Hello my darling tutu-loving darlings! It's Emma here, and today I'm hopping back in time with Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkling Shire, for another exciting ballet adventure! This month we're visiting the year 1812, and you won't believe what we found!
It was all such a whirl! After a bit of a late night last night watching a production of Swan Lake with a simply stunning portrayal of the dying swan, I was off at the crack of dawn. A good, healthy breakfast of strawberries and cream (don't you just love how delicate and pretty strawberries look in the morning light?) followed by a quick run through my barre routine to ensure I was completely ready to dance on this trip. I do get terribly flustered if my turnout isn't just right, darling, and I want to be perfectly polished in whatever time period I find myself in.
The stables were bursting with excitement this morning as Magic Meg stamped her hooves with glee, she just adores a good time travel. Her mane, which I have to confess, I absolutely spoil with pink shimmer spray (I must share my hairdressing secrets with you another time), swished about in the morning breeze as we set off! With my little leather rucksack firmly strapped to my back (it holds so many interesting and beautiful ballet treasures) and a big smile plastered on my face, we were off!
I couldn't wait to see what ballet was like in the early 19th century. We were off to the Imperial Theatre in Vienna, Austria, which is absolutely teeming with amazing theatre productions. Can you imagine?!
We had to be a little clever to get through to this point in time though - with our little magic charm, of course. I was a tad bit nervous - I've never time travelled to continental Europe before! What if they didn't speak English? Oh my goodness, I can just see it now: my bright pink tutu causing a real commotion!
Well, thank goodness I don't need to speak any other language - it seems the universal language of ballet transcends borders! We walked into the grand entrance of the Imperial Theatre, all ornate carvings and dazzling chandeliers (oh, you just know I had a good peek at the beautiful ladies in their shimmering gowns - and that I added a little shimmer spray myself). Everyone seemed to look so glamorous! It's enough to make a girl go mad with fashion envy, I tell you!
As I strolled down the corridors of the theatre, feeling a little out of place with my modern-day hairdo (just a simple but elegant up-do - nothing too dramatic, I promise!), I spotted a familiar face! A ballet master no less, in a long black coat - just as stylish as any modern-day ballet star - leading a troupe of dancers through their paces.
I peeked into a rehearsal room through a gap in the door (shhh, please don't tell anyone - it was hard not to peep!)- and there, all in white, were some of the most extraordinary dancers you've ever seen! The men, especially, were performing some really impressive jumps - all with pointed toes and such impressive turnout - it was truly magical! Imagine, even back then they were already working on achieving that beautiful turnout that every ballerina dreams of. It seems some things really don't change - well, apart from the very tight, corseted dresses. Ugh, just thinking about that tightness is giving me a headache!
You won't believe what was in that rehearsal room: ballet shoes!! Oh, how I adored those shoes! Leather shoes with thin leather soles and soft laces. You see, the early 1800s marked the beginning of the romantic ballet era, and romantic ballet saw some truly magnificent artistic breakthroughs - one of those was the pointe shoe, but not as we know it today! Just think: the early romantic ballerinas danced in shoes that wasn't pointe!
Now, the theatre wasn't just a place to watch ballet, oh no! They used the theatre for many other things - like having lectures on history, science and even poetry readings! You'd see some famous intellectuals walking through the corridors! Can you imagine learning about the history of ballet from some of the most renowned artists in Vienna? Dreams really do come true! I did not fail to take copious notes in my rucksack.
My Ballet Fashion Corner But here's the real secret: It seems fashion trends were just as vibrant in those days. While the theatre world of 1812 embraced elegance and sophistication, a lot of ladies weren't too keen on wearing any form of ballet shoes! A lot of ballerinas still relied on bare feet in their dancing - just imagine! And that means it wasn't a question of ballet fashion. Oh no, those days were much more about pretty, long flowing dresses! Imagine being surrounded by a flurry of beautiful fabrics, each ballerina unique in her elegant ensemble! What a fabulous moment in time!
I'm absolutely thrilled about the little glimpse we've had of 1812 - the world was bursting with creative ideas and bold artistic leaps! There's just so much we can learn from those years gone by, and a little glimpse into the history of ballet really does change the way you see a show, don't you think?
And I truly hope that this little glimpse into the romantic period of ballet inspires you to wear a pink tutu. After all, fashion is about expression - just like ballet! Oh, I can't forget to say goodbye - until next month, remember to twirl with joy and embrace life! Keep your tutus sparkling, darlings! xx
Remember to visit www.pink-tutu.com to find more of Emma's amazing time travel stories! And be sure to tune in next month for the next thrilling chapter in her life.
