Hello my lovelies! Itâs Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and this month Iâm bringing you all the glamorous gossip from May in ballet history. Buckle up, darlings, because weâre going on a whirlwind tour of the world, exploring all the exciting happenings in ballet land! đ
Iâm absolutely thrilled to be writing to you from my latest escapade! Just last week, I rode my trusty steed, Magic Meg (a magnificent pink-sparkling shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane and tail, if you havenât met her before), all the way to Derbyshire, my home county, for a truly enchanting trip back to the year 1859. You simply must see Derbyshire in the Spring, darling! Itâs bursting with wildflowers and such an amazing sight.
Derbyshire Dance Delights: A Peek into 1859!
While Derbyshire might not be a ballet hot-spot nowadays, imagine my surprise to discover that it played host to a little-known theatrical event back in 1859. It was an incredibly glamorous event â all frills and sequins. You could say I felt right at home! We have a local theatre in Derby called The Theatre Royal and it was alive with ballets, pantomimes and operas. You know how much I love a pantomime, donât you? The one they were putting on was "Babes in the Wood", I hear the costumes were spectacular and full of colour, of course I bagged a couple of beautiful velvet headbands from the "Babes in the Wood" pantomime and I have a hunch I will wear them for a future show.
Imagine this: beautiful ladies adorned in shimmering dresses, men with impressive moustaches in elegant suits, and then, wait for it⊠a performance that incorporated a new form of ballet called "Ballet dâAction". The ladies are simply stunning, all elegance and grace with so much dramatic energy. Imagine me rushing to try it out myself â I simply had to, darling! And yes, it was a whirlwind of elegant steps, flowing movement, and captivating drama. It felt just like a modern performance except more Victorian, of course!
More Ballet Beauties: Beyond Derbyshire!
Derbyshireâs magical trip, of course, wasnât all, darlings. As you know, I like to gather as many little treasures as I can from each period to put into my leather rucksack â itâs like my time-travel scrapbook, really. This month, I have a beautiful silk handkerchief with a pretty floral motif â a true keepsake for my collection!
Now, letâs journey across the globe. In Paris, my favourite city! It seems like ballet was alive and well on our very date of interest. There was a special "Gala" event on at the esteemed ThĂ©Ăątre ImpĂ©rial de lâOpĂ©ra, where famous ballet stars graced the stage â can you imagine, darlings! Youâve simply got to get yourselves tickets for the theatre when itâs on your travels! And wouldnât you know it, a renowned ballet dancer, Carolina Rosati, wowed the crowd that evening with her grace and dazzling performances. Itâs no wonder she became so well-known, you could almost hear her tutu rustling on the stage and see her dainty pink satin slippers twirling!
From Ballet Shoes to High Society:
May is a fabulous month for ballet around the globe! And that's not all, darling, because May 1859 saw a new production in London that simply must be discussed. The stunning âLe Roi Carotteâ had its premiĂšre in the city! If youâre thinking, âLe Roi what?â, well you are in for a treat. Itâs an opera-ballet featuring dancing ladies, men with top hats and dancing clowns, the very image of a beautiful London production. Itâs almost enough to make you crave a warm slice of Victoria Sponge!
And, my dearest darlings, let's not forget our darling New York! The year was 1859 and the theatre scene was getting serious with more and more dramatic and exciting ballet performances. What an amazing time for the dance community!
Embracing the Pink Tutu Life:
There are no limits, darlings! Just like my adventures with Magic Meg, the world of ballet knows no boundaries. This month, I'm spreading the pink tutu love in Derbyshire, London, Paris and New York. My collection of ballet tales grows more abundant with each journey, inspiring my own creative endeavors, such as my recent choreographed performance of the âDerbyshire Dreamâ where I used pieces from my vintage Victorian-inspired âBabes in the Woodâ costume.
I hope you, my lovely ballet enthusiasts, have also been inspired by your own ballet journeys this month. And if not, there is never a bad time to step into your own pink tutu. For a world where everyone wears a pink tutu? Well that is my aim, darlings, that's what I strive for, a world where the power of ballet transcends all, where it takes centre stage in every country, every city, and even every little Derbyshire village!
Until next month, my precious pink tutu loving crew, may your dancing shoes be ready for more amazing ballet adventures. Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com, for more pink-tutu fuelled fashion, and to leave me comments with your own ballet tales â I'd love to hear from you.
