Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, your monthly dose of ballet history and fabulous frocks. I'm Emma, your time-travelling ballerina, and today, I'm bringing you all the latest from...wait for it... drumroll… 1885, 4th April!
It’s been a busy month here at Pink Tutu HQ. I just finished a stunning performance in Derbyshire (a whirlwind of tutus and pirouettes, of course), and my dear Magic Meg is all ready for another exciting trip! Did you know that 4th April is just a week before the Royal Ballet’s big show?
Ah, I just love Royal Ballet. You see, this year is very special because Her Majesty Queen Victoria has commissioned a new ballet for her birthday, and it’s just about to premiere at the grand Covent Garden theatre! This magnificent piece, ‘La Esmeralda’ – a ballet inspired by Victor Hugo's book - is being choreographed by none other than the renowned Marius Petipa, the man behind my absolute favourite 'The Sleeping Beauty'. I just can’t wait to see it. Imagine the grandeur!
But before I set off on my journey to the world of 19th-century ballet, let me tell you about what happened to me this past month! It was positively incredible! I went back to that Paris, the city of romance and fashion, and even waltzed with a charming gentleman (don’t worry, mother, it was all very respectable!) It seems as if every single street corner is alive with music, laughter and dancing. Imagine being surrounded by such joyful energy all the time – oh, to live in a time when people waltzed into the streets for fun!
The shops were full of exquisite outfits too! Imagine lace, ruffles, and ribbons everywhere, and every single piece adorned with beautiful silk flowers – a truly spectacular sight. I absolutely had to add a new vintage corsage to my collection for this month's Pink Tutu box!
Now, let's travel to 4th April, 1885. Just imagine the grandeur of London, full of bustle and elegance, ready to welcome the season of spring! Can’t you just picture the horses pulling carriages through the cobbled streets, and the beautiful, colourful clothes everywhere, even those worn by the horse drawn cab drivers! The streets will be filled with theatregoers on their way to enjoy the very best entertainment. I am itching to join them!
On this particular 4th April, you could’ve found me attending the very special performance by the renowned Italian ballet dancer, Virginia Zucchi. She is known for her impeccable grace and elegance - a true star in the world of ballet. How I longed to be in the audience for this event! I love finding a hidden piece of history from a famous performance.
As a ballerina, my dream is to explore every single ballet from every era and share their beauty with the world. After all, ballet is a powerful language, it is art that transcends language barriers, it’s pure poetry in motion – don’t you agree? It’s a legacy of generations of dancers, a rich tapestry of movement and emotion, and, frankly, who can resist a sparkling tutu?
After the grand finale of ‘La Esmeralda’ – a performance filled with dancing, grace and emotions - I can't wait to grab a hot chocolate at a quaint London cafe and perhaps, try on a brand-new pair of dance shoes at a little boutique hidden in the cobbled streets of Victorian London. After all, every girl needs a little shopping spree every now and again, and what could be better than exploring 19th-century fashion?
And you know, darlings, it wouldn't be a trip without Magic Meg! The moment she snorts, paws the ground, and takes me on that magical journey through time, you can bet I’ll have my pink tutu, my camera and my leather rucksack ready to collect precious stories, ballet shoes, and some fantastically ornate fashion items from the time. Don’t worry, it’ll all be carefully added to my collection and I’ll be sharing it with you, as usual, in the Pink Tutu box.
So, join me next month, my loves, as we travel further into the fascinating world of ballet history. Until then, remember to wear your pink tutus with pride, spread the joy of dance, and keep your eyes on the world of ballet.
With love and pirouettes,
Emma
