May 5th, 1840
Hello, lovelies! It's Emma, your pink tutu-loving, time-traveling ballerina, and I'm back from another whirlwind trip through the ages! This month, I whisked myself back to May 5th, 1840, and boy, was it a day for the books! Buckle your pink ballet shoes and prepare to twirl into some absolutely delightful history, dear readers.
You know, it's amazing how even hundreds of years ago, the world of ballet was buzzing! My time travel this time took me to London, specifically the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This beautiful, historic theatre was already a hotbed of creativity in the 19th century and housed some absolutely thrilling ballet productions. This evening, I was lucky enough to see "The Devil's Daughter," a ballet with music by Jules Mazurier. The storyline, though I won't spoil it all here, was full of intrigue and passion, and it really brought home how the ballet was so much more than just fancy footwork in those days.
As I stepped into the Theatre, the first thing that hit me was the grandeur. The red velvet seats, the ornate carvings, and the gaslit glow created an air of romance and anticipation that perfectly set the stage for a captivating ballet.
While the 1840s weren't known for pink tutus – the romantic style of ballet meant flowing white skirts were all the rage – it's impossible for me to not notice how much ballet fashion has evolved over time! It was fascinating to observe the graceful, flowing movement of the dancers in their classic tutus, each movement seemingly weightless and elegant. Of course, my backpack – packed with a bit of 21st century pink fluff for good measure, and a large, sturdy vintage travel bag (I wouldn’t be caught dead without my collection of historical ballet items and stories, wouldn't I?)- was ready for the show. As always, it was a delight to witness the unique beauty and intricate detail of the costumes. From the intricately embroidered bodices to the elegant layers of tulle, these were creations designed to dazzle and enchant the audience.
Now, one thing that stood out about the performance, apart from the exceptional artistry, was the sheer passion of the dancers. It was evident that their love for the art form, their dedication to perfection, was boundless. This enthusiasm truly resonated with me, and I felt a connection to these ballet greats from a bygone era.
After the performance, I hopped on Magic Meg, my faithful pink-sparkling Shire horse. You've heard me rave about her, haven't you? A pink sparkly horse, with a white mane and tail and golden hooves? It seems some might not believe in her magical abilities - well, if you don't believe in a pink, time-traveling tutu-wearing ballerina, I don't know what you will believe! I’m always on the lookout for stories and inspirations, and in the era of romantic ballet, I found them by the dozen! For example, there was Marie Taglioni, a truly legendary figure who literally captivated Europe with her incredible dancing and romantic presence. She's often referred to as “the fairy,” and I’d say the title is more than deserved! I felt the ripples of her influence on every step, every pirouette, of the performance at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, which truly left an indelible mark on me.
Speaking of my travels, if you’ve missed a few of my posts, you must have been under a rock, darlings! But don't worry, we have an excellent selection of stories and travels through the past. Let me just remind you about the last few trips – all amazing, of course, just like this one. The most exciting was, perhaps, my time travelling to the 16th century with the Queen of all dances! The trip was breathtaking, and I could see myself dancing in my gorgeous pink tutu for hours, to the incredible dance sequences performed at Court for Queen Catherine De Medici. You can catch all the amazing details of this adventure in my last few blog posts. Don't miss them!
Oh, I nearly forgot! To keep this ballet time travel trip interesting, I try to find something pink for my collection. I can't bring myself to steal anything, darling! It's simply unethical and would upset the delicate fabric of time travel, don't you know. And of course, I like to make sure my shopping habits have zero environmental impact – always remember to stay conscious and mindful, my little pink pretties. Anyway, for this adventure, I picked up a pretty pink flower, in the gorgeous blooms of May. The little fellow smelled so delightful! It brought such beautiful color to my outfit that day! I had a few minutes left on the Theatre Royal steps after the ballet finished before heading back to Derbyshire, and I made the most of the May evening. As much as I was excited to bring the flower back to Derbyshire to display in a pretty crystal jar, I wanted to see if the colour would last and become a gorgeous pink dye! As you can see, my collection is already blooming! But this wasn't just any flower – oh, it smelled so good and was a most delightful find in my pink collection. It looks so beautiful pressed in the delicate pages of my Ballet Diaries and smells lovely even after all this time!
Before I head off to enjoy my ballet classes, and my beautiful Ballet Diaries and beautiful Pink Collection, you must tell me your favorite color for ballet shoes and let me know what you're up to! Perhaps even find something pink in your wardrobe to wear today? As I’ve said so many times, I want all my sweet readers wearing a pink tutu someday! So spread the word about the magical, elegant power of a pink tutu. The power of dance to transport, to enthral, to make you feel alive.
Now go out there and twirl, dear ones!
Lots of love, Emma.
