Darlings! Hello, hello, hello from yours truly, Emma! Today's post is about a real corker - a trip back in time to a date that truly makes me gag for some history: the 10th of October, 1930!
Oh, how I love time travel! You can just hop in your time-travelling tutu and poof, youâre there, surrounded by a world you only dreamed of. This time, my time-traveling pink tutu (it truly is a magical garment) transported me right to the heart of 1930s glamour, baby.
As always, the world of drag is full of delights on this day! It's all about finding the glamour wherever you can. Back in 1930, there was so much for me to enjoy! The Roaring Twenties had settled a bit, but the flamboyant, outlandish world of drag still shone brightly.
Imagine, darling! Walking the streets of London and spotting a queen, feathers and all, in her full regalia! Think, "Ladies and Gents" painted in big bold lettering on a vaudeville poster! I love those old-timey drag posters - that fabulous font just screams glamour, wouldn't you say?
As my dear olâ Gran used to say, "the more feathers, the merrier", and 1930s drag shows were absolutely bursting with the fluffiest plumes, sequins, and beaded dresses that were like pure glitterbombs exploding across a stage! And don't get me started on the costumes â imagine tutus that wouldn't be out of place on the Royal Ballet stage! Just beautiful, all of it.
On my trip back in time, I discovered the London Hippodrome was absolutely bustling with drag shows. "The Queenâs Revels" starring "Madame LaRue" was selling out night after night, and "The Follies" was on a roaring success at the Alhambra Theatre! Now, those names just scream history, wouldnât you say?
It seems 1930 was a year of amazing variety and big, flamboyant characters on stage. We had âMiss Frankie" and "Mimi" gracing the Palace Theatre stage. Mimi's âThe Devilâs Ownâ had the audience enthralled.
Can you just imagine seeing these fabulous shows? Seeing the looks, hearing the stories of their acts, and witnessing how these daring performers brought the audience to its feet? You just canât beat a night out, and those women - I call them women, it feels right - had a heck of a good time putting on those shows, night after night, for audiences mesmerized by the glittering, dramatic, daring world of drag!
For a girl who lives for a good time and knows what real entertainment is about, I knew just the spot to get my 1930s drag fill.
Now, this was something else, darlings! Letâs talk fashion. My goodness, the gowns. Oh, to have those incredible vintage dresses in my own wardrobe, the craftsmanship, the jewels, and those stunning fabrics! One little number that really took my breath away was a shimmering silk dress with a dazzling geometric print that a queen was wearing outside the Hippodrome. I need to have that in my closet, honestly!
Even my love for tutus canât help me not to gush over the dressâs elegant lines, darling. Those designers - truly geniuses. I do love a good silhouette, especially when a little extra something, a bit of bling, and a splash of feather and some extra sparkles make a look just truly stunning! Itâs just something about how drag puts that extra touch in those details, a true magic only the queens can conjure up!
But oh, my darlings, I was also in London, and no trip would be complete without shopping, and some shopping I did!
It is 1930, so imagine walking past beautiful window displays on Oxford Street and taking in the fashions in all their glory. I felt a little like Cinderella with her glass slippers in that little world of clothes and shoes. Those stylish hats with veils that sat perfectly atop ladiesâ heads. Talk about fashion inspiration! It was just all so gloriously, glamorous and feminine.
And that was the magic of drag, too - finding beauty, taking the best and boldest parts of what we see, what we love and using that inspiration to create something stunning! The fabulous, dramatic performances - and those costumes, honey, it is just so much fun, wouldnât you agree?
I ended the night enjoying an amazing drag show, laughing along with the audience, and relishing in that beautiful old-world energy. That's the thing about 1930s drag, darlings - it had a warmth, an energy that just resonated with everyone. Even if the show went on long past midnight, they still laughed, cheered, and went home full of laughter and good cheer.
In conclusion, my time in 1930 reminded me once again why I love my time-traveling pink tutu so much! Being a part of this colourful, dynamic period really showed me the evolution of drag. Thereâs something absolutely remarkable about watching these amazing artists find their voice, push their boundaries and bring beauty and entertainment to the world.
You just canât stop a good drag show. So, my little lovelies, stay bold, keep your eye out for all the magic life throws at you, and never be afraid to let your true colours shine! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to whip up some homemade strawberry trifle to go with this fabulous blog post!
Catch you later, my dears, and remember: keep it pink and keep it fab!
