#BalletHistory during 1873 01 January

Hello lovelies, and welcome to another magical journey through time! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, and I'm thrilled to be taking you all back to the year 1873. This month, I'm going all Victorian on you - buckle up, buttercup, because we're going on a whirl-wind tour of a bygone era!

As always, my trusty steed, the divine Magic Meg - a shire horse who would make any pink tutu blush with her own gleaming pink sparkle, golden hooves, and flowing white mane and tail - is ready to whisk us off. Her gleaming, pink satin bridle matches my tutu, of course - it's a matching set! My leather rucksack is prepped, ready to hold all the incredible ballet treasures I find.

This time, we're landing in London on January 1st, 1873. It's a frosty day with a touch of crispness in the air, a delightful contrast to the warmth and magic of the theatre. Now, you might not believe it, but back in this era, people are getting ready to celebrate not just the start of a new year, but the beginning of a new age of ballet!

The theatre world in London is abuzz with the exciting prospect of the first season at the Royal Opera House under the new management of Sir Augustus Harris. This grand Victorian visionary has big plans for this magnificent space.

This date in 1873, you wouldn't find a big show at the Royal Opera House though. There were no ballets programmed to open the season! It was mainly a concert series in the beginning. It wasn't until the 15th January 1873, that Sir Augustus Harris presented "The Black Crook", a sensation that would shake up the English theatre world, sparking an influx of new ballerinas! This daring, and surprisingly successful (despite the lack of nudity) melodrama was quite different to the grand classical ballets we are familiar with today! It introduced us to a new American style of spectacular ballet, filled with exciting choreography, sensational scenery, and plenty of exciting plot twists!

Now, who's ready to explore the world of ballet and Victorian London? Follow me through the bustling streets as I go hunting for pink inspiration!

My very first stop? Why, the opulent world of Victorian fashion, of course! After all, a ballet tutu is nothing without its coordinating outfit! Today, it's all about rich colours and delicate details, reminding me a bit of the gorgeous, voluminous dresses of the ballerinas I've seen at the Paris Opera Ballet in the late 1800s.

You might be surprised, but back in Victorian London, you wouldn't necessarily see ballerinas wearing what we think of today as the traditional, bright pink tutu. Ballet, back in this time period, had a certain regal charm to it. The ballerinas, especially in a classic ballet like "Swan Lake", might don a white, ethereal tulle skirt, giving a very romantic look that embodies innocence.

Imagine delicate, lace-trimmed bonnets perched atop stylishly coiffed hair. There are a ton of frills on these bodices - some almost reaching to the shoulders with delicate sleeves, often paired with voluminous skirts for a lovely flowing silhouette. If it's a performance, it's very possible they’ll be layered under silk and lace to give extra sheen and detail, a luxurious dream in delicate pastels like pale pinks and ivory. A light layer of satin might even be on the upper part of the leg for an extra, smooth, flowing feeling. This time period has some great pink inspirations for the ballerina!

Now, you know my favourite colour is pink, but here in 1873, there is a distinct emphasis on elegant neutrals like black, white, and pale greys. If we’re speaking of pink, think less barbie-pink, and more blushing peach, with delicate blush-coloured ruffles and ribbons, for a more graceful and sophisticated vibe.

I'm not shy of a splash of pink though, and luckily, I found a delightful shop selling beautifully hand-painted china - and look, a teacup with dainty pink flowers adorning it! That’s a keeper for my ballet collection - maybe this little teapot will remind me of 1873 when I see the beautiful tutus being danced in future performances! I can’t resist the urge to browse - the gorgeous patterns and delicate china have a real "ballerina charm" to them, even in 1873.

Now, what's a day in London without a spot of afternoon tea? And it just so happens that one of the most famous tea shops in the world is opening its doors this year! It’s called Fortnum & Mason and they've got all the delightful delicacies one could want. The shop is brimming with cakes, biscuits, jams and marmalades, enough to fill the stage of the Royal Opera House! They’ve even got pink floral-patterned teacups and a truly delectable-looking pink sponge cake - I must have a bite. I imagine it will go rather well with a cuppa Earl Grey tea.

One sip of this decadent tea and you'd swear you were transported to a performance at the Covent Garden Theatre in 1873, with a whole line up of captivating ballets. Oh, I’ve heard they are already putting on "Cinderella", "La Fille Mal Gardée" and "The Sleeping Beauty" this year! Can you imagine, these captivating works performed with delicate charm of Victorian elegance? Now, that's something I'd truly love to see. I wonder what they'll have at the royal opera house?

Oh, I almost forgot! Remember the Royal Opera House that opened its doors just last month in 1873? It's undergoing some big changes now - we're at the start of something quite exciting for ballet history.

The current stage is made of "wood covered with strong canvas". Isn’t it funny how far things have come with stages now! Sir Augustus Harris will do his best to bring back the glorious art form, even in this time when the theater has a strong Victorian flare. It is about time ballet got back its former glory after the decline of opera ballets, as music-halls took center stage in London!

You might be surprised that back in the 1870s, the ballerinas in London didn’t use point shoes as they did in Italy. They would mainly perform “en demi-pointe”. Think of the grace and lightness of pointe work, with a focus on fluidity and soft landings rather than those amazing big jumps! They often did a lot of the French ballets here in London back then too. Imagine the intricate footwork! How stunning it would have been to see those ladies gracefully move across the stage, their movements fluid and light, while performing those captivating stories.

Today, as we take in the dazzling spectacle of ballet and soak in the exquisite energy of the stage, it’s wonderful to realize how this art form continues to evolve, reinventing itself for each generation and keeping a hold on those heartstrings. We’ve had the privilege to journey back in time to explore ballet's historical journey to 1873, where it became a staple of the Victorian era.

Don't forget, everyone, you can be your own little "pink tutu" - embrace your inner ballerinas and don’t forget to always live life on a bit of a "demi-pointe." With each step we take in this fabulous art form, we discover more to love!

Oh, and don't forget to pop by www.pink-tutu.com for more ballet inspiration and time-travelling tales. I’ll be back next month, so keep an eye on the blog, and always keep on twirling! Happy dancing, my darlings.