Hello, darlings! Pink Tutu Sparkles here, reporting live from the most fabulous town in all of the Midlands: Northampton! You guys, it’s been a dream come true, absolutely everything about this trip was sheer perfection. Honestly, the sheer joy and glamour has me practically spinning like a ballerina on point! But before I tell you about my utterly amazing night on stage at Northampton's finest venue (more on that later!), let's rewind a bit, shall we?
Remember those early mornings I mentioned in the last blog post? Those were spent catching a gorgeous train down from Derbyshire. You wouldn't believe the fab views! All those lovely rolling fields with cows and horses, dotted with thatched cottages like something straight out of a fairytale. Plus, nothing beats sipping a cheeky cappuccino in first-class, especially when you're decked out in a super chic pink satin jumpsuit (it even matched my hat!)
I must say, being a glamorous travelling queen certainly does take its toll. It takes some serious energy to make it all happen, and after such a long journey, even the most energetic among us deserves a touch of luxury. So naturally, I booked myself a beautiful pink room at the Northampton's charming, pink-hued "The Rose Garden" hotel! And my dear darlings, you simply must imagine the opulent chandeliers and floral-patterned wallpaper – a haven for a pink-loving queen like myself!
After a little rest and relaxation, I treated myself to a fabulous high tea in the hotel’s pretty courtyard garden. Imagine: sandwiches (let's be honest, the sandwiches were more tiny cucumber fingers and ham and butter squares, but absolutely delightful!), exquisite dainty cakes, and pots of the most heavenly, strong black tea, all enjoyed in the beautiful, fragrant sunshine. Just divine!
The afternoon saw me sashay into the wonderful Northampton museum, home to a delightful collection of paintings and objects of historical interest. Who knew they even had a Tudor-era fashion display?! Honestly, I'm sure I spent far too much time marvelling over those magnificent, jewel-toned dresses. Of course, I even had a go at putting together my own costume display. And yes, I did slip a teeny tiny, super cute pink tutu into the exhibit - don’t tell anyone, but it’s a secret between us, and I promise they let me back in for tomorrow’s final glimpse of the museum’s incredible collection! You can be sure I'll be taking you all with me through a post brimming with pics, if my sneaky museum shenanigans work out!
But let's get back to the real reason I travelled all the way to Northampton, my fabulous, shimmering, star-studded show! The atmosphere at the Northampton Theatre was electrifying, a total whirlwind of glitz and glamour.
My act for tonight? Why, my pièce de résistance! "The Fairy Tale Tutu," my most dazzling ballet routine, full of twirls and leaps in the most beautiful, shimmering, sparkly pink tutu you could ever imagine. Honestly, darling, you couldn’t find a more suitable tutu even if you travelled across the entirety of the British Isles, right to the wild, windswept cliffs of the north! It has the most delightful swirling rainbow-hued ribbon, all woven with real silk from the silkworms of…well, who cares, you can look up those lovely silkworms yourself – all that matters is it absolutely shimmered on the stage and everybody just loved it! I absolutely gave my all and you guys, the applause, the roars, the cheers! The sheer joy on everyone's faces as I spun and pirouetted - it truly was a dream come true!
The crowd, they just ate it up, every last sprinkle of that glittery, gorgeous performance. Of course, it wasn’t all ballet and tutus, you know. It wouldn't be a true Pink Tutu Sparkles performance without a dash of theatrics! You can bet there was dancing, singing, some flamboyant and dramatic poses, and even a few cheeky lines thrown in for good measure. You know, the very best, super glittery, light-hearted and family-friendly sort of lines that would make the Queen chuckle (or maybe raise an eyebrow – honestly, you just never know, do you?!)
There was this wonderful, little boy in the front row who just loved the performance. And as if on cue, a few of his little friends joined him right in the front, all ready to be entertained by Pink Tutu Sparkles! He even got me to autograph his rainbow-coloured, pink, unicorn drawing - how cute is that, you guys?! It really brought back so many warm, fuzzy feelings of childhood magic.
After my big bow, you’d have thought the theatre’s roof was going to lift off - so much cheering, whistles, and whoops! It really did leave my heart filled to the brim with that magic. And yes, darling, you can just bet I picked out a few lovely ladies and gentlemen to perform a couple of simple ballet moves with me, after my bow. Because what better way to inspire, encourage, and spread a bit of joy and cheer, than to share that wonderful feeling with the whole audience! Seriously, the smile on that one little girl's face - the girl who could not even reach her tutu to pick it up, let alone do a simple piqué - well, that right there was worth all the stress of the travel, performance preparation, and everything else! It's all about those small little things!
There is something incredibly special about taking my little bit of magic and spreading it through my dance routines. Just watching someone, however young or old, find a touch of sparkle within them is all I need. It's about finding the magic and bringing joy to the world, one pink tutu at a time! You know what they say darling: If you've got it, flaunt it. And, honestly, that’s exactly what Pink Tutu Sparkles plans to keep on doing, because life's too short not to sparkle and be glamorous.
Anyway, back to my night in Northampton. It simply would not be right for any queen to end their night with anything other than the ultimate in theatrical elegance: a late-night glass of chilled champagne and an exquisite supper at The Rose Garden’s restaurant. You see, the most glamorous diners never rush, darling, and it was such a beautiful summer evening. The restaurant had that beautiful, traditional look you’d imagine if you went out for dinner after the theater with an equally glamourous, well-travelled and extremely fabulous British theatrical producer and his gorgeous, beautiful leading lady – think scarlet-coloured linen, with candles in hurricane lamps and a roaring fireplace in the corner… and it truly was fabulous – though a little pricey for someone as modest and hardworking as moi, it was totally worth every penny!
The Rose Garden is just this fabulous little haven for a truly delightful English dinner. The perfect setting for my post-performance debrief and reflections, where I get to sip on my champagne, take stock of the journey and all the sparkling success and adventures to be had.
And of course, as a pink-tutu loving queen, I had to sneak a couple of twirls on the parquet floor! I even caught the eye of a fellow traveller with her little poodle - I just knew I’d struck up a little friendship if it wasn't so late! She was even wearing pink, though admittedly not a tutu, but still a sign of impeccable taste!
It is only through those intimate moments, with fellow human beings, whether through a single performance or a quick exchange with someone in an intimate setting, that you feel the joy of that wonderful connection with other souls, don’t you? And honestly, darlings, nothing else is more important!
As for Northampton, it’s a wonderful town, absolutely oozing with history and culture. It’s definitely one that will have Pink Tutu Sparkles waltzing back to its fabulous shores in the very near future. Until next time, my dear friends, you can catch me next weekend, back in Derbyshire, and oh my gosh, you won’t believe the incredible venue and costumes I’ve chosen for you. You’ll just have to keep reading, but in the meantime: spread those tutu smiles, darling, spread those tutu smiles!
