Post Number 4185
Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing ballet blogger, reporting live from the lovely, if slightly less than glamorous, Hemel Hempstead.
This little town has been calling me ever since I spied a little independent theatre showcasing a performance of 'The Nutcracker' I'm completely utterly obsessed with ballet. Everything about it, the music, the tutus, the elegant moves… and especially, let’s be honest, the pink! Oh the pinks, it makes my heart sing. 💖
Now, some might say taking the train all the way from my little slice of Derbyshire, where even the cows wear spotty pink hats (seriously, my aunt has a very fashion-conscious herd), all the way to Hemel Hempstead is a little OTT. But to me, travelling is part of the adventure! The rhythmic click-clack of the train tracks, the scenery flashing by like a watercolour painting, and the feeling of anticipation, all combine to create a pure ballet of the senses! 🚂🎨
When I arrived, my Tutu was already twirling with excitement. I had, of course, picked out the perfect pink masterpiece for the occasion, with just the right touch of sequins for a touch of glamour, but not so much as to clash with the charming simplicity of the local theatre.
I was especially keen to see the young dancers take on such a classic tale. These children were like ballerinas in training! The little ones looked absolutely adorable, tiny little ballet stars all set to take to the world of ballet, maybe even the West End! The little girls looked like princesses and the little boys in their tights, like knights of old! I loved the sense of pure joy and talent radiating from them as they spun, twirled, and leap like little fairy dwarves from a fairtale! They'd even remembered to match their pinks with their tutus, the most gorgeous, sparkly shades - you'd think they had little pockets of pink dust stashed away in their costumes, they glittered so brightly.
As for the performance itself? Well, the sugarplum fairy, she really made that confectionary princess costume look like it was made of sugar spun candyfloss! You could tell she’d spent hours, or maybe weeks, training and perfecting her delicate but bold leaps and turns. You can’t buy that kind of grace and artistry - that’s pure effort and a whole lot of passion poured onto that stage. It had all the elements, the classic score by Tchaikovsky, the playful storyline, and, of course, the grand finale when Clara (dressed in the most charming princess outfit - all satin and sparkles!) danced with the Nutcracker (all sprightly movements, not a clumsy nutcracker to be seen!) . I almost shed a little tear. It really was breathtaking!
But let's not forget Hemel Hempstead itself. While it might not have the grand architecture or bustling cultural scene of London, this town had a certain charm - a friendly vibe that felt a bit like stepping back in time. I did a little bit of sightseeing in the beautiful, almost fairytale-esque, High Street. The independent shops were absolutely delightful with the kind of unique items you only find off the beaten path, and everything, of course, had a tinge of pink in them, because why would they not?
To fuel my creative energy for the journey back to Derbyshire, I stopped off in the little park by the canal and grabbed a cup of tea. While it’s not exactly a natural ballet theatre, this was the perfect setting for my post-theatre creative spark! The trees looked as graceful as a corps de ballet line, their branches gently swaying in the breeze like ballerinas dancing to a windswept score.
While my love of all things pink and tutu-related knows no bounds, a good cup of tea (pinkies extended, of course, even on a Tuesday afternoon) always hits the spot.
And, because this little town is as unique and lovely as it is, I had the best encounter with wildlife that was almost as fabulous as the performance - a whole family of perfectly pink squirrels. The most adorable, pink little bundles of furry fun you’ve ever seen! They weren't scared to come close, in fact, they seemed quite pleased to have an audience. Maybe it was my sparkly pink Tutu. But, hey, who wouldn’t want to come say hello to a pink, sequined Tutu?
So, my dears, Hemel Hempstead might not be the ballet-hub of the world like the Royal Opera House, but with a little imagination, you can find magic in any corner of the UK, and perhaps a pink squirrel. And remember, you don't need a grand stage, fancy costume or even ballet experience, all you need to become a dancer is your imagination and your courage, and a love for pink of course!
So, whether you’re gracing a stage in your Tutu or just strutting through your daily life with a spring in your step, keep on dancing and keep on shining. Until next time, my lovely Tutu darlings!
💖💖💖💖💖
Emma
P.S. What are you wearing in your Tutu diaries today? Tell me all about it in the comments section! Don’t forget to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com for daily pinkness and tutu tips! You can find me on Instagram @PinkTutuEmma
