Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, your one-stop shop for all things ballet and time travel! It's your favourite pink-loving ballerina, Emma, here, ready to whisk you off to a thrilling adventure in the past. Today's date is the 7th of July 1831 - get your notebooks ready, darling, as we're going to be exploring the world of ballet through this extraordinary date! This post is number 2047, so pop on over to www.pink-tutu.com for the full collection of my ballet time travels.
As always, I've been prepping for this journey by whipping up a little something special for my wardrobe. Today, it's a twirly, light pink tutu with a smattering of sparkly sequins that glimmer like the sun. My trusty Magic Meg, a Shire horse with the most stunning pink mane and tail you've ever seen, is all polished and gleaming. You wouldn't believe the attention we draw - imagine, a pink-clad ballerina on a shimmering pink steed, oh, it's utterly divine!
And speaking of divine, where did we land today? Well, you won't believe it, we're right here in Derbyshire, my lovely home county, only... 192 years ago! The landscape feels the same, but there are less motorcars, more cobblestones, and the air smells a little fresher (not to mention the complete absence of car exhaust fumes!)
And what were people doing in the world of ballet on this exact day in 1831? You may be surprised! It was a bustling time for ballet. The esteemed choreographer and dancer, Jules Perrot, was in the midst of a whirlwind tour in Italy! They were performing their iconic "Giselle," the story of a young girl betrayed by her lover. We are absolutely in awe, for even the dance world had its own 'celebrity' and this is all happening here! I have to get a little closer and pick up some stories! Oh, darling, I simply must!
However, let's talk a little more about Jules Perrot, the brilliant man who created "Giselle". This wasn't just a dance, it was a theatrical marvel - a full blown opera, with music that flowed and danced with the dancers. You can tell Perrot, like myself, had an undeniable love for drama! It’s moments like these, experiencing history's greatest moments firsthand, that truly makes my time travel journey worthwhile! And just imagine, a tutu in the heart of Italy... it must have caused a stir! I can already imagine a thousand little Italian girls, all clamouring for pink tutus in their imagination!
Of course, I wasn't just going to let a journey like this pass by without a little ballet fashion investigation, now was I? It turns out, dancers of 1831 had some rather beautiful styles going on. Flowing gowns and ribbons galore - I even found a few remnants of "crinolines", those amazing skirt cages that gave them a graceful, sweeping silhouette. I have to find more about that for our new season, it's perfect for a grand, theatrical effect. They really had a thing for grandiosity!
While in Derby, we discovered the 'Derby Royal Theatre', which even today stands as a symbol of the rich theatrical past of the city. Now this is a theatre with soul and grandeur. Can you imagine, the feeling of sitting here for a grand, captivating ballet performance?! You could feel the electrifying energy of the audience right here, almost a tangible sense of excitement. You can tell it's an epic ballet spot.
Of course, my little heart just melts for these precious theatrical gems, tucked away in the history of time! As always, I couldn't leave without a treasure to share! My leather rucksack is bursting at the seams with bits and bobs - a dainty silk ribbon from an 1831 tutu, a small sheet of theatre notes, even a worn-out program from a local performance! It's a little peek into their world, a world I just can't wait to bring back to life with you all!
Darling, don’t you agree? The journey through time, with Magic Meg at my side and a pink tutu on my back, truly feels like a fairytale! If this doesn't inspire you to throw on your own pink tutu and spin your worries away, then nothing will. Remember, my dears, a little sprinkle of pink goes a long way, especially when it comes to reminding yourself that life is a beautiful ballet, full of moments just waiting to be enjoyed. Until next time, darlings, keep twirling! And don’t forget, you can catch up with my latest adventures and see pictures of my 1831 finds on my website! xx
