Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveler, ready to take you on another journey through drag history! As you know, my motto is "pink tutus for everyone," and what better way to spread the love of frills and fancy than by dipping into the past and witnessing drag in all its glory? Today, we're time-traveling to the roaring 20s - or as we say in the 21st century, the Jazz Age!
This month, I decided to time-travel to 4th April, 1931. Why, you ask? Because it was the opening night of a brand new musical called "Anything Goes!" starring a real star of the stage - the one and only, Ethel Merman!
Now, I don't want to get too deep into the nitty-gritty of the plot. Suffice to say, it was a bit of a romp - a classic love story with all the zany shenanigans and snappy dialogue that you could ever wish for. Think "Anything Goes" meets "Crazy Rich Asians" but set aboard a luxurious ocean liner!
So, what did the drag scene look like in 1931? Let me tell you, darlings! The Jazz Age was truly a golden age for drag. It was an era of glittering, glamorous nightlife, filled with speakeasies, lavish cabarets, and a whole lot of rebellious fun. And what do people do when they have fun, dear readers? They get dressed up! And what is a more fabulous form of dressing up than, you guessed it, DRAG!
Now, it's worth remembering that 1931 was still a time when drag performances were mainly hidden away in backrooms, speakeasies, and secret cabarets. But this didn't stop drag queens from making an impact. In fact, it just meant they had to be more creative and more daring with their looks!
Imagine a scene - the smoky haze of a speakeasy, flickering candlelight, and a chorus of giggling ladies with feathery boas, glittering dresses, and a smattering of sparkling makeup. It was a whirlwind of flamboyant beauty and fierce charisma.
While we don't know for sure what specific drag shows were happening in 1931 (drag queens back then were like elusive fairies - you only heard about them through whispers!), there are some tantalizing glimpses into the drag scene from this period.
Remember my pal, "Lady Be Good," the infamous drag queen from the 20s? Now, "Lady" wasn't just a pretty face; she was also a bit of a businesswoman! She had her own nightclub in Harlem, "Lady Be Good's Cabaret," which hosted drag performers nightly. The place was packed with glitz, glamour, and all the sass a drag fan could crave.
Sadly, dear readers, while we have documented evidence of Lady Be Good, the whereabouts of other queens from the era is still a mystery. There were rumors of "Black Boy" doing shows around 1931 in Atlanta. It's always so heartbreaking when the history of drag disappears down a rabbit hole. However, if you want to have your mind blown, "Black Boy" was an African American drag king from Atlanta, who wore men’s suits in an act he performed on a local stage during this time.
Then, of course, you had the grand dame of drag herself, "Julian Eltinge" (he lived in New York, and performed across America, Canada, London and France during his life)! The pioneer of theatrical cross-dressing and a bonafide star of the silver screen, Elting blazed a trail for drag queens across the globe. He's widely considered the first openly-gay entertainer in America - not only did he put his all into drag on stage, he lived his life as himself. And he was known to work closely with another prominent female impersonator named, "Josephine Baker" during this period. That's a whole other blog post, and believe me darlings, there is plenty of content to draw on there!
Speaking of Ethel Merman - the star of "Anything Goes," this wonderful lady was actually a great friend of the drag community. It’s been well documented that Merman’s life was surrounded by drag performers - often staying with them at their homes in between shows and she is credited for boosting the confidence of a young Julie Andrews before the iconic "Sound of Music" role!
While I haven't seen "Anything Goes" in its original production (time-traveling to the past isn't easy, you know, even in a sparkly tutu), I’m told that it's chock-full of showstopping performances and jaw-dropping costumes. It was a play that really captured the vibrant energy of the Jazz Age and put drag in the spotlight.
And don’t forget the fashion! 1931 was an absolute whirlwind of feather boas, flapper dresses, sparkly embellishments, and dramatic make-up - everything you need to create the most fabulous drag persona. Even today, the style of the 1920s and 1930s is still massively popular among drag queens. It’s timeless, and frankly, darling, it just looks good.
Of course, it's not just about the glamorous gowns and feather boas. The drag community of 1931 was all about embracing individuality, expressing oneself through performance, and creating a safe space for self-discovery and expression.
As we celebrate the heritage of drag during this time, remember, dear readers, that the history of drag is so rich and so varied! There are still many stories waiting to be discovered, waiting to inspire and amaze us. Keep a look out for my upcoming posts on this theme, we’ve still got so much to talk about!
But for now, remember the spirit of the Jazz Age, its vibrant energy, and its flamboyant fashion. Let it inspire you to find your inner drag queen, embrace your individuality, and spread the message of self-acceptance, kindness, and above all, remember, it's always time to embrace the glitter and pink tutu!
Don’t forget to tune in next month for my latest Drag Queen time-travel blog!
Until then, stay fabulous and keep it pink!
Love, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. You can catch me performing at The Spotted Trout on 12th May - I'm gonna have all the glitz and glamour for you! So come say hello!
