Wednesday 21st January, 1998
Darling darlings! It's your girl, Emma, back again with another cosmically fabulous blog post from the dusty old planet Earth! Honestly, you wouldn't believe the things I've been up to. I mean, last week was nuts! I think my jetlag from my latest interstellar adventures still hasn't entirely subsided, but here we are, back in dear old Derbyshire, ready for another round of planet Earth excitement. Let me fill you in...
This week, we're venturing into the glamorous world of... wait for it... ballet! Now, I know what you're thinking: "Emma, haven't you written about ballet a hundred times already?" Well, darling, this isn't just any old ballet, it's ballet on PLANET EARTH! It's a whole different kettle of fish, you know! It's like comparing a graceful swan dive to a clumsy penguin waddle!
I'll admit, I was initially sceptical, honestly. Could the humble ballet really hold its own against the grandeur and glitz of intergalactic stage productions? Could there be a tutu, even remotely as fab, on this dusty little ball of rock? Turns out, I was totally wrong. Earth has its fair share of sartorial sparkle, and the ballet scene, I must admit, was beyond fab-tastic.
The moment I arrived in this London metropolis, all shimmering with neon and smog, I knew I was in for a treat. The city pulsed with a vibrant energy, and the air itself hummed with the thrill of a thousand dreams, waiting to be realised. And yes, it really is just like the films! You’ll find some absolute classic ballet looks in the city, darling, if you look closely. They definitely know how to do a dramatic red lipstick. I found this incredible boutique - you must check out Dover Street Market - just full of absolutely iconic pieces. I bought these divine pink ballet pumps (which naturally, I’ve already incorporated into my latest look) and a sparkly pink top! Just like all my favourites. Just heavenly!
But it wasn't just the city's fashion that had me in a whirl; the Royal Opera House, with its towering red brick façade, was breathtaking. I’d been sent a sneak peak, a tutti fruiti glimpse behind the curtain of the Nutcracker – one of the ballet classics! Honestly, darling, it was utterly spellbinding.
The Nutcracker is a tale of a little girl and her toy soldier, brought to life on a grand stage with a magnificent score by the incomparable Tchaikovsky. The ballerinas, all in shimmering tutus, and the dancers, in magnificent, military attire, were truly awe-inspiring.
As for the story itself, it's pure magic: a mystical Christmas Eve, the young heroine Clara finds herself swept into a world of wonder, filled with dancing snowflakes, charming Sugarplum Fairies, and of course, a daring battle with the fearsome Rat King.
Oh, and did I mention the ballet shoes? Absolutely exquisite, darling. So tiny and precise, each little pleat on the shoe itself telling a story. The en pointe work...simply extraordinary!
And while we're talking about ballet history, there’s something to be said about the earth-bound origins of this delightful form of artistic expression. You know, I was actually in Derbyshire a couple of days ago, visiting Chatsworth House, which was a fabulous treat – it’s actually quite near my home, you know – the home of the famous Devonshire family. Now, Chatsworth, and it’s collection of rare and wonderful things, just reminds you of a different era, when the royals really had a look - their dance parties in their ballroom, oh the theatrics of the costume and dress, with everything just as perfect and grand as could be. There’s such beauty in the way people were presented, it really reminds you of how the world and style changed.
From France to Italy, the ballet on Earth has travelled throughout history and around the world. Now that’s some global glamour. It was such a thrill for me to visit the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. Honestly, there's simply something utterly magical about a London theatre! So, the Theatre Royal - well, the original theatre here on Earth has the incredible history of the London stage within its walls! It’s the perfect stage for all of those glittering stories to be told.
After the dazzling performance at the Royal Opera House, my Earthly fashion adventures continued with a delightful visit to one of the oldest and most beloved department stores, Harrods. A veritable cornucopia of fashion and delights! From stunning couture to whimsical accessories, the whole experience was truly extraordinary! But I didn't just do shopping – there were also divine pastries! Honestly, they are some of the best I’ve ever tasted, but my real love of the visit was this incredible ballet-themed department! I was positively floored at the collection of amazing tutus - honestly, darling, they're absolute masterpieces. Think delicate lace, glittering sequins, and even a feather boa that I just had to add to my shopping bag. There’s truly no place like Harrods for a truly unique shopping experience.
And darling, did I tell you about the street-performing artists? They were performing a truly enchanting ballet piece in Covent Garden. It’s so fabulous! Imagine ballet performances in every corner of the streets. Honestly, I could hardly contain my excitement.
The beauty and magic of Earth’s ballet, I must say, was really unexpected. This is an extraordinary art form, with a captivating history spanning hundreds of years. It’s certainly inspired me to consider how we can elevate ballet in the Galaxy – after all, the real way to make it an exciting adventure, a fun, glamorous, inspiring activity – is to spread it across the stars.
To celebrate this cosmic connection to my home planet, I’m inviting all my dear, dearest readers on Pink-Tutu.com to embrace the world of ballet in your own special way! It’s truly an extraordinary world – even on a planet with dust and fog, there are truly fabulous things to be discovered. Here are some of my favorite ideas to inspire you!
- Pick out a ballet inspired outfit for your next venture out! Get all dolled up! Why not dress your most magical outfit and dance down the street with confidence, flair, and style? Who knows, maybe someone will see your dazzling, eye-catching, amazing style and ask for a quick twirl! And be sure to document the adventure.
- Grab some friends for a Ballet themed photoshoot! Have fun, pose for each other and make your favourite memories with a ballet photoshoot, but remember, darling, the best thing about any ballet inspired photoshoot, is making it as dazzling as can be! Let your creativity flow.
Don’t forget to show me how you embrace the world of ballet – and remember, always remember to share your amazing photographs on social media using #PinkTutuWorld so that I can celebrate with you. I can’t wait to see your own fabulous interpretations, my darlings!
See you soon!
Lots of Love, Emma
Coming next week… a visit to The London Eye! I’ll keep you posted about my incredible journey.