts and collectors out there who are eager to contribute to my cause - thank goodness!
Back in the bustling streets of Paris, we stopped for a bite to eat at a quaint cafe and just soaked up the Parisian charm. And guess what? The French pastries here, they are truly a thing of beauty, my dears! But you know me, darling! I simply can't travel anywhere without doing a spot of ballet shopping, can I? My rucksack is bursting at the seams with antique ballet books and journals! Just picture it: stories, sketches, photos, and even dance choreography written by hand – these are the secrets that only I can find on my ballet time travel adventures! Oh, the treasures I gather!
Now, let me tell you, that evening in Paris was magical. We watched an absolutely spellbinding performance of 'La Sylphide.' (Can we just appreciate how truly beautiful this ballet is?! The music, the dancing… I could watch it on a loop for days on end, no questions asked! ) Imagine yourself in the Parisian Opera House, dressed in a pink tulle dress that makes you look like a fairy queen – and I am pretty sure that the audience, even in 1825, would have been dazzled, I can almost hear them gasping! You know I do love my pink tutu but even I can admire the gorgeous elegant flowing costumes in this time period. So simple yet beautiful and full of romance. The ballet told a truly romantic story – with a dramatic climax - oh, the heartbreak!
Back home in Derbyshire, I am planning my next big event to earn a few more pink tutu shillings to help my future adventures! And yes, it will, of course, include a delightful evening of ballet! You are all welcome to come.
Oh, and remember, my darlings! You don’t need a pink tutu or even time travel to be a ballet enthusiast!
If you are looking for more inspiring ballet stories and inspiration and information, just head over to my blog at www.pink-tutu.com
And don’t forget - it's a tutu-filled world out there, darlings!
Until next time, Your time-travelling, tutu-wearing ballerina, Emma xx
