Hello darlings! It's your favourite time-travelling pink-tutu queen, Emma, back with another scintillating slice of Drag Queen History! This month, we're swirling back to April 4th, 1948, honey, a time when the world was still recovering from a world war, but drag, like a true survivor, was thriving in the shadows.
Oh darling, imagine the glamour! The air, filled with the sweet scent of wartime rationed perfume and smoky jazz. You could spot the boldest, bravest souls in a dazzling array of borrowed gowns and repurposed wartime materials. This was the era when drag truly found its home on the streets, in speakeasies, and underground clubs, defying the norms, shimmering like a rhinestone under the neon lights.
This time travel was particularly fabulous, dear readers. My shimmering pink tutu, a creation worthy of a Covent Garden gala, twirled in time as I arrived at the infamous Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. A little slice of New York history before it became an icon! I couldn’t believe it! The 1940s weren't just about rationing, war, and black-and-white films; there was also this electrifying, exciting undercurrent of defiant self-expression in drag!
Honestly, honey, this was the dawn of modern drag, where we moved away from the days of minstrelsy, vaudeville, and stage performances, towards the dynamic, rebellious street theatre that defined drag for the rest of the century.
Imagine my delight, darlings! As I waltzed through the swinging doors, a sea of incredible faces met my gaze. Drag queens in all their glorious forms. Gowns, wigs, and makeup as creative and expressive as their souls. We all joined a group performance at this underground haunt and I felt so at home.
My travels then took me across the ocean, back to good ol' Blighty! In London's West End, drag thrived in its own unique way. Here, you'd find theatrical drag shows with extravagant costumes, catchy tunes, and elaborate choreography. Think glamorous dance routines and risqué jokes, darling, perfect for a post-war audience hungry for entertainment. I got to join in on the grand finale of a show and I must say, even back then, British audiences had the most excellent sense of humor.
My dearest friends, in this era, it was an act of rebellion, an act of self-expression. These drag performers, brave and fearless, challenged social norms and used their platforms to defy expectations, bringing joy and light to the hearts of their audiences. They paved the way for drag today!
As for the news from Derbyshire that day, well, the Derby Evening Telegraph announced the end of coal rationing! So that’s why, even today, a cup of tea with a lovely Derbyshire scone tastes so delightful.
My time in the 1940s made me realize the enduring spirit of drag. The passion, the joy, the freedom it brought and still brings, is truly phenomenal. This era paved the way for drag's journey, a journey filled with evolution, expression, and incredible creativity! So, my dear readers, when you see a queen on stage, giving it their all, remember their predecessors, the queens of the 1940s, whose legacy we still enjoy today.
Keep an eye out for my next post as I time-travel through history. And until then, darlings, keep the pink tutus twirling!
Always, Emma
(You can join Emma's incredible time-traveling adventures by following her on www.pink-tutu.com every month for her amazing Drag Queen History adventures!)
