Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina, Emma, checking in from the quaint town of Trowbridge! This weekend, the pinkest train journey (the 4:27, obvs!) brought me to a rather charming little theatre, all ready for another incredible adventure in the world of ballet. I always adore travelling by train. There's something magical about watching the countryside zip by from the carriage window, the world a blur of greens and browns. This journey, though, had extra sprinkles of magic, as I was joined by my little fluffy friend, Rosie (her nickname for obvious reasons), a soft, cuddly rabbit I adore like she's my child! She might have caused a little bit of a commotion, with some very polite gentlemen questioning why a rabbit in a pink harness (pink, of course!) was allowed on board... but we all agreed: Rosie was quite clearly an extraordinary passenger deserving of the pink carriage! I promise, she's a very well-behaved bunny and wouldn't have dared to jump on the tables, much as they did call to her like a pink meadow of carrots. 😉
Now, let's talk tutus. Today, my tutu was heavy, oh, so very heavy. I don't just mean in terms of weight, but it also carried the burden of my expectations for an absolutely stunning performance! This was no ordinary 'pick your favourite tulle and go' scenario. This one had to be a little bit "ballerina who can kick your butt at the barre AND do it all whilst looking a total fashion dream, Darling!" So, we went for layered pink chiffon, the ultimate symbol of delicate strength, all held together with sequins sparkling like a galaxy. This one is perfect for that fairytale 'swan' vibe. Oh, it took ages to get into this baby. It involved a lot of huffing and puffing, but let me tell you, I would go through that rigmarole a thousand times just to grace that stage. And that's precisely what I did. 😉
Trowbridge greeted me with the warmest embrace a dancer could ask for! The theatre was an absolute dream, adorned with vintage posters and framed ballet photography. I felt right at home. I'm not sure how I managed to slip past security without them mistaking me for the queen, but hey! They clearly had great taste. Then there was the energy - oh, the palpable electricity of anticipation! The place buzzed with the thrill of the upcoming show and I just knew the audience was going to be the kind that claps along with every twirl. I never get nervous performing, I love it. I thrive in that buzz. It makes the heart race and makes everything sparkle!
The performance itself? Absolutely magical. This performance brought together a unique ensemble of dancers from all over the UK. It's a truly wonderful thing to be a part of something so collaborative. We had a wonderful choreographer, Mr. Barnaby, with his vision for bringing ballet into the 21st century. There's this gorgeous piece - my favourite - it’s called "Sunrise Over the City". The set and lighting are just phenomenal, it looks like the sunrise over the skyscrapers of New York. It's so visually striking. This was a showcase for the power and versatility of the dance form and its capability to be completely modern and expressive. It was like every leap, every twirl was whispering a secret about human emotions - passion, love, heartbreak, everything in-between. There were times, during this performance, where I've never felt more connected to the world - every single audience member, and everyone back home in Derbyshire.
But my journey with the magical tutu didn't end on that stage. We went back to my hotel to do some research for this blog. It's one of my favorite rituals: relaxing, maybe with some tea and scones, and brainstorming ideas. Oh! And let's not forget Rosie, who always enjoys her time cuddled up in my dressing bag. Honestly, who could say no to that fluff? We were surrounded by photos, notes, and the faint echoes of the music in our hearts.
Speaking of magic, I discovered something truly spectacular whilst exploring this little gem of a town. Imagine, just down the road from the theatre, nestled in the peace of the countryside, was the most stunning horse-riding stable! Now, if you’re following my #PinkTutuJourney you'll know I can't get enough of horses! There’s a graceful fluidity to them - a spirit so connected to nature that reminds me of why I chose ballet! So, guess what? I took Rosie for a gentle ride in the crisp countryside, the only sounds being our hooves and the soft wind that whispered through the tall grasses. The wind was cool on my face and there was nothing I'd rather do in that moment, other than maybe be in my studio and the next big ballet show in London, but maybe one day those dreams can intertwine! I found myself wishing for this peace, the quiet time for self-reflection, to be as easily attainable as the horse riding. But I realised that life is all about chasing dreams - even if they take you on winding paths and journeys filled with sequins and fluff! I couldn’t have asked for a better reminder than this magical weekend, a perfect combination of dance, animals, and pink tutus. What more could you possibly ask for?
Before I say good-bye, I need to say - how many people know that Trowbridge, apart from its artistic heart, also boasts one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the entire country? It's filled with beautiful animals! I know that for my next blog post, you'll want the ultimate Trowbridge experience. We are gonna get the real dirt on the incredible wildlife sanctuaries - with my gorgeous Tutu! I know what you are thinking. It is crazy right?! I don't know about you, but I'm going to wear a bright pink tutu with an even brighter fuchsia coloured sash. What do you think? Leave me a comment and share your favourite memories of the wildlife you've seen! Or what wild, bold ideas you have about ballet, or what we should talk about in this little corner of my PinkTutu World!
Stay pink, lovelies! And until next time, keep chasing those dancing dreams.
Love, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
