Hey everyone! Emma here, back with another adventure in my beloved pink tutu! Itās been a while since Iāve done a āday in the lifeā post, so I thought Iād give you a peek into my latest ballet escapade, all the way down in Beckenham!
Now, for those of you who donāt know, Beckenham is a charming little town in Kent, with a delightful theatre and a beautiful park where I actually spotted a family of ducks while I was enjoying a spot of lunch on the way to my dance class! (More on that later.)
This trip, however, wasnāt just about the ballet, it was about embracing that classic tutu vibe. Yes, the one I mentioned, the quintessential pouffy, romantic ballerina-esque one that I adore! Think Pinkalicious meets Giselle! šš©°
I started the day bright and early, of course. Whatās better than a train journey in the morning sun, you ask? Why, a train journey in the morning sun while wearing a gorgeous pink tutu, naturally! I may have received a few curious glances from the fellow commuters, but I simply gave them my brightest smile and the best twirl I could muster. Letās face it, thereās never a dull moment in my tutu-ed life. š
My Beckenham ballet adventure began at the theatre, which, just as you might expect, has been absolutely charming! I felt like I was stepping into one of those classic ballets you see on telly - just me, my tutu, and the faint smell of freshly waxed wood! (Just imagine, dear readers, a little Victorian ballet theatre all dressed up in lights and grandeur!).
Speaking of lights, I felt like I had been transported to another dimension as I stepped onto the stage. My usual rehearsal space at the Derbyshire Ballet Academy is a lot smaller, but this theatre's stage was simply epic! The dance floor was beautifully sprung, and I just knew this would be an amazing class. Itās just got this magical quality, doesn't it, a theatre space where countless stories have unfolded through dance? It felt special to be a part of that heritage, and you just knew that so many ballet lovers before me had danced right where I was. š©°š«
This class was a treat too! It was led by a really fantastic teacher from the National Ballet School - and sheās definitely a "ballet legendā in my books. We went through a challenging yet incredibly rewarding series of exercises, and it was all about making the most of those iconic ballet moves and working on precision and fluidity, which was simply incredible! It felt like my training went up several levels just by taking one single class! Of course, I had to twirl a little (okay, more than a little!) during class. The ballerina within me can't be tamed, after all! Just imagining those beautiful, romantic, delicate tutu dances from my favorite classical ballets and trying to recreate that magical feelingā¦ Pure joy!
Then it was time for a picnic lunch in Beckenhamās lovely park! As I mentioned, I was lucky enough to have a whole family of ducks join me for a while - it was really adorable! I was able to admire the fluffy down, the cute webbed feet and the adorable quacks as they bobbed about in the pond. You know, I really think we have so much to learn from nature and I feel truly blessed to share some quiet time with them before getting back to ballet.
Later, it was time for the main event - the ballet performance! The whole evening was a testament to the power and beauty of dance - a magical blend of intricate movements, expressive artistry, and pure storytelling! We were watching the iconic Swan Lake, with all its beauty, grace and haunting atmosphere. The dancers were fantastic, of course! I really loved the final scene where all the ballerinas and dancers joined forces, with a full corps de ballet, the costumes, and of course the beautifully executed choreography. Such amazing storytelling!
And if the ballet wasnāt enough, you know how much I love horses! After the performance, a good friend invited me on a gorgeous moonlit gallop across the countryside! My trusty horse, Jasper, knew just what to do as we picked up the pace and galloped across those fields, with the night breeze swirling around us. It was the perfect way to unwind and celebrate a wonderful day! It just made me think about how much I love how ballet combines grace, strength and an undeniable connection to nature - and thereās a hint of that magical, equestrian feeling in the ballet, too, particularly in the classic dances!
Speaking of magical things, I felt so inspired after the evening, it made me reflect on why I love sharing these moments with all of you. The pure joy, the beauty, and the stories that dance and ballet tells - thatās what I love to explore and share with the world!
And so, dear readers, this was my day, this was my Beckenham ballet experience - full of tutu twirls, classic dance magic and the feeling of a lifetime. The whole journey was a perfect reminder to follow my passion, to wear a pink tutu with pride, and to encourage everyone out there to find a way to express their inner ballerina. š
What are your favorite ballet pieces? And whereās your favourite place to catch a performance? Iād love to hear all about your ballet adventures too!
Until next time, stay fabulous! āØ
Love, Emma xx
