Hello my lovely readers! It's your favourite time travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another dose of history, fashion, and of course, the wonderful world of ballet! This month, Magic Meg and I galloped through time to the 11th November, 1870. A chilly November day it was, the air sharp and crisp like the crunch of leaves underfoot. But even with the cold, we felt the thrill of discovery and a dance through the history books!
My oh my, where do I begin? Well, as you know, my beloved pink tutu is the key to my time travelling magic. So naturally, the first order of business was to see what the fashion was like in the ballet world of 1870! As I stepped out of the shimmering pink cloud that materialised Meg and I from, I realised how utterly unpink the world was!
Thankfully, that just meant my dazzling pink tutu stood out even more! It was quite a sight - all the ladies in their floor-length dresses, and then there was me, in my shimmering pink, ready to share some pink-tutu power with the world! I was like a fluffy pink explosion amongst a sea of grey and black.
I must tell you, my dear readers, 1870 wasn't all about gloomy colours. Oh no! In the world of ballet, things were beginning to take a decidedly dramatic turn! While the fashion in the streets was more about elegance and refinement, on stage, ballerinas were embracing the idea of showing their moves, not just hiding them under layers of fabric! I just knew I was in for a treat.
Let's talk ballet, darling! As I twirled through the bustling streets of London, a quick stop at the theatre poster shops gave me all the information I needed: The Royal Opera House was alive with Giselle. This timeless story of love, betrayal and sacrifice never gets old, even when witnessed 150 years ago! And the excitement didn't end there. Over at the Covent Garden (yes, the same building as today!) another treat awaited! A full-length production of La Bayadere, a stunningly beautiful work full of oriental-inspired costumes and breathtaking choreography! I bet the stage lights made that pink tutu gleam!
I had to catch these shows! Now, my trusty leather rucksack, lovingly nicknamed 'Pink Tutu Treasures', was ready for another collection of ballet stories and souvenirs! First, the programmes – just beautiful! Filled with graceful flourishes and fancy font styles! It really shows that, even back then, theatre was a spectacle. I popped in a handbill of a "Giselle" advertisement - such a keepsake!
As for La Bayadere, the show was a feast for the eyes. My favourite ballerina, Emma Livry, took the stage as Nikiya and let me tell you, my dear readers, it was truly something else. This woman could dance circles around the world! She owned the stage, her graceful leaps and delicate spins enchanting everyone present. This performance wasn’t just ballet, it was pure artistry and it truly brought that magic to life. I had to nab a scrap of fabric from one of her costume’s fringes – oh so beautiful!
Now, as for my trip through history, 1870 was quite an interesting year for ballet! While I danced around, learning new steps and feeling the beat of history, I found that things were changing in the ballet world. While tutus were becoming shorter, the ballet dancers were moving towards a more dramatic style, making bigger movements and embracing the freedom of their limbs. This change in ballet was really a journey, not unlike my own. And as I twirled through 1870, my heart was filled with an excitement I haven’t felt in ages. The possibilities!
But of course, what would a journey through time be without a bit of shopping, dear readers? The shops in 1870 were filled with such beautiful things. All those feathers, lace and ribbons - such a delight to the eye.
Of course, being the dedicated historian I am, I snagged some fashion articles about dance fashion from the Illustrated London News. Such wonderful insight into how ballerinas were choosing their attire! It gave me some fabulous ideas for my next vintage ballet performance back in Derbyshire! It was all about flowing skirts and tight-fitting bodices, but just wait until I give it the Emma Livry-style treatment!
And now, a quick peek into the backstage life! There, I met a dancer who had a story to share – her tale about a grand Russian dancer called Rosine Stokl, who toured the globe in a pink and feathered costume! This dancer’s story is a real highlight of my travels!
Speaking of the globe, what’s better than travelling across the decades in a pink tutu? Travelling the globe while sporting one, that’s what! With Magic Meg by my side, and my little rucksack packed with goodies and adventures, I just know this is the beginning of something fabulous.
Now, tell me, dear readers, what do you want to see? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to wear your pink tutus! It’s time for us to spread the pink tutu magic, across time and across the world!
Until next month!
Your travelling ballerina,
Emma.
