Hello my darling dance enthusiasts! It's Emma here, back again from my travels through time for another exciting edition of Tutu Tuesday. Today, I've travelled all the way to 1832! 🩰 Can you believe it, darlings? Just imagine the bustle of London, the fashion, the grandeur… and of course, the beautiful ballet performances that are slowly taking the stage by storm!
This era is just bubbling over with exciting developments in dance, and today, February 14th, is especially noteworthy. I have my pink tutu twirling with delight, for this is the very date of the opening of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane! This beautiful theatre, lovingly nicknamed “Old Drury” by locals, has been renovated and will now host performances for many years to come, showcasing a diverse range of theatrical performances, including those captivating ballets. It truly was a triumph of engineering and an impressive show of wealth in its day.
Now, before you all rush off to try and book tickets to a 1832 performance, you might find it difficult – unlike our own time where you can simply book tickets online, the people of this period needed to get their tickets at the box office and sometimes even queue for days! It’s a far cry from today’s easy digital purchase methods, and if you fancy the theatrics of booking your tickets from the ticket booth then perhaps it’s something you might like to try for yourself.
This is also the era of the romantic ballet! You might not be aware, darlings, but ballet had actually been around for many years by this time. But, this period, around the 1830s, sees an emphasis on dramatic story-telling through movement – much like today, but with its own uniquely romantic, whimsical flair. The French ballerina Marie Taglioni, a dancer of unparalleled grace and beauty, was leading the way, she revolutionised ballet in the mid-1830s with her breathtaking performance as La Sylphide. Can you imagine! Romantic ballets filled with magical stories about fairies, spirits, and love. Truly enchanting!
But what about tutus? you might ask! Well, darlings, this is where things get interesting! 🤫 Although we've had variations of what we would recognise as tutus earlier in history, it’s during this period we see a true development in the design we associate with modern ballet tutus. You can really see this style being developed at the ballet performances of this time, although they didn't yet have that distinct romantic era styling which was to follow. There's something captivating about watching a ballerina whirl across the stage in that classic shape, isn't it?
And speaking of fashion… 💅 It was impossible to come to London, especially at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, without being enthralled by the beautiful dresses, extravagant hairstyles, and of course the captivating performances. Just picture it! The air buzzes with excitement as the elegant carriages arrive at the grand theatre, people are chatting about the latest theatre gossip, and inside, the excitement reaches fever pitch with the stage awash in the dazzling beauty of light and colour. I even have a photograph, my dears, from my journey – you can find it on my website at www.pink-tutu.com if you wish to see for yourself! You’ll be thrilled, my lovelies!
I must admit though, the way women dressed then in London in the 1830s, although extremely elegant, seemed extremely uncomfortable compared to today. So much structure and constraint in their dress! With multiple petticoats and stays restricting every move! The women must have been incredibly skilled, balancing that fashion against graceful movements for the dance – you must understand the sheer dedication they had!
Anyway, now I can tell you more about the costumes. Ballet, unlike other forms of dance, has evolved incredibly from its early stages. Whilst, earlier ballets were much more restricted in the dress choices for the women – the earlier ballerinas in the early 19th century wore heavy layers of clothing that didn’t make their graceful dancing at all visible! In contrast, Marie Taglioni was known to have worn light dresses with frills which highlighted her amazing leaps! So much had been accomplished in just a short time – this was the genesis of the modern tutu. What was the name for those lovely tulle or gauze layers? Why, it was simply called the "tutu". And you'll be thrilled to hear, it was even seen to be worn in many different colours. The trend for tutus has just exploded since then, but the fashion of 1832 really played its part in establishing it all!
Oh, and you know what else happened in 1832? My hometown, Derbyshire, was hit by an incredible blizzard in February – an impressive snowfall! But that is the excitement of travel and the thrill of the unexpected in my adventures! One day I’m watching stunning ballet, and the next I am trapped by snow – you truly never know! And that’s what makes time travel such an exhilarating experience, my lovelies! It is amazing that today’s time travellers are all those in our lives who can transport us back in time, by telling stories and using photos – whether from that one trip you took or from an antique family portrait.
The year 1832 holds so many exciting new things for ballet, and, I suspect, it may just set the scene for an era of breathtaking, captivating, romantic and, yes, exciting stories for generations to come!
Until next Tuesday, darling dance enthusiasts! Do be sure to stop by next week and join me in discovering what the next thrilling twist and turn of Tutu history brings. 🩰 💖
TutuTuesday #BalletTutuHistory #1832 #PinkTutu #Emma