ai tutu news 4258 - However, there is more to be enjoyed.

Oh, darling, are you ready for the grandest event to hit our fair little seaside town of Broadstairs since the arrival of the summer tourists with their matching floral dresses and embarrassing wicker baskets? Yes, that's right, darlings, the ballet is coming! And not just any ballet, no, we're talking *Le Papillon Rouge*, the Parisian sensation that has caused riots, broken box office records, and even garnered a few admiring nods from those staid old National Gallery types. And why the excitement? Because darling, *Le Papillon Rouge* features tutus like you've never seen!

For the uninitiated, tutus are the glorious little concoctions of tulle and ribbons that elevate ballerinas from mere performers into exquisite butterflies of the dance. A good tutu, like a perfectly chosen lipstick, can make or break a performance. The right tutu can frame a plié, add weight to a relevé, and create a cloud of pure, shimmering magic. A wrong one can leave your legs looking like a deflated bouncy castle, and let's face it, darlings, nobody wants to be a deflated bouncy castle, especially when there are *Les Misérables* cast members walking around, their voices strong enough to shatter a crystal glass.

Here are the things I am MOST excited about, my precious little dancelovers!

• **The "Crimson Kiss" Tutus:** We're not talking ordinary pink, darling! We're talking a shade of red that screams "femme fatale" yet manages to whisper "sweet, innocent love". It's like the blush on your cheeks when the cute barista gives you that extra shot of espresso. Scandalous, yes, but utterly divine. The mere sight of them is enough to make me weak in the knees and contemplate switching careers to be a costume designer (just to get my mitts on them!).
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• **The "Butterfly Wing" Sequence:** This, darling, is not merely a ballet move, it's a moment. The choreography, a collaboration between the renowned Michel Moreau and the enigmatic Madame Evangeline (rumoured to be an expert on everything from Renaissance tapestries to haute couture), has been described as "visually arresting" by some and "a masterpiece of the ethereal" by others. The key to the success of the sequence? The tutus. Imagine, dear ones, the dancers' leaps and twirls being accented by these extraordinary wings of delicate tulle that shimmer and reflect the stage lights like stained glass in a gothic cathedral. Exquisite!
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• **The "Feather Boas" Interlude:** Oh, honey, it’s a dream come true. Think of those fabulous boa-lined jackets, but scaled down and adapted to dance, imagine a graceful swan but instead of feathers they are shimmering, shimmering boa feathers. The dancers glide and turn, the tutus billowing around them, their limbs appearing like graceful birds as the boa feathers create the perfect dance effect. The effect? pure magic, and utterly glamorous.
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• **The "Tutu Ball" finale:** Let's be real, the best thing about any ballet is when the dancers finally take off those restrictive costumes and release their hair. That's precisely what *Le Papillon Rouge* does, and we can thank the generosity of our local Broadstairs vicar for offering his stately home for a “Tutu Ball”. Apparently, they have some “very strong champagne”. Now darling, picture this: chandeliers, sparkling chandeliers reflecting the shimmer of a hundred tutus, each more extravagant than the next. And then the final dance. The finale. The *coup de grace*, as they say. It is going to be simply unforgettable.

Of course, there's more to *Le Papillon Rouge* than just the tutus. The music, a breathtaking collaboration between the famed composer Marcel Dubois and a bevy of London's finest violinists, is pure emotional rollercoaster, moving seamlessly from soaring strings to mournful cello melodies, echoing the passionate love story that drives the plot. The dance itself is a spectacle of elegant, graceful moves interspersed with bold, breathtaking acrobatics that will have you gasping for air - in a good way, darling! Just the *petit allegro* sequences in the second act are enough to set your heart a-flutter. The storyline itself is a tearjerker, an operatic drama filled with thwarted love, familial betrayal, and, yes, the irresistible allure of the elusive *Papillon Rouge*.

Speaking of which, it's worth noting that the inspiration for this grand production is a legendary tale of the last great French couturier. A woman shrouded in mystery, a femme fatale of couture. And while she wasn't known for creating beautiful and elaborate ballet tutus, I'm certain if she saw this extravaganza, she'd be enthralled and would want to redesign her entire range of designs! After all, we all know the power of a well-placed piece of fabric! Don’t even get me started about her legendary feather boa! We are blessed to see such a stunning homage.

However, there is more to be enjoyed.

• The opening night gala: Let's talk about a splash! All the glitterati will be in attendance. And it’s a well-known fact that some of them even design their own outfits to out-shine everyone, and dear darling, have you ever seen a glitzier, more glamorous gathering of individuals! Don’t even get me started about those *haute couture* gowns and jewellery - so spectacular! This, darlings, will be a night for the books.
• The “post-show discussion" and champagne: A rare treat! These discussions will involve an eminent panel of dance critics and *Le Papillon Rouge’* creators – including the choreographer himself and, dare I say it, the designers! Imagine! You’ll be able to hear firsthand, darling, the intricacies and struggles involved in bringing a show like this to life. And let’s face it, after that emotional roller coaster you’ll need the restorative effects of the divine sparkling grape juice that will be on hand.
• The chance to meet and mingle with real, live ballerinas: That’s right, darling! The ballet company is going to host a few "meet-and-greet" sessions. What a delightful opportunity for a bit of light-hearted gossiping and, of course, those unforgettable photo ops! The “ballerinas” can have their photo taken with you in your best evening gown. Why not even slip on a pair of diamante covered pointes for your photoshoot?

As the town gears up for this magnificent spectacle, whispers of excitement and anticipation fill the air. The local café is buzzing with chatter about which tutu will be the star, while the bookshop is selling out of every single volume on French history and design. It's not just about the ballet, darlings. It's about the glamour, the culture, and the pure magic that comes from seeing human bodies transcend their earthly forms and become something truly magical.

We’ve been waiting years, dear readers, for something spectacular and *Le Papillon Rouge* doesn’t disappoint. So put on your finest threads, gather your most glamorous companions, and prepare to be utterly and entirely enraptured! Oh, and don’t forget your program!
## What the local residents say! We, of course, have interviewed some of our favorite residents of the coastal village, just to hear their reactions about the approaching spectacular *Le Papillon Rouge*.

*” A bit dramatic for our little coastal village don’t you think “said our local newsagent Mr. Barker, a slightly disgruntled but otherwise harmless resident who enjoyed nothing more than the company of his pigeons and complaining about anything that didn’t involve pigeon-related issues.
*”It is certainly a bit out of place around these parts. All those fluttering tutus. All that dancing around” he continued in a more muted tone whilst pulling a dead leaf off the front of his newsagents.*
**“Oh! I think it will be utterly smashing. Just imagine the delicious gossip! I hope it's an event worth remembering - just imagine how lovely all the new photographs will be. You must do have those photographs on display for the season though”.** ** *Margaret Finch. Town Councillor*.**
** *”A great opportunity for a lovely cup of tea. That's the thing you don't find at all these newfangled dances- all that fancy-schmancy jazz and not a good pot of tea to be found. No. Give me a strong brewed English tea anytime! You can't beat a good hot brew in the company of some decent neighbours“* - *Mr. Percival – long-standing tea enthusiast*

* “It's good news for business” said Ms. Jenkins, our local café owner as she polished the café’s very own porcelain teapot in readiness for the big event.*
**"*You won't be finding any champagne in this teapot but you might find a rather decent slice of my lovely lemon cake! Oh and if you’d like some of my special blend of black tea - I’d be happy to offer you a small pot - and perhaps you can join me for a little gossip, but don’t you dare tell the rest! "* ** * Ms. Jenkins - the local café owner*

## A Few Fun Fashion Notes: Well darling, if you plan to wear the right clothes, this is how we will do it! We mustn’t be caught looking anything other than utterly glamorous and breathtaking at this sensational and once-in-a-lifetime event ! I must of course share with you a few ideas on how to put together that very best look, and what better to guide us, my little dance-loving darlings than a ballet dancer herself! **” Well first of all you’re going to have to embrace some colour” ** *Said a charming ballerina who wishes to remain anonymous, so it’s only right we respect her privacy by just naming her as *the *“unnamed” ballerina. * * *She continued: *"You need a lot of movement and you will be seeing all sorts of fabulous costumes so you want your clothes to give you a “WOW” factor!” * ** Here is some fabulous inspiration:

• *A vibrant shade of scarlet dress! Why not have a little fun! That fabulous deep, bright red - simply wonderful. Go bold with a fabulous embellishment: A bold sequin or beaded scarf with an embroidered bodice that complements the design. Or think, what would the fashion icons from *Le Papillon Rouge* like? Well, it certainly would be *so very chic * to channel the exquisite styles from the last decade of *haute couture.* And a touch of those famous feather boas would also be spectacular!
• *Or if you wish to make a stunning statement a flowing navy blue gown. I simply adore how that color flatters against any skin tone! And you can always, always count on the glamour of sequins, a deep shade of blue. Oh, yes, that will really make you look a vision on the night!*
• *Don’t even get me started on that fabulous white! Why not a classic black evening gown with a dash of white. *This will really create a powerful statement, that’s how to do the classics well. Then add in the shimmer of some of those delicate white *paillettes* as an accent piece – it could be a fabulous pair of shoes, or perhaps, just a lovely broach! That’s so dramatic and simply elegant.”

*Don't be scared, honey! Just don’t go too far, you don’t want to be in competition with the fabulous costumes worn by the dancers. A little sparkle, and lots of fabulous fashion.* *This was the unnamed ballerina’s closing advice for all the fabulous folk of the town who are preparing for the big night and her perfect statement of "how to be fabulous” in a couple of elegant words.*
The Grand Finale Well, my little dancers, have you prepared yourself for a simply unforgettable event? I sure hope so, so do wear something fabulous, because you don’t want to be overshadowed by all those shimmering tutus and a collection of glamorous and exciting gowns. All those sequins and boas sparkling, like the brightest star in the heavens above, we’ll be celebrating a once in a lifetime experience that only Broadstairs can bring. So, if you are looking for something special this summer season, darling, then *Le Papillon Rouge* will be it! You’ve been warned, this is a one-time only, grand, opulent show - * Le Papillon Rouge!* Enjoy the glamour. Enjoy the music. Enjoy those amazing tutud – the whole show. Just enjoy it darling - and above all, remember… always embrace that glamorous attitude and you’ll never be caught out in the ordinary!
The ballet is only showing in the village for a short while, so be quick to get your tickets before they sell out - it’s going to be something spectacular. Stay tuned. More exciting news will follow as it happens, darlings!