Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, and it's time for another whimsical journey through history. Buckle up, because this month we're heading back to 1869! I'm always so thrilled to be hopping on Magic Meg, my gorgeous pink sparkly shire horse with the golden hooves, and heading to the past for another adventure in the wonderful world of ballet!
This time, however, I must admit, I was particularly excited. You see, June the 6th in 1869 marked the opening of a truly remarkable ballet school! This little gem, the Royal Ballet School, is celebrating its 150th anniversary, and of course, it wouldn't be right for me to skip this landmark date!
As always, Magic Meg took me there in a flash - a glorious pink streak across time, a symphony of sparkling stardust and a hint of my favourite perfume, 'Tutu Temptation' - the only scent suitable for a ballet-loving time traveller, don't you think?
Arriving in London, 1869, I could almost feel the excitement tingling in the air. I found myself surrounded by elegant ladies and gentlemen, all heading to the grand, Victorian theatre - a real feast for the eyes, my dears. And I, of course, was not to be outdone!
With a swish and a twirl, I donned my latest masterpiece, a tutu with shades of pink so delicate they whispered secrets to the breeze, all crafted with the finest feathers and embroidered with pearl-like beads - absolutely dazzling!
Imagine my delight when I saw a young gentleman approaching. He was elegantly dressed, with a twinkle in his eye, and looked so very...interesting! He told me he was a writer named Charles Dickens, and had been looking for inspiration for a story about...you guessed it, a ballerina! Can you believe it, a ballerina in a Charles Dickens story? Isn't that divine? I felt like I had stumbled upon a magical fairy tale myself!
Before my enchanting encounter with Mr Dickens, though, the most thrilling part was entering the ballet school! You know, there is nothing like the feeling of a dance school; the anticipation of all the lovely routines that the students would learn, the beautiful tutus they would wear, the joy that is shared within those four walls - absolutely glorious!
Now, what happened on the actual 6th June 1869 in the grand ballet world? Well, let's have a quick peek at my notes in my rucksack... (It's a beautiful vintage leather rucksack, perfect for collecting all the historical gems from my time travels. You'll have to see a picture of it in my next blog, darling). So...
What Was the World of Ballet Saying?The world of ballet was buzzing with news from the continent! I found this incredibly exciting. As I am, of course, from the heart of Derbyshire, England, and so keen on all the latest trends in ballet.
Our esteemed neighbour, France, was bursting with new productions at the Opera de Paris. Can you believe, they actually had two ballets by a most brilliant choreographer, Arthur Saint-Léon, a man truly obsessed with dance! Oh my goodness, you should have seen his routines; leaps of passion and graceful ballets of exquisite skill, and of course, a delightful blend of romanticism. The names? "La Source," and "La Fille du Pharaon" - can't you already imagine the stunning costumes?
My little bird tells me the ladies in London had started sporting the 'la danse du ventre', a mesmerising belly-dance that would be brought back to France, as all the best fashion trends do, and be loved in the ballets there - absolutely divine, don't you think?
As for Vienna, my diary tells me about "Aschenbrödel," meaning "Cinder-ella", which is rather appropriate, isn't it? A new version of the fairytale! Oh, the romance! Imagine dancing shoes, a magical carriage, and a whole host of glamorous gowns!
As for Vienna - they just had to outdo the Parisians! Their latest, grand production was the ever so theatrical "König Karl" - the king of ballet in their eyes, you see!
My travels are always so rewarding; meeting fascinating people, finding stories, and immersing myself in history. This month, I think this ballet school and the incredible ballet performances happening all across the continent left an imprint on my soul...oh, the passion, the love for the dance. It makes me so thrilled to be part of this wonderful, timeless, and ever-changing world. Don't you agree?
So, darlings, until next time! And do keep looking out for more updates at www.pink-tutu.com! Stay stylish, always keep the pink twirling, and dream big, \ Emma x
P.S. Remember: Every little girl is a princess and everyone deserves to wear a pink tutu! So why not give it a go and embrace your inner ballerina!
