Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time-travelling queen. It's December 12th, 1925, and as usual, I've hopped into my magical pink tutu and whisked myself away to another fabulous era, this time, the roaring twenties, to the world-famous Folies Bergère in Paris.
The glitz, the glamour! You can just imagine the roar of the crowd and the scent of perfume wafting through the air. Honestly, darlings, Paris in the twenties was the ultimate playground for glamorous performances and fabulous fashion. I'm sure you know this, but the Folies Bergère was the it spot to be, showcasing everything from lavish ballet to stunning burlesque, all topped off with a generous dose of sassiest cabaret numbers. Oh, the costumes, my darlings! Feathers, sequins, and just enough skin to tantalize, it was truly the pinnacle of "fabulousness", as we'd say these days.
So, I was at this exquisite, decadent venue with my little time travelling tutu, mingling with the well-heeled Parisian crowd and getting my fill of all things extravagant. Now, back in the twenties, the art of drag wasn't really as commonplace as it is today. It wasn't about expressing yourself as much as it was about putting on a show, with women dressing up as men, sometimes even mimicking their rougher mannerisms. The line was more blurred between gender-bending and impersonation, not to mention those stunning, feathered headdresses! You could say it was less about 'slaying' and more about ‘spectacularly entertaining’ with all the flair imaginable!
There were dancers and singers and, of course, a few glamorous entertainers like myself. One of my favourite parts of being in the past is experiencing these earlier drag traditions – the historical context, the spectacle, the beauty, it's a real inspiration for my modern-day work. Imagine a glittering, feathery number from a glamorous show girl in Paris. It is almost an opera sung in costume with feathers and dazzling lighting! These iconic performances have definitely made their mark on my own drag journey!
Speaking of inspiration, let's get down to the meat of what I saw that night: the spectacle was truly astonishing. I witnessed a stunning ballet performance featuring elegant female dancers who just flowed and glided on stage. Talk about grace, precision, and pure artistry – their costumes were as dreamy as they come. They even had this daring new “ballroom style" of choreography! Think waltz moves and elegant curves with a bit of a twist. The women even wore this new "fashion trend" - shorter dresses - daring, don't you think? Imagine: it's 1925, and these girls were already sporting fashion trends like the flapper dress and the iconic bob hairstyle – what absolute icons!
The performers were fantastic, darlings. It’s one thing to be good at drag, but being talented and charismatic onstage? It takes talent to pull it off with the kind of artistry and skill that I witnessed here. You just don’t get this kind of dedication from performers these days. Their enthusiasm and energy, you could just feel the passion radiating through every move, from the intricate steps of the ballet dancers to the passionate cabaret numbers. Every single show element brought a spark of excitement and glamour to the stage – you know what they say, more is more, and the Folies Bergère definitely understood that concept.
There's one act in particular I wanted to share. The entire theatre held its breath as this gorgeous lady, a complete vision of Parisian glamour, took the stage. Let's call her "Simone." Her makeup was bold – think crimson lipstick and smoky eyes – paired with an equally captivating ensemble. I think her outfit was just scandalous enough for the time – lots of sequins and a slinky, beaded dress with feathers that moved like she had wings! Simone held the whole room in her grasp – not just with her beauty, darling, but her absolute dedication to every nuance of her routine.
Imagine a shimmering figure, a swirling sea of sequins and feathers moving to the music. There she was - Simone – performing in her glory. She captivated everyone, and they roared with applause! Let’s just say a certain pink tutu -clad blogger like me was captivated. I wanted to know her secret - what kind of spell she had cast upon that crowd. Simone, if you're out there somewhere in the annals of time, darling, I thank you for showing me what true theatrical magic is all about.
Simone's act reminded me of one important thing – the power of a truly memorable performance. I mean, how can we create magic without dedication and passion? Simone reminded me that real drag isn't just about glitz and glam, it's about heart and soul.
It's amazing how much drag has changed over the decades! Drag back in the twenties wasn’t as open about exploring gender identity, but those Parisian ladies weren't afraid to take to the stage and showcase their beauty, passion, and captivating flair. It's just fascinating, you know, how trends and artistry intertwine to tell a story of progress and cultural evolution.
So, back to my own little world. While the Folies Bergère might not be the exact drag haven it once was, my drag community is thriving – it's evolving and celebrating its unique place in society. Whether you're at a bustling drag bar, a grand theater, or your own local LGBTQ+ community centre, I encourage you to embrace the history and the vibrant creativity that continues to fuel our community, and don’t be shy! Embrace the magic and sparkle – remember, my darlings, it's a pink tutu kind of world!
Love, Emma.
