Hey lovelies!
It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed adventurer, writing to you from the magical town of Stratford Upon Avon! Yes, Shakespeare's very own birthplace, and believe me, this place is even more enchanting than I could ever have imagined.
This week's mission? A weekend filled with fairies, theatre, and of course, the perfect pink tutu for the occasion. I couldn't resist the allure of the Stratford Festival's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, so I hopped on the train from Derbyshire, clutching my trusty suitcase brimming with tulle, feathers, and enough glitter to rival a disco ball.
Now, you all know my motto: every day's an opportunity to twirl, right? And that especially applies when you're in the heart of England's theatreland. So, before I even unpacked my bag, I was already twirling down the cobbled streets of Stratford, my new floral print tutu catching the sunshine like a butterfly's wings.
Let's just say heads were turning, and smiles were blossoming, even the resident swans seemed to approve, gracefully paddling in the Avon with their own ballet-esque elegance.
The day unfolded like a charming fairytale. A delightful picnic in the sunshine, a visit to Shakespeare's birth house - which surprisingly had enough space for a little pirouette! - and then the grand finale: the theatre itself. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is truly majestic, like a grand lady standing proudly on the banks of the Avon, a symphony of brick and stone bathed in the golden glow of the evening light.
Speaking of grand, the Midsummer Night's Dream production was breathtaking! The set design, the costumes, the music, it all seemed to dance before my very eyes, swirling together into a visual feast that sent shivers down my spine. And of course, the actors! Every single one brought their characters to life with such joy, passion, and undeniable talent.
Oh, but the most delightful surprise? Right in the middle of Act II, there was a whole troupe of fairies! Yes, real fairies fluttering about the stage, adding an extra dose of magic to the already enchanting performance. It's like they had just flown straight out of Shakespeare's imagination and into the very heart of the theatre.
And, wait for it, one of those fairies was actually wearing a pink tutu! Just like mine, only slightly larger and with some shimmering moon dust scattered across the layers.
Needless to say, my inner ballerina shrieked with delight. I felt like I had truly stepped into a dream world, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colours and laughter, twirling with fairy magic under a moonlit sky. And, guess what? It was so magical, I even persuaded a few people in the audience to join in!
Here's the thing, you guys. Ballet is not just about leaping and twirling (although that's a LOT of fun!), it's about embracing creativity, letting your imagination fly, and bringing joy to every moment. Just like a fairy sprinkling a little bit of magic dust on a tired old world.
My time in Stratford was truly a fairy tale. It's made me realise how important it is to embrace our inner child, to never stop believing in magic, and to always, always twirl with joy!
And who knows, maybe next time I'll even have the chance to learn some moves from a real fairy. Just imagine! That's the kind of ballet lesson that dreams are made of.
Until next time, darling, keep twirling and keep spreading the magic of pink!
P.S. Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to check out my latest video of a spontaneous "pink tutu flash mob" in Stratford! You know I couldn't resist getting everyone dancing!
Lots of love,
Emma xxx
