Darling! Get ready for a right royal fabulous time-travel adventure, because we're whisking ourselves back to 1936 – think glamorous gowns, grand theaters, and a whole heap of history in the making! But of course, what's a trip back in time without a sparkling pink tutu to make our arrival even more spectacular, darlings? So buckle up your ruby slippers and get ready for the latest Pink-Tutu.com travelogue!
Now, I'm obsessed with history, especially the fabulous history of drag! I absolutely love a bit of research, a dash of glamour, and of course, a healthy dose of camp! And since I started my magical time-traveling tutu journey back in June (sweetie, you wouldn't believe the fashion from 1967! ), I've seen things you wouldn't believe! But let me tell you, August 8th, 1936 was absolutely chilling! I found myself swooning in the most gorgeous grand theaters!
You see, on this day in history, something special was happening in the world of drag, darlings. It was opening night for the most anticipated event in all of drag: The Drag Queen's Ball at the iconic Palace Theatre in London! This wasn't just any old shindig. No, this ball was a celebration of everything drag. We're talking elaborate costumes, fierce lip-syncs, and the best showmanship Britain had ever seen. Imagine, dear readers, this before RuPaul made drag a household name.
The night was just as glamorous as you'd imagine, darling! It was a proper celebration of life, performance, and art. Can you even imagine, darlings? Back then, the world was only starting to accept drag, but it was a big event and everyone was talking about it!
And to top it all off, darling, this ball wasn't just about looking good. The organizers, a fabulous collective of drag legends who we sadly don't know by name today, were raising funds for charities dedicated to helping fellow drag performers. You know I love that, darlings!
But imagine, dear readers, seeing the best drag performers of 1936? I was surrounded by incredible costumes, outrageous makeup, and breathtaking performances! My favourite part was seeing the drag queen called Mavis, her stage name, but her real name was Michael. She had the most exquisite sequined evening gown, you'd think it was chandelier made of sparkly material, but it was a gown, all gold and black and a crown upon her head! There she was, centre stage giving a rendition of The Wind Beneath My Wings. She wasn't singing it, just a mimed performance. That took incredible dedication to be able to give the performance emotional impact in such a way! My chin was glued to the floor, she really was an exceptional performer. You should have seen the way the crowd went wild after she finished.
I also spied Arthur, who was quite the showman. Dressed in bright red velvet pants, a black bowtie and white waistcoat, and he did the most incredible dance, his silks and satin shirt flashing and shimmering as he moved! His dance moves were as smooth as honey, so very fluid. It was incredible!
The show itself really put on a spectacle that was so entertaining, the theatre was roaring with applause! The dancers truly put their hearts into it, as did the queens, their costumes, makeup, and showmanship shining like a beacon in the dimly lit theatre! I tell you, darling, this is real drag, before all the modern embellishments, where true talent and dedication to performance is what truly matters!
And while the ball was absolutely fabulous, my day in 1936 didn't stop there! I made my way around London town, taking in the vibrant and bustling scene of this iconic time in history. The streets were a whirlwind of fashion. I couldn't believe the hairstyles! I swear some of the ladies could have walked straight out of a Hollywood movie set.
I went into the fanciest stores and saw all the most glorious outfits. And to think, 1936 was just a little while before the war! Oh, you could have found everything you wanted there! Such luxurious materials. But, I had no choice but to stick to my budget as I couldn't buy any of it – no point going back in time, shopping too much and disrupting time-space continuums! But I can tell you one thing - a good ol' fashioned pink tutu with some good sequined accents, worn with some lace, looks just as chic then as it does now! The power of pink, darlings! It just makes the world go round.
And the best part of it all? I got to witness how drag became such a powerful tool for expression, art, and celebrating our individuality. It's a legacy that inspires us to this day!
I love to look back on those old days because it just makes me realise how far we've come in the world of drag! Drag shows are no longer held in secret locations - and although there are many drag artists that will perform on street corners or busking, nowadays you can see Drag performers on stages, television, in films, and they have their own shows, albums and songs!
My fellow pink tutu enthusiasts, I must say this: it's time to celebrate history! Every single one of us can contribute to this amazing legacy and keep pushing for progress and positivity in the drag scene. Keep strutting, keep shining, keep on rocking those sparkling tutus! I’m already on the lookout for my next pink-tutu escapade through time, so stay tuned!
I can’t wait to see what adventures await in my sparkly, time-traveling pink tutu! Now, if you'll excuse me, darlings, it's time to put my glitter on and get ready to rock my latest drag performance, after all, time travel takes a lot of hard work and dedication!
Remember to keep your tutus bright and your smiles even brighter! See you in the next post!
XOXO
Emma
