Helloooo my darling tutu-lovers! It's your girl, Emma, and welcome to another magical Pink Tutu Time Travel adventure! š©°š
June has been positively bursting with beautiful blooms! A real treat for a girl who loves all things pretty, especially if they involve pink and tutus! This month, Magic Meg and I decided to take a little jaunt back to 19th Century London, where, you'll never guess!ā¦ The Royal Opera House had just opened itās doors for the very first time! Can you believe it?! š
Donāt get me wrong, there are definitely advantages to living in this centuryā¦ ahem wifi, ahem heated showers, and ahem easy access to pizza at 3am (not that I would ever do that, of courseā¦ ;)). But darling, nothing beats experiencing the magic of ballet at its very birth! The air crackled with a unique energy! Imagineā¦ being part of the audience on opening night for one of the most legendary ballet venues in the whole world! š¤Æ
Just the journey through time with Meg was enough to take my breath away! She pranced down the cobblestone streets of London, her sparkly hooves gleaming in the gaslight, and her beautiful white mane flowing behind her like a whimsical cloud. Imagine, Meg actually had the most stunning sparkly pink saddle and matching halter! The crowds of Londoners were simply amazed! A little girl even cried out āLook, there's the pink fairy!" š„° I must admit, I did feel like I was part of a fairy tale. And of course, there were whispers āDoes she see us?ā But I think they secretly wished that she could see them too, just like we do!
Speaking of fairy tales, darlingā¦ imagine the clothes! My outfit for this journey had to be a little extra-special! Think blush pink silk, delicate floral lace, and feather boas all carefully layered on top of the most beautiful pale pink tulle skirt. š©°
And now for the highlight of our trip - the Royal Opera House itself! Imagine! This exquisite building! Just stepping inside felt like stepping into another world. The plush velvet seating was scarlet and gold (yes darling, just like my dream bedroomā¦ just kidding š!) The stage shimmered with light from crystal chandeliers andā¦ wait for itā¦ it even had a balcony! The only problem, darlingā¦ was the absence of any pink tutus! Scandalous! They weren't quite as aware of the pink tutu magic back thenā¦ and quite frankly, that's where I stepped in!
Once we were settled into our seats, I couldn't resist sharing a few little Pink Tutu tips with the other ladies in the audienceā¦ who all looked absolutely dapper in their long, flowing gowns!
"You see ladies," I said in a charming whisper. "Tutus, well they are not just for the dancers. A beautiful pink tutu really sets off the colour of your eyes and enhances the radiance of your complexion, and..." The look on their faces! They'd never considered that a tutu was a wardrobe staple! And I, darling, I made a pact. I had to make this mission about more than just ballet! This, my darling readers, is going to be a big pink Tutu revolution! You watch this space!
For my part, I made sure to bring out my personal favourite pink tutu, the one my great-grandmother wore when she danced in a musical for a London theater company in the early 1920s! It had the most incredible lace trim that was like cobwebs and butterflies in one, and it shone beautifully under the gaslight of the opera house. It practically had a personality of its own. The girls all swooned! (The dapper gentlemen just chuckled and said they āliked the colour.ā)
The ballet I saw that night was simply breathtaking! The story, oh darlingā¦ it was a love story set in an ancient, forgotten kingdom, about two beautiful spirits whoā¦ yes!ā¦ danced and fell in love. There were twirling fairies with gossamer wings and grand princes in sequined tights (pink, of course)! I practically burst from my seat with joy! It was so beautifully dramatic, romantic, and, well, yes.. pretty, with elaborate costumes and sweeping, graceful choreography. You would've been transported to a realm of dreams, and I know, you love a good fairytale, just as much as I do! š„°
During the performance, a dancer, whose skirt was a bit too short, dropped to her knees, looking embarrassed! And here's what I did, you see? I rushed onto the stage, and with a little flourish, and wink to the audience, threw my own tulle tutu on top of hers! Her costume was magnificently restored with that burst of pink loveliness and the entire crowd went wild! It really is the most transformative accessoryā¦ isnāt it?! They had never seen anything like it! š¤Æ
And my darlings, it all reminded meā¦ that sometimes we must make the world more beautiful! In the future, in the pastā¦ well, whenever I am wandering, my beautiful pink tutus are going to take centre stage! š
I finished off the night by joining a ball held in honour of the opening of the theatre. Now, dancing amongst all the elegant folk in the capital is really specialā¦ youāre like a queen, walking amongst other queens! The gentlemen even asked me for a waltz! You see, I'm very confident when Iām wearing a pink tutu - that really makes a difference to any ball! They weren't very keen on my ballet-inspired moves at first but once I gave them my signature tutu twirl and dipped low to show off the pink-feathered trim on my bodice (and my sparkly pink socks) - well they were begging for more! š
The time travelled foodā¦ well that is a story for another post! The gentlemen werenāt keen on the chicken nuggets and burgers. They just arenāt what you expect to find at a ball back then! š¤£
Butā¦ after all, that is what makes time travel so delightful, don't you think? Finding the unexpected! š« So darling, keep on dancing! Follow your dreams and find your own pink tutu joy, because darling, life is too short to dance in any other colour! šš
And now darling, before I get sidetrackedā¦ a quick rundown on what was happening in the world of ballet in 19th century London on this exact day! You wonāt believe how exciting it all isā¦
Ballet in London - The Romantic EraThis, darlingā¦ was an era of absolute revolution for ballet! š©° You see, ballet in this time was all about expressing emotions! Think graceful and flowing movements, soft music and beautiful, flowing dresses! They even introduced the āballerinaā, which you might recognise from Swan Lake! So elegant! And it was the era that produced all the beautiful iconic story ballets - those lovely fairy tales we love so much!
In 19th-century London, you might have caught some of these famous shows - if you could have managed to get a seat! And remember, darlings, this is just a little hint of what was on offer! It really was a golden era!
Giselle: A hauntingly beautiful story of a young peasant girl who dies from heartbreak and returns as a wili. Imagine, she joins with a band of fairies who torment men who have betrayed their loved ones!
La Sylphide: This show was so beautiful - about a young Scottish man who falls in love with a magical creature called a sylph - only to find out that sheās not actually human, and is condemned to live on earth if sheās ever caught by the other fairies! š¤Æ Think romance with a dark twist!
The Sleeping Beauty: You might be familiar with this one, darling! A classic fairy tale about a beautiful princess, cursed to sleep until she's kissed by her prince! A must-see!
Swan Lake: My absolute favourite! A classic romance story about a princess who is transformed into a swan! Sheās pursued by a cruel sorcerer but thenā¦ oh! ... She's saved by a prince!
CoppĆ©lia: This story involves a very lifelike, mechanical doll and the crazy antics of the townsfolk! And did you know darling - it was also a musical? Imagineā¦ all that wonderful music with the dancing too! So much magic! š„°
Remember, darlingā¦ we can always time travel back and check out these spectacular productions whenever weād like! The wonderful things is that ballet is all about being timelessā¦ itās still just as relevant today. š
There you have it, darlings! My latest journey through the magical world of pink tutus. Donāt forget to visit my website www.pink-tutu.com! Iām so excited to share my passion with you! š©°š
Until next time, my lovelies,
Stay pink and keep on dancing!
