#TutuBlog 2006-05-29 in Nottingham with a random tutu.

Hello my gorgeous darlings!

Today I’m going to tell you about my adventure to Nottingham, and, let's face it, it was an adventure right from the get-go!

I’d planned to travel by horse to the Nottingham Playhouse, but after being turned away from the stables in Matlock (because, apparently, a “pink tutu just doesn’t fit the image”, whatever that means!) I had to take the train instead. It's a bit of a shame as, well, the train journey to Nottingham isn't quite as charming as a horse ride across the Derbyshire countryside. You know what I mean, the birds tweeting, the wildflowers in the hedgerows... oh, how I miss my pony. But hey, no problem - this wasn't going to ruin my day, because you see, Nottingham was waiting! And trust me, my lovelies, it was worth every minute of that train ride.

Nottingham, for those of you who don’t know, is a truly fascinating city, bursting with history, culture, and - well, let's just say a little bit of 'tutuness' (that’s my made-up word for something truly enchanting)! It’s actually nicknamed “the City of Caves” due to its secret underground network of tunnels that are pretty darn spooky if you ask me.

Speaking of spooky, I just have to tell you about my amazing find! As I wandered through the streets, a little vintage shop caught my eye. Inside, nestled amongst antique jewellery and china teacups, was a pink tutu! I couldn’t believe my eyes! It wasn't perfect - there was a tiny little rip by the hemline and the fabric had faded slightly to a blush pink instead of a vivid magenta, but I had to have it! You see, a pink tutu in the heart of Nottingham, what could be better! I immediately purchased it and threw it on over my little pink dress and you'd be surprised at the lovely compliments I got - especially from the shop assistant, who looked to be in her 60s! Now she was cool.

But let’s get back to Nottingham.

My main reason for being in the city? A breathtaking ballet performance by the wonderful Ballet Theatre of Nottingham. You might think “Emma, why not go and see something at The Royal Ballet?” Well, honey, there’s something magical about seeing talent flourish at a smaller venue, seeing that spark of creativity and sheer dedication. It was truly inspirational! The programme included two different acts, and each one had me captivated! First, a powerful and emotive piece that showcased their incredible athleticism, then, for something lighter and more whimsical, they danced a delicate and elegant rendition of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. They just really blew me away with their elegance and grace - you wouldn’t believe how my own ballet teacher’s voice sounded in my head during this show - “Emma! Your extension, Emma! That backbend needs more feeling! Emma! This is your moment!" I do hope I wasn’t being too obvious with my dramatic nodding and head movements... I might have been channeling that teacher’s spirit a bit too strongly, but hey, at least I’m learning to have an emotional connection with the art!

After the ballet, I found a little pub called 'The Shakespeare,' where I treated myself to some local cider (which tasted slightly more sweet and refreshing than our Derbyshire version) and had a chat with a really lovely couple. They actually happened to be dancers too! It seems I have a talent for spotting my kind, even when I'm completely immersed in Nottingham’s historic city. The lady had a delightful accent and an even more delightful smile that could melt an ice queen. I tried, oh so desperately, to make them fall in love with the concept of ‘ballet in the streets’ with every bit of passion I could muster. She even agreed that wearing tutus is a wonderfully joyous expression and said she thought the idea of everyone getting into the art of ballet sounded amazing, so that’s a small win for Pink-Tutu! We talked about everything from our favourite ballet dancers to the upcoming performances by The Royal Ballet in London and our mutual love for the beauty of a tutu! It was delightful - and I really hope we'll get a chance to meet again! They mentioned that there was a new bar nearby where they’re holding weekly tango classes and suggested I should check it out, which gave me a rather good idea… perhaps we could even do a ballet-tango flash mob! My gorgeous lovelies, it just has to be done.

And on that very note, it's time to go! I am quite exhausted from all of my adventures and a little sad to say goodbye to Nottingham. But never fear, as always, a new city awaits! Until next time my loves. Keep twirling,

Emma xx