Hello darlings! It's Emma here, bringing you the latest instalment from the Pink Tutu Diaries. My love for pink, tutus and all things ballet knows no bounds, and today I’m ready to share an extra special adventure with you!
Packing my trusty travel case full of pretty pinks and, of course, my trusty collection of tutus (including the absolute must-have new pancake tutu – oh my, you guys have got to get one, it's like wearing a cloud!), I hopped on the train, feeling the rhythm of the rails in my soul, heading to Andover.
It’s such a treat to explore the country by train, watching the landscape blur past, getting lost in the rhythmic clatter of the wheels and catching up on some much-needed ‘me-time’ – which naturally, involved meticulously planning my outfits for my ballet adventures, followed by an hour of dreaming up my latest ballet routine… or at least, dreaming up my next outfit – let's be honest! 😉
Now, Andover, my darlings, isn’t just about pretty countryside landscapes. This little town packs a real ballet punch, hosting both a charming dance studio, ‘Andover Ballet Centre,’ and a gorgeous theatre – The Andover Lights! Can you believe it, I've never experienced such a fantastic combo before, it was ballet heaven!
Andover Ballet Centre was my first port of call. As soon as I stepped inside, I was surrounded by the energy of young dancers, and the excitement practically crackled in the air – all I could smell was sweat, ambition and glitter. Let me tell you, the studio had an absolute fairytale feel to it, with mirrors that reflected the grace of the dancers and a sense of playful wonder in the air – it really made my inner ballerina twirl with delight!
I took a class, too. (And no, it didn’t involve eating pancakes, much to my disappointment, ha!). It was a fabulously invigorating contemporary class, where we stretched, flowed, and learned a gorgeous combination – I swear my toes felt like they were reaching the ceiling!
My next stop: The Andover Lights! Oh, the romance! This charming theatre, filled with old-world charm and history, transported me to a world of wonder – it felt like stepping straight into a magical play. They were showcasing a brand new performance, ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream: An Unlikely Ballet'.
Can you even imagine? My head almost spun with excitement when I realised I was about to watch a ballet inspired by Shakespeare! I wasn’t disappointed; the whole production was absolutely mesmerising, filled with vibrant choreography, magical set design, and of course, a touch of my beloved pink. (What can I say, the costumes were exquisite! They incorporated subtle splashes of rose, petal-like textures, and… oh my, I might have seen a pink tutu or two flitting about! 😉)
But the highlight? Watching the passion in the dancers’ eyes. The story they conveyed with every step, every glance – it touched my soul. You can't get this from watching it on screen – you have to experience it live. The energy is different, electric.
Afterwards, I couldn’t resist exploring Andover a little. The quaint shops filled with lovely trinkets, the delicious, locally-sourced cakes in the cafés and the quaint little bookshop selling old editions of Shakespeare made me wish I could slow down time. I sat down in a beautiful square with a frothy pink lemonade and did a little sketch of my pancake tutu (of course!) while dreaming up my next blog post, and enjoying the lovely birdsong and the quiet bustle of the afternoon – feeling truly at peace and inspired by all the ballet beauty around me.
My day in Andover was pure, unadulterated joy – the kind of experience that fills you with sunshine and glitter even when you're surrounded by fluffy white clouds… in a metaphorical way of course, though if the pancake tutu doesn’t give you some fairytale vibes I’m not sure what will.
Let’s talk pink! Don't forget to check out my website for your dose of pink-tutu perfection! And as always, remember, my lovely lovelies, life's a stage and everyone's got the potential to dance like a dream. So, put on a pink tutu, maybe a pair of sparkly ballet shoes, and let your inner ballerina shine – you might just surprise yourself!
Until next time,
Emma xx
P.S. Stay tuned for my next post, where I'll be taking you on a horse-riding adventure in the rolling hills of Derbyshire. You might even spot a fox or two! 🦊
