Hiya darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina queen! And guess what? It's the 4th of April, 1929! Isn't it just divine? I mean, I'm in my pinkest, poofiest, most fabulous tutu, channeling the era of flapper girls and jazz hands. Can you imagine the incredible energy back then? It's pure magic!
This month, we're taking a trip to a time before "drag queen" was even a phrase! Imagine, darling, when all we had was "the drag" - that moment of pure transformation, the audacity to embrace a character beyond yourself. Today's blog post is a little less about drag queens and a bit more about those fearless performers who paved the way. We're talking Vaudeville!
The Glam of Vaudeville!
Imagine, dear readers, the grand old theatres, packed with excited folks, anticipating a dazzling night of entertainment. No, not your typical opera – we're talking something a little more playful, something full of wit and dazzling costumes. This is Vaudeville, my dears, the hottest entertainment in town, a perfect mix of music, comedy, and performances so wild they would make your glitter stick to the ceiling!
And in this world, it wasn't all about sequins and feathers, darling! Yes, we had those too, but there was a rawness to it all, a daring spirit that really had an impact on the drag queens of the future! Remember your favourite comedy queen who makes you giggle till you snort? Well, chances are those routines had a good helping of Vaudeville flair to them!
A World of Wonderful Wonders!
So, what was happening on the Vaudeville stage this very day? Let me paint you a picture, with my words shimmering like the sequined gowns back then. On the 4th of April, 1929, audiences around the globe were treated to:
- W.C. Fields – Oh darling, the man of wit, the master of mischief! He was known for his sarcastic humour and slapstick routines, all delivered with an impeccable sense of timing. This day he was performing in The Ritz Theatre in New York!
- Sophie Tucker: Oh, this woman! What a vocal powerhouse! Known as the "Last of the Red Hot Mamas," her deep voice, sassy songs, and stunning stage presence made her a legend of Vaudeville. On this date, she was dazzling in a grand revue at the Capitol Theatre in New York! Can you imagine?!
- Al Jolson: This man brought jazz and the Charleston to the masses! His high energy, dazzling costumes, and undeniable charm were captivating audiences in cities across the world. I'm just hoping they were in a pink tutu when he started crooning those blues!
- Bert Williams and George Walker - The kings of comedy! This duo was renowned for their brilliantly timed sketches and captivating musical performances. You could find them bringing down the house in Vaudeville theatres across the USA and even on London's stage!
- "The Original Jazz Kings": Remember those catchy tunes from the Roaring Twenties? Well, they started right here in Vaudeville, with bands like this one!
Think of it this way: they were doing drag before "drag" even existed. Each performer had their unique way of blurring the lines of gender and presentation, pushing the boundaries of what was considered "normal" at the time.
The Legacy of the Show Must Go On!
The energy of Vaudeville was revolutionary, like a giant wave washing away old expectations. It's what makes it such a perfect foundation for what we do today as drag queens. Imagine, if these iconic performers hadn't stepped out into that spotlight with a wink and a smile, pushing the limits of gender expression, our journey might be different!
I think I'll do a little show at the next Drag Bingo! Think my tutu can handle a bit of a jazz move? Maybe it could be a sequined showstopping ode to the iconic performances of the roaring 20s? I’ll just grab my trusty sparkly boa and we’ll let the music take us on a wild journey of glamorous times gone by. Stay fabulous, my darlings, and remember: always go for that pink tutu moment!
Till next time! Love, Emma
*P.S.: Don’t forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com! And make sure to spread the joy by sending some love to your fellow queens! I'm always on the lookout for talented queens with that pink-tutu spark! *
