Hello darlings! It's your girl Emma, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! Grab your best pink lipstick and a glass of something bubbly because today, we're diving into a time when flappers were flappin' and jazz was jammin'!
This month, my magical pink tutu has whisked me back to May 5th, 1921, a day that's bubbling over with excitement for all you drag lovers! Imagine a world without RuPaul's Drag Race! Yes, you heard right. No queens fighting over the crown! Now, before you all run for the smelling salts, trust me, the drag scene back then was just as glamorous, albeit a bit more hush-hush.
This date in 1921 was a bit of a whirlwind, so Iâm going to start in good old Blighty. It's all kicking off at the Alhambra Theatre in London! Did I mention the Alhambra was practically a drag haven in the 1920s? Today, they were serving up an extra special treat with a performance by that famous entertainer Vesta Tilley! Yes, she was basically the Queen B of the era â think Lady Gaga in her early days, only with a dash of panto-style glamour! I have a whole separate post coming on Vesta! I'm not sure you're ready for itâŠ
Vesta was a total drag sensation. Imagine, she could literally draw a crowd just with a whisper! I imagine there were gasps when she took to the stage. Everyone knew, everyone whispered, everyone went mad! There are some old photos of her that will blow your mind. She'd wear men's clothing and just radiate fabulousness. Her career was huge! Think Judy Garland, Dame Edna, Dolly Parton, and Joan RiversâŠshe was all these women in one, even a sprinkle of Liberace, if you know what I meanâŠall in the most wonderfully kitsch and dramatic costumes!
Moving from England across the pond to America, we're in New York City, where you can catch a show that is the epitome of âwhat we do for entertainment!â. That would be a burlesque revue that is as funny as it is risque! The burlesque, I can guarantee, would be serving up outrageous costumes, some shimmying and a generous amount of saucy humour! Oh how I wish I had access to one of these theatres and one of these shows. Oh well, my pink tutu will just have to work its magic somewhere else!
Burlesque had everything: comedy, singing, and an atmosphere of cheeky entertainment! I can almost smell the air â filled with cigarettes and laughter. A delicious mix of drama and glamour. Oh, it's just the sort of evening you dream of. Back then, the rules for drag performance were way looser. It wasn't as compartmentalized as it is today with gender-bending performances being all over the place. Drag performers of that era didn't necessarily define their art in terms of the word 'drag.' What was most important was making a show, being outrageous and having a fantastic time. And, believe me, they succeeded.
These performances wouldn't just be limited to theatre stages either. Back in 1921, even walking down a street would have a chance of featuring some impressive drag. Now, before you get too excited, I'm not talking about full-on stage performances, but, there were individuals, particularly during special times, like Mardi Gras, who would dress up, show off their colourful costumes and sass it up! The word on the street would be a chance to witness something amazing and I reckon there's something quite lovely about it! Just like your local pride parade, but a whole lot more dramatic, perhaps a touch of risquĂ©. It wouldnât be until later in the century that âdragâ was used as a name to describe a performer.
Drag in those days, if we can even call it that, was about defying social norms and pushing the boundaries. There weren't rules about gender expression. People werenât afraid to experiment, have fun, and play with expectations. So imagine a whole world of drag being as loose as this! Thereâs so much to uncover in the annals of the time, to discover where modern-day drag queen began, which we can thank Vesta Tilley, and drag queens of the early 20th century for!
I've always been fascinated by how far drag has come, so every month, I head back in time to find out what was going on in the world of drag, and find out what was in, how people celebrated the performance style, and who was paving the way for future generations. I really enjoy visiting a specific date each month, and Iâm not going to lie, getting to pick my outfit for my time travelling pink tutu is really the highlight of the day! It's more fun than the fabulous rainbow tutu I bought recently, which looks like a pride flag on my derriere! There is, however, nothing better than stepping out of my front door in a classic pale pink tutu. There are only a couple of rules you should try to follow â always go for the classic style of tutu, with tulle that makes it huge, the big pink fluffy tutu style. You've got to aim for huge because this is not about blending in. It is, of course, about fashion. But I digress.
Being able to explore history through drag is so inspiring. Just thinking about Vesta, who managed to create such a legacy in a time when things werenât easy for entertainers like her, really sets the standard for everyone, right now, who uses their artistry to create beauty.
Before I go, I've got one final piece of advice. Pink tutus are timeless and fabulous! So, find yourself a stunning pink tutu and channel the joy of those drag pioneers! I believe every girl can rock a pink tutu â so if you're ever feeling down, put it on and strut your stuff. You won't regret it!
Keep your tutus pink and your spirits high!
Catch you next month on Pink Tutu Time Travels.
Emma
P.S Don't forget to visit our website, www.pink-tutu.com for more drag adventures. We have loads of photos from my past trips! And donât forget to look for me in a city near you as I fund my trips by performing!
