Hello my lovely tutu-tastic friends! Emma here, your pinkest time traveller, back from another delightful adventure! This month, Magic Meg and I galloped through the mists of time to land right in the heart of 1708!
I do love the way this era smells – like a blend of fresh linen, spices, and the faintest whiff of woodsmoke. A real treat for the senses! My first impression, though, was how bustling and exciting this time period feels. London in particular – such a hive of activity with everyone going about their day!
Now, the ballet scene in 1708 was still evolving, a bit like a young swan taking its first tentative steps on the water! There weren't any dedicated ballet theatres back then, so performances took place in court, in theatres used for plays, and sometimes even outdoors in lavish gardens. Talk about flexibility, right? 😉
Luckily, thanks to the kind people at the Royal Opera House Archives, I learned that this particular day in 1708, August 8th, was quite a momentous one for ballet lovers. You see, Madame Camargo, one of the most celebrated ballerinas of her time, was preparing for a big performance at the Théâtre des Italien, which was actually housed within the luxurious Palais-Royal! I'm talking fancy décor, chandeliers twinkling, and the cream of society eagerly awaiting the performance. I've heard it was such a sensation that it made even the stiffest aristocrats feel like they were walking on air!
And wouldn’t you know it, August 8th, 1708, is the very date I arrived at! Now, being a fan of the theatre and history, you can just imagine my delight! Madame Camargo's style was revolutionary – you see, she was known for ditching the heavy, restricting panniers and corseted gowns of the era. She went for a streamlined style, a form of costume that allowed her to dance with grace and freedom. And guess what? Her dresses, especially her performance costume, had a flared skirt, much like a tutu, though less voluminous of course. It must have been a dazzling sight!
To get my heart thumping even faster, Madame Camargo was dancing a ballet that I absolutely adore: "L'Amour Champêtre," a work created by the great Pierre Beauchamp, who is considered the father of French ballet! The ballet showcased her exquisite artistry, her agility, and a graceful athleticism. It was about a pastoral love story – charming, lyrical, and deeply moving. And to imagine, I was there to witness a slice of this fascinating theatrical history!
Of course, a girl's gotta shop, so my trusty backpack was packed with goodies, and what did I unearth? Some lovely antique trinkets that tell the tale of the 1700s ballet world. A miniature pair of pointe shoes from a time when dancers didn't wear them on stage, but did use heeled shoes for added height and grace. I got my hands on some exquisite lace swatches, similar to what would have adorned Madame Camargo's dress – just imagine the sheer beauty of it!
And the pièce de résistance? A precious little booklet with some fascinating sketches of ballet postures and steps – some look quite similar to what we do today, but some were incredibly unique.
Magic Meg loves time travel as much as I do – in fact, I swear she can sense history around us. As we set off on our journey, her hooves practically skipped on the cobblestones. Of course, her golden hooves gleamed even brighter as she carried me back to my own time, full of tales and treasures from our ballet journey to 1708!
If you haven't already, do check out www.pink-tutu.com I love sharing my stories and passion for the ballet with the world, especially through this wonderful platform where I document my time travels. And if you'd like to see me in action, my next performance is in my home town, Derbyshire, at the beautiful Derby Theatre – don't miss it! And, as always, do keep dancing and keep wearing those gorgeous pink tutus! 💖 We can never have too much pink!
Lots of love,
Emma xoxo
