Hello my darling darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina, and I'm back with another London adventure! This week I'm bursting with excitement because, guess what? I'm taking a grand trip to the big city by train, in my fabulous new pink tutu! Yes, I know, my friends always say, “Emma, isn't it a bit much for the train?” but I firmly believe in adding a dash of magic and a splash of colour to every single day.
It's a sunny Friday morning and I'm feeling positively peckish as I load up my suitcase with all the essentials: sparkly flats, my trusty pink lipstick, and a few extra tutus - you never know when a twirl might strike! My journey started in good old Derbyshire, but right now I'm settling into the cozy compartment of my train carriage. The gentle rhythm of the wheels against the track and the countryside rushing past is a symphony of excitement to my ears. I love this moment, the moment when my world shrinks down to the confines of this travelling box, filled with my dreams and anticipation.
I've planned a busy day for myself, jam-packed with fun! First, I'm going to see the newest play at the Royal National Theatre – I heard it's all the rage with everyone in London! This week I'm performing for an adorable audience of pre-school children back in Derbyshire, but I'm desperate to get to London and experience all the glamour, the history, the art! Oh, the fun!
And it is truly wonderful! After my morning train journey, I find myself right in the heart of the London theatre district, and I’m already buzzing with anticipation. The air is filled with excited chatter and the hum of taxi horns. It feels alive! You can practically smell the creative energy in the air. Before I even make my way to the National, I stop to take a peek at the iconic Globe Theatre – what a beautiful sight! It’s like stepping straight into the Elizabethan age. My Tutu twirls a bit of a frenzy of excitement, and people turn to look and smile – this always makes me feel so much joy!
My tickets to the National are prime, in the very middle row – a good spot for taking a picture for Instagram later, but also, the best vantage point to experience all of the actors' emotional power in this amazing new production. A poignant new play, with an almost magical storyline - so evocative, so thought-provoking, so...well...just wonderful! It leaves you questioning and mulling it over as you make your way back through the busy streets to your hostel, thinking over all the drama!
My pink Tutu got a lot of curious looks in the theatre tonight. London has some pretty strict dress codes. After my performance back in Derbyshire, the kids adored the tutu! And the mums did too! I bet they wish they had the guts to wear one themselves, you know what I mean? The play, however, is amazing! So glad I took a detour through my week and brought my tutu!
A Night Of EntertainmentI must say, I am tired after the emotional journey that was the National Theatre show, so a good sleep before tomorrow's adventures seems a very good idea! Still, after the sheer theatrical magic I just experienced, how can I resist ending the night with something that’s just for fun? So, after my quick pre-theatre pasta and salad (it’s important to eat well, darlings!), I’m off to a local pub to check out a performance. I just stumbled upon this charming little pub tucked away in a quaint alleyway in Covent Garden, a few streets from my hostel.
Apparently, there’s this group who’s putting on an impromptu ballet show – imagine my surprise and excitement when I hear them practicing their arabesques outside! The stage is tiny, really tiny! Maybe even tinier than my local dance studio! But I love the atmosphere, all these Londoners just out for a good time in the pubs. They have good spirits in their faces, and the group has real heart and enthusiasm. There’s a guy in a leotard that has his eyes on me. He winked – you would not believe my blush! But in the theatre I think it just looked like I’m blushing with excitement about their dancing. And this is one of the reasons why I love this city!
Fashion FridaySaturday, oh how I have been dreaming of you all week long! I have saved this day for a little trip to Oxford Street - my favourite London Fashion Destination! It's a riot of colours, styles, and fabrics. It makes me want to just grab all my credit cards, tear through those doors, and start buying until my fingers hurt! Well, maybe not "buy until my fingers hurt" but...oh, you know what I mean! There is just something about the buzz, and I love to see all the trends coming to life! It truly feels like you can get lost in the clothes, in the world they create - it is all so very magical. And today’s forecast is for sunshine, a perfect backdrop to see every gorgeous detail in all its glory!
Oxford Street doesn't disappoint! I see some of the trends in their full glory, with shops showing off their collections for the new season. A bright red blazer catches my eye; it calls out for attention and is demanding to be twirled in, a gorgeous lace dress is beckoning for a day out at a charming country café – ah! But alas! Today, my budget only allows for a nice coffee and a decadent cupcake (the pink frosting kind, of course!). It’s so good to soak up the energy and creativity, and I’m dreaming of new things I can wear in my ballet shows at my own studio, I already have a plan for a sparkly new pink dress! Oh! And there’s a darling pink purse with a tutu on it at a boutique, that’s definitely making it into my next month's spending spree!
Pink Tutu - A London LegacyI’m on a train again! What a wonderful day! Now back to Derbyshire to go home! London, you are magic! Today, I made new discoveries, witnessed art, bought (one!) new treasure, ate a divine cupcake (with pink icing), and drank a strong London brew (that’s English for Coffee!). As I look back at my weekend adventure, I am convinced that one of the most beautiful things about London is its heart, and how it welcomes all of us in with open arms, from the artists of the Royal National to the ballet dancers in a local pub, to the shops on Oxford Street - just like a kind friend with a big, open smile, ready for the next exciting adventure! I promise I’ll keep you updated next week on my newest find on the local shops – it’s very inspiring!
Remember, you don’t need to live in London to feel its magic! I often get asked by my followers if my pink tutu has anything to do with my travels, and it does, because if you go about your days with a bit of style and colour and positive thinking you can bring the magic with you! It doesn't need to be a tutu, though I do recommend it – a good dose of imagination and creative expression can bring more beauty to the world and change the way you experience your everyday life. This is my motto and one I strive to live by - after all, life's too short not to dance.
See you next week, Emma. www.pink-tutu.com
