Hello darlings! It's Emma, your glamorous guide through the fabulous world of drag history. It’s been a month since we last met, and I'm bursting with excitement about today's adventure. Grab your tiaras and settle in, because today we’re heading back to…1924!
This, my lovelies, is the year of the Flapper. It's the year when the ladies of London were shimmying in dropped waist dresses, bobbing their hair and sipping on champagne cocktails, all while defying the Victorian notions of how a woman should be. It's an era of exciting rebellion and I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by without a visit!
Oh, but first things first. Have you heard? My blog just hit 10,000 subscribers! Oh, the joys! I knew the magic of a pink tutu could conquer the world…well, maybe not the world, but at least the internet, right? And, darling, speaking of magic, that’s how I managed to land myself right in the heart of London’s 1924 drag scene. My precious pink tutu, which I’ve told you all about before, has a secret… It’s actually a magical garment capable of time travel!
(I just know some of you are gasping and squealing, aren't you? And oh honey, believe me, when you see where my pink tutu took me, you’ll be even more floored!)
Anyway, as soon as the clock struck 11th November, I waltzed into the glittery time tunnel that’s somehow woven into the fabric of my darling pink tutu, and WHIZ! Off we went, travelling back through the years, faster than you could say, "Champagne and caviar!"
Now, as we all know, the year 1924 was all about those flamboyant Flappers, with their smoky eyes, short skirts and daringly daring hairstyles. That rebellious energy was definitely not just confined to the ladies!
I hopped out of the tutu, in a dimly lit alleyway, in the West End, and the energy was electrifying! And darling, I have to tell you, even back then, the drag queens of London had more confidence than a peacock in a disco!
I was immediately whisked away by a friendly young drag queen named Dolly (who told me that she used to be a barmaid in a fancy gentlemen’s club!) to what I can only describe as a clandestine nightclub that could have easily come straight out of the pages of a Noel Coward play. It was nestled deep in the bowels of London, with enough glitter to blind a cat. The room was smoky and dimly lit with chandeliers that shimmered like diamonds and walls adorned with flapper girls doing the Charleston and the Black Bottom, all the way to the top of the walls!
There were dancing girls who, when I asked Dolly, were drag queens themselves – men who loved nothing more than dressing up and making those gentlemen's heads spin. Oh, darling! Can you even imagine? I would have loved to have been a part of the glamorous show! But for now, it’s all about recording and documenting!
So, back to 1924! Imagine a cabaret scene that felt as vibrant as a peacock's plumage! The queens were wearing sparkling costumes – satin, fringe and feathers, just as bold as a Broadway production, only more…dare I say it, flamboyant! Some wore gowns, others trousers, but every queen in that space had an incredible level of confidence and presence! The way they carried themselves! Honestly, a lesson in self-assurance!
Then, the music struck up - a jazzy piano tune with an intoxicating beat! The ladies on the floor twirled and danced! There were cocktails flowing freely and oh honey! I swear I saw a man with a feather boa perched precariously atop his head! It was a magical and completely surreal spectacle – like watching a whirlwind of glittery, glamorous entertainment right before your eyes. But it was also an undeniable glimpse into the drag scene, even way back in 1924! The flamboyance, the charisma, and the talent!
Now, for a true time traveller’s dilemma: I was a little hesitant about asking to perform myself! You see, my trusty pink tutu wasn't the same shade of pink as all the shimmering sequins, feathers, and fringe. I feared it might stand out – but that's when Dolly took me under her wing (well, more accurately, offered me a cigarette!) She reassured me that drag is about self-expression, and even a bit of a departure from the trend can be a fabulous thing. It gave me the courage to strut onto the stage.
I gave a short performance, a solo number based on my favourite ballet steps - but adapted for a stage, a true mashup of ballet, Charleston, and, oh yes, a whole lot of pink! The crowd loved it, and after my performance, everyone crowded around me. Everyone had the same question – where on earth did I get this extraordinary pink tutu from! My darling tutu! How I wish you were here now to see this scene! It felt as exciting as it does for me every time I don a new pink tutu today!
The day ended as fabulously as it started – we all went back to the little back room for some secret champagne and a little midnight dance. This little trip to the past just cemented my passion for all things drag and brought the reality of our shared history into focus!
Remember, my lovelies, drag isn't just a performance – it's a history of bravery, self-expression, and pushing the boundaries of what society says is 'normal'. Even back in 1924, queens were doing what they loved! And we have all of them, their passion, and their glitter to thank for the incredible legacy of drag today.
Don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com, for even more of my drag queen time travel blogs and stories of all the wonderful places my trusty tutu takes me.
Until next time, keep your head high and never let anyone dim your sparkle.
Emma XO
