Hello my lovelies! It's Emma here, ready to whisk you away on another delightful time travel escapade with your favourite pink-tutu-wearing ballerina! This month, Magic Meg, my dazzling pink Shire horse with golden hooves, took us on a journey to the Victorian era. Now, I know you might be thinking "Emma, the Victorians?! But tutus were so… stiff and scratchy then!" And to that, I say - fear not, darling! The beauty of time travel is that I can wear any tutu I please, even a delightful, swirly confection that wouldn't look out of place at the Bolshoi! And while the fashion of the day might not have been exactly pink tutu-friendly, believe me, it wasn't all corseted primness!
We arrived in London, and what a bustle it was! A symphony of carriages, horse-drawn trams, and those fabulous ladies sporting magnificent bustles - it felt like a scene out of a Victorian melodrama!
What was on in the World of Ballet on the 10th October 1883?
Now, you know me, I was simply dying to know what the ballet world was up to on this day. So, we headed straight to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane! I even persuaded Magic Meg to squeeze into a narrow cobbled side street to drop off our horse-drawn chariot.
I gathered my pink sparkly tutu as gracefully as I could while the locals looked on with wide-eyed curiosity. They whispered about me, I could tell - something like: "Goodness me, look at the fancy lass with that outrageous, erm... garment?" But, with a smile as bright as the ruby studs on my shoes, I strode confidently to the theatre. It's all in the confidence, darling!
I had a sneak peek into the theatre! Imagine the scene – elegant women draped in satin gowns, men in crisp formalwear, and oh, the gas lamps cast a golden glow across the beautiful architecture. It was an absolutely enchanting experience, just bursting with Victorian theatre glamour. And I must say, that intoxicating whiff of gaslight and perfume made me want to start spinning in a graceful pirouette!
Back to My Fashion Finds...
Of course, I couldn't leave the 19th century without bringing back some stylish souvenirs! This time, I popped into a vintage shop tucked away on a quiet side street and stumbled upon a real gem - a beautiful ivory ballet shoe, perfect for my collection. A touch of the 1880s magic!
From Theatre to …Ballet Class?!
The highlight of my trip had to be finding a Victorian-era ballet school! Now, they called it a "Dancing Academy" then - but believe me, darling, the techniques and artistry were there, even if the tutus were a little less fluffy than mine.
The instructors were very precise, demanding precision and posture, you see. No wonder the dancers in that era had such impeccable lines! It felt almost as strict as a royal ballet class - which reminded me of a fabulous time when I got to perform for Queen Victoria... Oh! But that's another story for another time!
I did, however, manage to snaffle a little "Dance Manual" written in beautiful cursive. It’s got exercises, choreography, and some incredible dance terminology. I even found an inscription on the cover: "To my dear Henrietta, who dances with grace and elegance." Henrietta sounds like my kind of dancer - I can’t wait to learn more about her, don't you think?
The Heart and Soul of Ballet Through the Ages
As always, it wasn’t just about the fashion and glamour, darling. I’m always trying to learn about the heart and soul of ballet from different eras, and this trip, I learnt something very special about how the ballet world valued technique and dedication even back then. It’s not just about twirling and posing, lovelies, it’s a true commitment to the art, and I admire that. And wouldn't you know it, I found a beautiful vintage poster advertising a local production of La Sylphide in my ballet rucksack when I got back! I’ll add that to my collection for sure, and we’ll all just have to find time for some vintage ballet performances when we can, I do hope.
Don't Forget - The Tutu Mission Continues!
So, there you have it, another delightful trip in the world of time travel! Until next month, keep dancing your heart out, spread that pink tutu love, and be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com to stay up-to-date on all the exciting happenings in the pink-tutu world! And if you’re a ballerina looking for inspiration - don’t be afraid to take a page out of a Victorian dancer’s book: precision, grace, and an unrelenting passion for the art, darling!
Till next time!
xx
