Hello, my darling dancers! Emma here, and today I'm practically pirouetting with excitement. August the 8th, 1849 is calling! Magic Meg's hooves are practically tingling, and my new pink tutu is practically begging for a whirl in the spotlight of history!
I have to tell you, there's something about time travelling to a date with such a lovely, strong number that makes my heart beat a little faster. Don't you agree? Now, gather 'round as we dive into this fantastic journey back to the world of ballet, fashion, and, of course, pink tutus!
It’s the middle of August 1849 and London's abuzz! It seems everyone's excited for the opera and theatre season, with big productions going on all across the city. You know me, I just have to be there, catching glimpses of what ballet was like way back when. I imagine I’d have had a rather grand time watching ballerinas in their flowing tutus and long, delicate sleeves. And imagine! Back then, men had beards!
Of course, the heart of my journey is always the ballet. And in 1849, things were just starting to take a fascinating turn! Ballet, then known as 'serious dancing,' had already established itself in England thanks to the arrival of Marie Taglioni. She was a total icon - with her lightweight tutus that made her practically fly on stage. People were spellbound! The very idea of ballerinas taking on the lead role in a performance - they were just captivating!
Back in Derbyshire, a girl can only dream about getting into London's theatre scene. You'd be shocked by the number of plays they were putting on - I hear the theatre is packed every night, all those people eager to see the latest ballet shows! But back in London, where we're headed, the London ballet scene is still growing. In fact, we might even see a brand new ballet! Now, that will be something!
It’s really not all about tutus though! Fashion in 1849 is excitingly ornate. I’m hoping to find some inspiration in my time travelling travels to add a touch of vintage sparkle to my modern ballet style!
I must say, I’m also curious about how London looks. What shops and cafes will there be? I’ve seen a picture in a museum of a shop window display from 1849 and my heart practically skipped a beat with all its exquisite lace and feathers. You know how much I adore lace and feathers!
Speaking of shops, don't forget my beautiful ballet backpack! I'm ready to fill it up with ballet treasures – maybe a bit of lace to embellish a new tutu design or maybe a few more ballet sketches for my blog! The journey may be challenging - imagine those cobblestones - but there is nothing like a beautiful, sparkly vintage ribbon! Perhaps some interesting books on 19th century dance will be hiding amongst the dusty shelves of London shops, waiting for me to bring them home and discover their stories!
My ballet time travel blog is like my own secret diary, except this one’s filled with ballet adventures and ballet dreams involving fashion and history all intertwined! I mean, who could ask for more? Oh, and a new pink tutu, maybe with some delicate, silver glitter - just for that special vintage feeling!
Hold onto your tutus, everyone, and let's get this ballet time travel adventure started!
Magic Meg’s Adventures in London!So here we are, in 1849 London, bustling with its cobbled streets and grand Victorian buildings! I can hardly believe we're here! This town is alive! I can already feel a hint of the elegant atmosphere that is swirling all around me, from the fashionable Londoners walking by to the sounds of the horse-drawn carriages. Even Magic Meg is getting into the spirit of it all, and I just know we are about to be whisked into an exciting whirlwind of ballet discovery!
We start by galloping around London, watching people go about their day - it's absolutely fascinating! As Magic Meg and I travel through the cobbled streets, I can just feel that amazing sense of London’s unique history. I almost expect a hansom cab to come around the corner with a stylishly dressed lady riding in it!
A stop by the Covent Garden Theatre, of course, is a must! This theatre is a historic marvel – even more beautiful than I imagined! I could get lost for days in its opulent decor, but today, it's all about the ballet. They have quite a repertoire! They've got everything from the classics – Giselle (the drama!) and La Sylphide (those light, floating moves!*) - to new productions that are making quite a buzz in London's theatrical circles. Can you imagine all the secrets and stories the theatre’s walls have witnessed through time?
Our journey doesn't end at the theatre. We have the Covent Garden Opera House, which has hosted brilliant performances – can you even imagine the beauty of all those shimmering gowns and sparkling jewellery, the excitement in the air before the show, all that gorgeous music swirling about! My imagination can barely contain it all!
Later, we hop onto the theatre scene with The Daughter of the Regiment. It’s so romantic! I think every girl back then must have dreamt about becoming a ballet star, but so many families, of course, couldn’t afford it. I just hope one day every young girl, no matter what, will have a chance to discover the wonder of dance, because really, a beautiful tutu and dancing are so much a part of who we are as women!
Now, here’s where things get super exciting: In just a few days, we’re off to the Opera House in Vienna. Can you even imagine Vienna? My pink tutu and I have been eagerly looking forward to the grandeur of this historical ballet hot spot. All I can say is Oh La La! - Vienna’s got a stunning theatre, incredible ballet productions - I bet they'll be just breathtaking! It seems the entire ballet world in 1849 is so incredibly linked, I simply can't believe it! Vienna is where so many incredible ballets have been written, choreographed and brought to life. The creativity!
My ballet time travel adventure, I am telling you - it's never short of drama. We're making connections with all the beautiful stories and people of the past. We are seeing how they’ve built upon all those things that we take for granted today – like our love of ballet and our style - the way we love to get dressed up in those elegant costumes for those exciting evenings out, but especially our tutus - of course, my beautiful tutus. But then it's back to 2024 – to continue our love affair with ballet - because you’re right to say that my passion for ballet is so inspiring - it gets you to feel the beauty and the love. It takes us away to places we never imagined and brings all those exciting adventures to our lives!
Until next time! Remember - Always keep a spare pink tutu with you - you never know what kind of exciting adventure may come along!
Emma