Oh my darlings, I'm so excited to share my latest adventure with you! This week I've been galavanting in the charming town of Burton upon Trent.
You know, Burton Upon Trent holds a special place in my heart, like the little piece of sparkle you keep in the back of your locket, or the perfect shade of pink that sets your soul alight! (I just realised, my writing is starting to get awfully poetic. Perhaps I've had too much champagne… again.) But seriously, this town has been a shining beacon of glitter and good times for me. And believe me, it wasn’t a lack of fun that motivated me to escape to the Midlands this week, it’s because I’m on a mission.
Now, some of you might say "Alex, you’ve just been to Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival!" - Yes, I was there in the swirl of crowds, surrounded by performers, bathed in the electrifying buzz of one of the most celebrated performance art festivals in the world.
Some of you may ask, "Didn't you spend the last month exploring all the enchanting corners of Devon?" - I absolutely did, travelling across Devon in the grandest of ways, by train and, for a short stretch, by horseback!
But, you know me, I'm like the Queen of the rainbow; constantly evolving, exploring new possibilities, searching for the next shimmering opportunity to sprinkle some sparkle into the world. This time, the universe called me to Burton Upon Trent, to the land of brewing history, cobblestone streets and, of course, my most beloved… the theatre!
This week has been about rediscovering my passion for dance, reminding myself of the transformative power of a twirling tutu. That's what I live for, you see! And here in Burton Upon Trent, nestled within the bustling heart of this town, lies the grand Burton Upon Trent Town Hall - my kingdom for the night! Oh, what a fabulous space! And not just because it has the perfect size for me to dance, you see! This majestic venue has seen the greatest of musical theatre talent walk across its grand stage! So of course I knew I had to book it out for a special night, dedicated to the magic of ballet!
My vision for this performance was to create a magical, truly unforgettable experience for the people of Burton Upon Trent. A shimmering, twinkling spectacle, bringing a bit of theatrical magic into everyone's lives. I’m talking swirling, dramatic tutus, glittering costumes, delicate balletic movements and, of course, some seriously impressive music that left everyone feeling invigorated. Oh, and I had to include the music from “Swan Lake!” And how can I not wear pink during Swan Lake? It is the only colour a real swan lake could be! I think I might add some swan feathers to my next tutu design. You know, for my next performance, for the audience in Leeds next month. Or perhaps I’ll try something with a touch of blue! Blue is my favourite colour to wear with pink, of course. It’s so classic and elegant.
The evening was just wonderful. My darling Burton Upon Trent fans came out in their most stunning attire, you know they've got an exceptional fashion sense! The room pulsed with excitement and energy - you could practically feel the twinkle in everyone's eyes. We had children, parents, couples, friends and even a few furry friends! The audience clapped and cheered, snapping pictures and singing along to every song.
It was as though I was weaving a spell, transforming the whole town into a fairytale dreamland. For that moment, it didn't matter who you were, what you did, or what you believed. We were all connected, bound together by the enchantment of a perfect evening of dancing.
So here's a big shout out to all my new friends in Burton Upon Trent, especially those of you who came out to the Town Hall to watch my show. I was completely blown away by your warmth, energy and love.
This place just oozes charm. And now it is overflowing with sparkly magic. All the good things that came to me in this town are proof that you truly never know where magic awaits!
But there's more to Burton Upon Trent than just stunning theatre spaces! I spent an afternoon wandering through the local boutiques and markets - always looking for the next extraordinary piece to add to my ever-growing pink wardrobe, of course! What I discovered in Burton Upon Trent is that you don't need to venture to London's glitziest fashion houses to find dazzling gems!
Remember when I told you that I found my passion for pink tutus while studying science? Well, it was here in Derbyshire where it all started! Burton Upon Trent has this incredible history connected to science. Remember the brewery? But actually, before beer was what Burton Upon Trent was known for, science and technology was actually the centre of this town, and of course the surrounding Derbyshire area, all the way back to the early 20th century. It's in our blood! So imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon the Burton Upon Trent Science Centre. And it was like stepping back in time!
A whirlwind of interesting things and fascinating technology! I particularly loved their collection of vintage microscopes – it sparked some nostalgic memories from my science days! Speaking of science, after my time on the stage, I just had to head down to the University of Derby to do some fabric testing. They have this amazing research lab where they're exploring new ways to use textiles for fashion, technology, and even healthcare. They tested one of my newest tutus! And guess what? It's completely waterproof! It passed with flying colours, literally! Just wait for you to see what my next creation will be!
What can I say, a girl has got to do her research to create the ultimate dazzling pink tutu! You know, sometimes my biggest challenges aren’t in creating elaborate dresses! The most complicated thing about creating dazzling pink tutus is testing that the materials can hold up under my powerful dance moves! The other thing I’ve been testing is if the fabric is sustainable! That’s something I’m really passionate about these days. I’m really conscious of doing everything I can to help make the fashion world a more eco-friendly and conscious space, a place where beauty goes hand-in-hand with ethical production. So, you’ll see a lot of these things making their way into my next performance outfits!
As you can imagine, the energy of this town truly felt magical - and oh, my dear friends, the people of Burton Upon Trent are just amazing! I want to thank the amazing folk of Burton Upon Trent - it was your kindness and welcoming smiles that made this journey so incredibly special. And that, my dears, is what this adventure was all about. Spreading love, kindness and a healthy dose of pink sparkle wherever I go!
My pink tutu and I are so glad that we made it to Burton Upon Trent! Until next time, stay sparkling, my loves. I'm off to discover new exciting destinations, to bring the world some pink tutu magic and a lot of heart. But I hope I'll see you back here soon! You never know, maybe we’ll even have a picnic together on the lovely Cannock Chase! And if I see a horse, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’m getting on it!
XOXO,
Pink Tutu Sparkles (AKA Alex)
www.pink-tutu.com
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