Hello my darlings! It's Emma, your time-traveling tutu queen, back again with another whirlwind trip through the history of drag! This time, I've whipped up my sparkly pink tutu and headed back to the Roaring Twenties, July 7th 1920 to be precise. Now, I must confess, it wasn’t all vintage cocktails and flapper dresses this time – I had a rather alarming brush with the law! But fret not, dear readers, I survived the escapade and have returned with juicy details of drag's daring escapades.
Imagine me, your queen, stepping into a dusty old time machine - or as I like to call it, my ‘tutu-tastic time twister’ - a fabulous machine adorned with feathers, sequins and a giant pink bow, of course! The clock was ticking down to 1920. A little excited flutter filled my tummy (much like a post-fish and chip feast, mind you), and with a flash of pink light, poof! I arrived.
Oh, the glorious sights and sounds! The air buzzed with a newfound freedom, jazzy music echoed down bustling city streets and the fashion, oh the fashion! It was truly an era where legs took centre stage, literally! Short dresses, sassy headbands and a sprinkle of risqué glitz… Drag queens were certainly taking risks and making their presence known, even in an age of social restrictions.
But here's the catch - you might not have caught sight of a drag queen with a bold "D-R-A-G" flashing across her chest, because back then, drag was more about subtlety, my loves! It was about stepping out in women’s clothing with an air of confidence, blurring the lines and having a bit of fun with the societal norms.
Imagine, a male actor taking the stage in a dazzling costume and a stunning gown, performing at a grand musical hall. That's exactly the sort of scene I walked into – and what a show! There was an undeniable charm to these performances, filled with song, dance, and, if the reviews were to be believed, plenty of ‘unbridled flamboyance’ (the words, not mine, darling).
Now, here comes the part where Emma the time traveler stumbles into a bit of an adventure! You see, my excitement about all this vibrant, daring drag led me into a Parisian theatre. Oh darling, the costumes were to-die-for. Flapper gowns with glittering beading, daring headpieces, feather boas… and then it hit me. An undeniable urge to join in, I simply had to be part of this! So, in a moment of reckless abandon, I waltzed onto the stage! (Don't judge me, darling, a tutu queen needs her fix!) I mean, I couldn’t exactly dance like a Parisian cabaret queen (ballet steps only, remember!), but my entrance certainly had everyone captivated. A hush fell over the theatre, then, as the most wonderful thing happened... Applause!
That's right, dear readers! The audience loved my pink tutu and feather boa combination, though their reaction might have been influenced by the rather bemused look on my face (I had no idea what the French words they were shouting meant! It’s tricky, you know, doing a flash mob when you don't even understand the language!). The performance was halted. But before you scream ‘Oh dear Emma, what have you done!’ it ended in quite a hilarious spectacle. I did get told off, however - for my ‘unauthorised appearance’. They used the most flamboyant hand gestures to do so - a delightful spectacle of Parisian finger wagging - quite the drag experience in itself, my loves.
However, I learned a very important lesson that day – even if you're sporting the most fantastic tutu and a genuine love for drag, not all historical events will welcome your enthusiastic participation! So, as much as my adventurous heart loves to explore drag history, I’m also learning the art of keeping my time-traveling self in check, and remembering that subtle moments of expression can be just as captivating as grand, showy affairs.
Speaking of capturing moments of wonder... I’ve returned home brimming with inspiration for my own show, "The Pink Tutu Twirl" and I've got so much more to tell you about the 1920s drag scene, but that's a story for another time!
Before I bid you farewell, darlings, I'm just so excited to see what new and fabulous discoveries we make together in our journey through time. Remember, whether it's a captivating drag show, a grand spectacle, or a whimsical Parisian mishap, always wear your heart on your sleeve (or better yet, a sparkling pink tutu).
Until next time, my lovelies. Let your fabulous flags fly!
XOXO,
Emma.
Remember to visit Emma’s Drag Queen Time Travel Blog, www.pink-tutu.com, to see more of her exciting travels and be sure to subscribe for updates on the next installment! Don’t forget to check out Emma’s exciting Drag performances, supporting Emma and the Pink Tutu cause – keeping the glitter in history and the sequins flowing!
