Hello my lovely pink-loving tutu-ettes! It's your girl Emma, back from another whirlwind ballet adventure! Today I'm feeling all kinds of sparkly and excited to tell you about my trip to Beckenham, a charming little town nestled in the heart of Kent. Now, I know what you're thinking - Beckenham? That's not exactly Paris or New York, right? Well, darling, that's where you'd be wrong!
Beckenham holds a special place in my heart (and not just because it's ridiculously close to the home of the glorious Kent Wildlife Trust – hello, cute bunnies and fluffy owls!). It’s a place that reminds me of those perfect fairytale scenes in a ballet; lush greenery, picturesque cobblestone streets, and even a hidden fairytale-esque little lake that was absolutely magical. This, my loves, is the very essence of Tutu Travel.
But let's get down to the real reason I travelled all the way down to Kent. You guessed it - ballet! This trip wasn't about dancing myself (though I do have a secret, super luxurious ballet studio tucked away in my travel bag) but it was about a real treat. My dearest friend and fellow tutu enthusiast, Amelia, invited me to join her for a showing of 'Swan Lake' at the stunning Churchill Theatre in Beckenham. Now, there's nothing quite like a trip to the theatre – it's like stepping into another world. Especially with the allure of a classical ballet like Swan Lake.
As always, I went all out with the outfit – and who can blame me?! A fluffy, shimmering pink tutu with intricate details (of course, it's vintage!), delicate silver ballerina shoes, and a vintage floral headband that added that extra touch of femininity. Because darling, if you're going to go to a ballet, you gotta dress the part, right?
But it wasn't just the fabulous tutu that made this trip special. Oh no, this adventure took on an air of a bygone era as I opted to travel by...wait for it… horse! I found this beautiful little stable right by the Kent Wildlife Trust, a place full of majestic horses with kind eyes and flowing manes. The whole experience was straight out of a romantic novel! Can you even imagine, a ballet in the city followed by a gallop across a misty countryside? Honestly, it's the kind of fairytale I've always dreamed of.
The actual show, darling, was truly breathtaking. I must confess, even though I see a million ballets, 'Swan Lake' never fails to move me. The graceful movements, the dramatic story, the stunning costumes… everything about it takes you to another world, especially when you're sitting in a quaint and charming theatre like the Churchill. I even cried a little at the end! It’s those classic pieces, full of raw emotion and artistic genius, that truly connect you to the spirit of dance.
Beckenham may not be on the map for most ballet-lovers, but I urge you to make it a destination! It's a town steeped in history, and just bursting with that quaint English charm that makes you feel like you've stepped into a romantic novel. And while the ballet was truly incredible, the real treat was sharing it all with Amelia, my fellow Tutu-sister! We’ve been dancing together for years and honestly, I don't think there's anything in the world more joyous than watching a ballet with your bestie and discussing it afterwards with a glass of bubbly!
Now, I have to confess, darling, there’s something about the way ballet shows inspire me to do things my own way. As always, after that amazing ballet in Beckenham, the first thing I did was…grab my notepad! New ballet choreography ideas, travel plans, ideas for the new tutu I have to make! You see, ballet, especially this magnificent Swan Lake production, does so much more than inspire; it creates an energy, a desire to do more, and dare I say, become a better version of ourselves.
So, to you, my lovely readers, I leave you with this - go for your ballet dreams! Take that dance class, wear that tutu, even if it's just in your living room. Get that extra sparkly polish on those ballet shoes! It's about finding the beauty within ourselves and expressing it to the world in a language only we dancers understand, even if it’s through a tiny pink tutu! Until next time my darlings, let’s keep spreading the pink tutu love!
Yours eternally, Emma
P.S. Have you been to Beckenham? What are your favorite hidden ballet gems? Let’s talk!
P.P.S Remember to keep up with my adventures by subscribing to my daily blog here on www.pink-tutu.com! I've got so many exciting travel stories to share!
