Oh, darlings, what a glorious day it’s been! I’m writing this with the gentle sway of the train, the sunshine glinting off the window panes, and my heart buzzing with the thrill of a perfectly executed fouetté. That's right, today was a ballet extravaganza from start to finish, starting with a morning ballet class at the stunning Royal Academy of Dance in Hemel Hempstead.
I must confess, getting up early in the Derbyshire hills for a 7am train was no easy feat! But as I gazed out the window at the rolling hills carpeted in green and dotted with sheep, my spirits lifted. And nothing beats that feeling of anticipation for a ballet class, the excitement for the day’s pirouettes, and the gentle ache of a muscle that knows its purpose.
Hemel Hempstead is such a delightful town, nestled in the heart of Hertfordshire. The air is crisp, the buildings are charming, and the locals all seem to radiate a genuine warmth and happiness. The Royal Academy itself was a breathtaking haven of dance, with studios bathed in warm, natural light, polished wooden floors that creaked with the rhythm of our leaps, and an atmosphere of sheer artistic passion.
For my class today, I chose my most flamboyant pink tutu - a vintage gem with delicate tulle layers that swirled around me with every plié. Pink, of course, is the colour of dreams and aspirations, a reminder to embrace every opportunity with joyous abandon.
Oh, but the class was divine! The instructor, Mr. Davies, is a true gentleman of dance. He has this knack for knowing exactly when to encourage and when to gently push us to our limits. The choreography we worked on today was all about exploring delicate movement and graceful transitions, with some elegant bourrées and playful chassé to get the blood pumping.
After class, I treated myself to a delectable afternoon tea at The Lavender Tea Room. Delicious scones, clotted cream, and lashings of tea - perfect for a tutu-clad ballerina like me. The place was bursting with fragrant lavender blooms, a lovely reminder of nature's softness and beauty.
My day wasn't over, though! Tonight, I headed to the iconic Hemel Hempstead Civic Centre for the Ballet Theatre’s performance of Swan Lake. I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt this enthralled by a performance, the sheer skill of the dancers was phenomenal. Their elegant movements were like whispers of emotion, their bodies weaving tales of love and despair through every delicate pas de deux. I swear, I could have watched them for hours!
But the most memorable part of the performance for me wasn't the virtuosity of the dance or the artistry of the set, but the heartwarming story. Swan Lake reminds us that beauty can exist even in darkness, that grace and strength are two sides of the same coin. I simply couldn’t leave the theater without a small piece of that magic.
My journey back home on the train was a symphony of tired yet elated muscles and the echo of the swan's lament in my ears. It’s this type of day that reminds me why I love being a ballerina, and why I want to encourage everyone to embrace their own inner dance.
And here's the call to action, darling! Wear pink, wear a tutu, take a ballet class! Feel the magic of grace and movement, and embrace the inner ballerina within you! Who knows, perhaps one day we’ll even have a tutu-wearing flash mob at Hemel Hempstead Civic Centre - now that’s a dream come true!
But for now, my loves, I'm going to snuggle up with a cup of chamomile tea, my vintage pink tutu safely nestled in my wardrobe, and dream of pirouettes and perfect landings. Until tomorrow!
