Hello my darling dears, welcome to the latest instalment of my Pink Tutu Time Travels! I'm your host, Emma, and this month I'm whisking us back to November 11th, 1741! Remember, you can find all of my time travelling adventures on www.pink-tutu.com, where I post a new episode once a month. Now, saddle up on my magical pink-sparkled shire horse, Magic Meg, as we journey to the heart of the 18th century!
Today, my trusty Meg and I trotted through a foggy morning mist in Derbyshire, arriving at a quaint little village bustling with life. I was thrilled to find myself at a bustling market where I gathered all sorts of treasures for my leather rucksack – a delightful little silk shawl perfect for a dancer, a vintage ballet book with delicate hand-drawn illustrations of balletic figures, and a feather boa for the ultimate theatrical flourish!
With a gentle, "giddy-up Meg," I felt the familiar thrill of time travelling through the mist, our arrival at the very heart of London was a magical journey of discovery. The streets bustled with an energy of creativity – I mean, what’s better than the excitement of London?
We headed straight for Covent Garden where, my dears, oh, what a spectacle I saw! My heart beat faster with the joyous news of a ballet performance by one of the greatest ballet masters, Monsieur Antoine Benoist. A Parisian born dancer and choreographer, he held an impressive position in England – imagine the fame and glory, my dears! Imagine being lauded for your talent, a true gift from God. This dance was part of an entire series, you know, and I just had to see it, a rare treasure!
Oh, how enchanting it was to watch these ballerinas perform in elaborate gowns, the costumes were pure works of art – it's funny to think that a simple dancer’s life back in these times was quite a busy one. Think about the dedication and skill, their graceful figures moving across the stage in elegant dance formations. I am, of course, still learning myself, attending a few ballet classes weekly and dancing at the studio.
My mind was captivated by the rhythmic movements and stories they painted across the stage. It wasn’t only about the dancers and their ballets that were delightful but the sheer energy and magic that surrounded them. The applause, the orchestra’s music, the excited chatter – these are all things that have captivated us since the earliest times and still hold sway over us.
Monsieur Benoist and his ballets have left a lasting impact, influencing all ballet movements after this, they set a truly inspiring benchmark and for this, I give a gracious and thankful nod.
You can find a detailed overview of Monsieur Benoist's work at the famous National Portrait Gallery in London! I absolutely loved visiting, oh, how I wish I could have experienced one of his performance live! What a thrilling historical memory.
It wasn't just ballet on my schedule this time around. The 18th century was buzzing with fashionable activities - I adore the charm of those bygone eras, and even got to watch a performance at Drury Lane Theatre – one of the oldest theatres in the world, by the way. The elegant decor and ornate costumes left me spellbound! But it was during a quick stop at the beautiful royal court that I made a startling discovery! I found the most divine vintage velvet dress – you just cannot believe it, darlings! You see, back then, there was a trend for using rich velvet materials – they looked amazing!
Of course, you know I could not leave London without a pit stop at one of the oldest and most luxurious establishments - The Coffehouse! It wasn’t only for coffee that I came though; it was the buzz and atmosphere that brought me through those famous wooden doors. They truly were a vital centre of the day for men, where the men, as it should be, sipped coffee and enjoyed an engaging conversation or two, discussing politics, art, and yes, of course, dancing! It is still amazing how so much hasn't changed, we love our gossiping, politics and theatre.
After spending several days, I found it time to take leave of the London charm. With Magic Meg, I traveled towards my hometown of Derbyshire. It was quite exciting, having spent all that time in London. The peace of my quiet, country home and a nice long bath awaited my arrival.
I know many of you lovely dancers, just like me, dream of travelling back in time to explore the incredible world of ballet in its very beginnings. If you too, are looking to step into a world of vibrant colours, grace and elegance, then visit www.pink-tutu.com! Remember, darlings, the more we share our passion for ballet and our love of pink, the more magic we create in our lives, one twirling step at a time!
I look forward to sharing our next adventure with you in my next blog post - until then, keep practicing your pirouettes and dreaming of dancing across the centuries!
