Hello my lovelies,
It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you away to a ballet adventure! June the 6th, 1827, is the date we're pirouetting through today, and oh, what a delightful time period it was! The world of ballet was positively blooming!
This month, Magic Meg and I saddled up, the pink glitter of her golden hooves sparkling under the Derbyshire dawn. Our destination? The bustling city of London, of course! We galloped towards the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the heart of London's ballet scene. The Theatre was, as always, abuzz with activity, preparing for another breathtaking performance. Can you imagine? Not only could you enjoy a performance by the legendary ballet maître Charles Didelot himself, but there were incredible choreographic wonders on display! This night, they were showcasing a grand ballet, "Le Diable à Quatre," or "The Devil of Four", a devilishly captivating piece full of swirling ribbons, flying leaps, and perhaps even a sprinkle of forbidden romance!
But that's not all! Today was also the very special occasion of the King's Birthday, a day filled with pomp, ceremony, and of course, festivities! Just imagine all the lovely ballet performances and celebrations, the regal attire and the vibrant atmosphere – it must have been positively enchanting!
As I strolled through the streets of London, I felt the air thrumming with energy, filled with whispers of history and dreams of future ballet performances. Imagine, my darlings, a world without pointe shoes! While today's dancers fly through the air with ethereal grace on their carefully crafted pointe shoes, dancers in 1827 were still making do with thick, cumbersome slippers that provided no support!
I imagined their graceful moves, so fluid and expressive, despite the limitations of their footwear. Can you picture them dancing without pointe shoes, their graceful movements still so captivating?
But fret not! That's exactly why I'm collecting such wonderful relics from the past, for the little museum I hope to create back in Derbyshire, filled with the beauty and history of ballet! Inside my leather rucksack, nestled between sketches of beautiful ballet dancers, and antique stage decorations, I already have a gorgeous satin tutu from 1827! Isn't it absolutely charming?
On our travels, I was captivated by the elegant fashions of the era. Imagine women swishing around in silken gowns with voluminous sleeves and intricate embroidery. The colours! Oh, my darlings, the colours! Rich velvets, the delicate floral prints of cottons, and shimmering silks - all adding to the breathtaking pageantry of London! Of course, there were whispers of "Le Diable à Quatre" even in the shop windows, the gowns all taking inspiration from the romantic tale and dramatic costuming of the ballet. And, wouldn't you know it, one of my favorite London boutiques, a treasure trove of ballet-inspired clothing, has started a special line inspired by "The Devil of Four," which has a pink tulle overlay on every garment! It is positively breathtaking, and oh so perfectly pink! I managed to convince the lovely owner to add some tutus to her line - you simply can't resist a pink tulle tutu with delicate embroidery.
And speaking of ballet inspiration, have you seen the new ballet performances going on in London right now? There are captivating stories being brought to life through incredible dances, full of passion, strength and whimsical creativity! Just last week I saw a lovely production of "La Somnambule", a fantastical dance journey that swept me off my feet! Imagine a world where magic dances on the stage, a world of sleepwalking, lost love, and a dash of romantic destiny! Oh, how it captured my heart! I think the gentle choreography really brings the magical feeling of a somnambulist to life - it's mesmerising! It is certainly a ballet that must be seen to be fully understood, and definitely worth adding to your list of must-sees. I even have a lovely programme, and of course, the prettiest souvenir of the whole evening – a shimmering satin pouch shaped like a little dancer's slipper filled with bonbons!
After a day of immersing myself in London's vibrant ballet world, Magic Meg and I prepared for our return to Derbyshire. Riding back through the gentle rolling countryside, the setting sun painting the sky with hues of pink and orange, I realised the magic of travel doesn't just lie in visiting new places, it also lies in bringing a little bit of their magic home. That's exactly what I'm aiming to do - bring a bit of ballet magic to every corner of Derbyshire. Why, my dear readers, a little bit of pink tulle and grace can change the world!
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com next month for our next thrilling adventure. I'll be sharing all my ballet finds with you, including a little something I picked up in Paris, my little pink Parisian adventure – that's a secret, though!
Until next time, may your leaps be high, and your tutus, oh so pink!
Warmly,
Emma.
