Greetings, dear readers! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another adventure straight from the annals of ballet history! This month, my trusty steed, Magic Meg, whisked me to the vibrant streets of Paris on the 7th of July, 1834. This trip was truly special, not just for the Parisian charm, but for a ballet premiere that stole the stage, and an incredible discovery that left me wanting to twirl in the cobblestones!
Before I dive into the highlights of my trip, I must confess that my pink tutu has been getting more than its fair share of attention lately. Everywhere I travel, onlookers marvel at the colour and the cut, even if they have never heard of the ballet itself! This trip was no exception. People would stop, stare, and even bow! It makes me wonder if they thought I was some kind of princess from a storybook... a little bit surreal, but quite flattering all the same.
Anyway, I arrived in Paris buzzing with excitement for the main event: the premiere of "La Fille Mal Gardée". This iconic ballet, later translated as "The Wayward Daughter," had already made waves in its original version. Now, choreographed by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli, it was set to light up the Parisian stage with its blend of lighthearted humour, endearing characters, and beautiful dance routines.
Now, as I sat in the theatre, I couldn't help but feel a pang of wistfulness. Oh, to have experienced ballet in those early days! The atmosphere, the hushed anticipation, the hushed applause that seemed to last an eternity. These things are simply not the same in our modern ballet world. There's something magical about experiencing the origin story of a beloved work of art.
"La Fille Mal Gardée" was a delightful romp through a farmyard. We met Lise, a beautiful young woman who yearns for romance and dreams of escape from her mother’s watchful eye. Of course, there was her sweetheart, Colin, with his love for her matched only by his love for dancing! There were witty characters, unexpected plot twists, and, of course, beautiful ballets that brought the whole thing together. I especially enjoyed the clog dancing scene; it was charmingly rustic and beautifully choreographed! The crowd, by the way, was ecstatic - clapping, stomping, and even shouting for their favourites. It was infectious, the energy!
While the theatre performance was a wonderful experience, what I discovered that same evening was truly life-changing! Wandering through the bustling Parisian streets, my gaze fell upon a shop window. It wasn't filled with fancy gowns or jewels; it was filled with... tutus! And not just any tutus, but pink tutus! This discovery had me doing pirouettes in the street, I was so elated! Imagine my delight when I found that not only were pink tutus already a fashion statement, they were all the rage! It seems like our little ballerina dreams have some historical resonance after all! Of course, I picked up a new pink tutu from this store. It has lovely hand-painted ribbons with charming French countryside scenes that match the charm of the performance I'd just seen!
I packed my backpack with treasures I found during this trip - beautiful old programs, and a hand-written journal filled with an anonymous ballerina's stories and reflections on Paris during this period! These treasures, along with the vibrant memories of a beautiful ballet performance, will make for a lovely story to tell back home in Derbyshire, amongst my ballet family.
Until next month, my fellow ballet lovers! May your lives be filled with graceful pirouettes, soaring leaps, and lots and lots of pink tutus! Don't forget to visit our online shop, www.pink-tutu.com, for more beautiful ballet apparel and exclusive pink tutu designs inspired by my time travels!
And, of course, never forget the power of a good pink tutu. After all, a little bit of pink can make any day a grand performance!
