#BalletHistory during 1868 10 October

Post Number 2494

Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where tutus are pink, horses are magical, and time travel is simply a hop, skip, and a jump away. It’s Emma here, your very own time-travelling ballerina blogger, and today, I’m whisking you off on a whimsical journey to the Victorian Era!

Buckle up, dear readers, because this is going to be a trip you won’t soon forget. This month, I’m stepping into 10th October 1868, and trust me, the ballet world was positively buzzing.

Now, if you follow my blog, you’ll know my trusty companion on these fabulous expeditions is none other than Magic Meg - my magnificent, pink-sparkling shire horse with the most golden hooves and a mane and tail like spun clouds. Meg, of course, is the epitome of elegance, just like a pink tutu.

As always, my trusty leather rucksack is packed to the brim with all the essentials – my trusty pink ballet shoes, my camera for capturing the most splendid scenes, and of course, my trusty notepad to jot down all the historical ballet bits and bobs! This month, my collection of ballet ephemera is sure to be absolutely enchanting.

And with a wink to Meg and a twirl of my pink tutu, we're off!

Imagine my delight, darlings, when I stepped into the grand foyer of Her Majesty’s Theatre, a dazzling palace of marble and gilding. In this era, ballet was all the rage in London! The French and Italian troupes were dominating the stages, and oh my, their performances were a symphony of grace and grandeur! The choreography was captivating, the costumes were a symphony of colours, and the sheer spectacle of it all left me utterly mesmerised!

Of course, it’s no secret that I am an aficionado of fashion. The ballerinas of this time had a distinctly Victorian style, my dear readers - they sported beautifully tiered tutus in ethereal shades of white, rose, and pale blue, accessorized with diaphanous, billowing sleeves, all meticulously designed to capture the very essence of grace and delicacy. The beauty of the gowns was only further heightened by elegant hairstyles – think voluminous ringlets cascading down their backs, with tiny floral embellishments woven through the tresses. Oh, the glamour!

In addition to the theatre, London was alive with ballet performances! Every now and then, we’d be graced with performances at The Royal Opera House, which has always held a special place in my heart. From dazzling ballerinas gracefully gliding through their ballets to the charming ballet school performances taking place in tiny studios across London, I was awash with a ballet fever!

As a passionate lover of the art form, and naturally a connoisseur of all things lovely and feminine, I simply couldn't resist diving headfirst into the vibrant Victorian shopping scene.

The grand department stores were simply teeming with all sorts of delightful finds! Ribbons galore in the prettiest pastels, handmade lace edging the most elegant petticoats, and of course, a delightful selection of silk ribbons, a perfect accessory for any well-dressed ballerina's hair. And can you imagine, darlings? The very idea of a whole shop dedicated to nothing but ballet shoes - how absolutely enchanting!

As we journeyed from shop to shop, I was constantly drawn to the elegant attire worn by the fashionable ladies of the time. The bustles and bonnets, the delicate floral patterns, the abundance of silk and lace - such exquisite detail, perfectly capturing the elegance and refinement of the era! The beauty of the dresses was enhanced by intricate trims, frills, and sashes. There was a sense of exquisite refinement and undeniable elegance, reminding me why the Victorians had a distinct flair for fashion.

But shopping isn’t the only delight the Victorian Era offered! My heart leaped with joy when we attended a magnificent theatre production! The audience was abuzz with excitement as the curtain rose and revealed the captivating choreography.

The ballets themselves were incredibly impressive - the grace, the strength, the expressive power of each ballerina took my breath away! Oh, my dears, what a privilege it was to be part of such a joyous, passionate environment. It was so wonderful to witness the artistry of the era and, as you can imagine, it gave me some great ideas for my next performance back in modern Derbyshire!

Speaking of performances, darlings, it’s all thanks to my spectacular, pink tutu-clad ballet performances in Derbyshire that I’m able to afford these extravagant time-travel adventures! And I can assure you, every penny earned is spent on my absolute favourite thing: beautiful pink tutus. Because you can never have too many, can you?

Meg, being the wonderful steed she is, had no problem at all hauling back a pile of antique, exquisitely beaded and sequined ballet shoes – some of them still in their original boxes! Just wait until I unveil my new finds for all of you in the upcoming edition of my pink-tutu.com blog!

But of course, all good things must come to an end, and as dusk began to paint the sky with hues of crimson and gold, Meg and I bid farewell to 1868. As I settled into the saddle, the gentle creaking of Meg’s harness and the rhythmic beat of her hooves carried us back to the familiar world of modern Derbyshire.

Back in my familiar life, I'll be busy with ballet performances and preparing for a dazzling performance in the Derbyshire Ballet Theatre. There’s nothing quite like sharing my love of dance with everyone and encouraging everyone to wear pink, of course! But after this breathtaking journey to 1868, you can bet your favourite pink ballet shoes that I’ll be busy designing my own vintage-inspired costumes and experimenting with historical choreography. I already know just the right colours to paint the backdrop!

I do hope you’ve enjoyed my glimpse into 1868! Until next time, remember to live life with grace, twirl often, and never be afraid to embrace the magic of pink tutus.

Yours truly,

Emma, the pink-tutu-wearing time traveller.