Hello, my darlings! It's your favourite time-travelling, tutu-touting queen, Emma, here with a fresh dose of drag history for your Friday night! Get ready to unleash your inner fabulousness and let's step back in time to July 7th, 1932!
Now, you know I love a good trip down memory lane, and this particular date in history was nothing short of magnifique. As I twirled through the swirling fabric of time, my pink tutu catching the glittery dust of bygone eras, I found myself right smack bang in the middle of an absolute drag spectacle. I mean, darlings, you won't believe what was going on!
We’re taking it back to the era of glamour and glitz – the Roaring Twenties, a time when women were kicking down doors and demanding to be seen, and guess what? The world of drag was right there alongside them!
It was, to put it mildly, a right hot day in Derbyshire. The kind of hot day that has your face shining like a freshly waxed floor and you’re desperately looking for a fan! But not to be deterred by the heat, the town of Derby was bustling with excitement.
Right there, at the Hippodrome Theatre, it was all about "The Beauty of Variety," with "the biggest and brightest programme ever presented in Derby". Imagine, darlings, a grand old theatre bursting with the energy of live entertainment! You had your singing acts, your comedy acts, your acrobats and dancing - everything to entertain. But as the spotlight came up, and a little feather boa glittered under the stage light, it was an actual drag queen show that was turning heads, and the entire town was taking notice.
Imagine a dapper fella by the name of Danny Hill. This fella wasn't just doing drag; he was living it! And I’m not talking just any ol' drag, darlings! This fella was strutting the stage, a sight to behold, a spectacle of the times. Danny, and let me tell you, it took a big old dose of courage back in those days - took to the stage in an opulent show, with his trademark singing voice that mesmerised everyone. Talk about fabulous, he had it all - the charisma, the theatricality, and oh, darling, that smile could light up a thousand rhinestones. He had the whole audience roaring with laughter!
Now, as I was observing from my perfectly positioned perch - the perfect vantage point for my time travelling tutu! I noticed something else truly fab happening at the Hippodrome, aside from Danny's phenomenal performance. It was a time of incredible transformation - the evolution of drag from vaudeville and music halls, where the tradition began, was starting to develop a whole new identity, a modern flavour if you will.
Drag wasn’t confined to theatre halls anymore - you could see it blooming in all kinds of spaces! A lady named Jean Lawson was performing a dance routine - you wouldn't believe this - on a roller skate! The town was completely in awe, with this drag queen making it big, with everyone commenting on her fancy costumes and dazzling personality.
Honestly, darlings, this was the peak of the glamour, and they didn’t stop there! The “New Hippodrome Girls" put on an extraordinary musical performance – a real spectacle, truly. The energy was contagious, their beautiful voices filling the theatre with sheer delight. Can you picture it? Pink sparkly outfits, elaborate makeup, perfectly styled hair. And they absolutely rocked that stage, capturing hearts all across Derby, a beautiful display of talent and charisma.
The whole evening was a celebration of drag, a vibrant explosion of creative spirit and bold, bold expression. You know, these ladies, they weren't afraid to embrace the theatrical, to make a statement, to bring something extraordinary to life - they really showed what drag was all about.
But it wasn’t all about the big theatrical performances! Back in those days, street theatre was becoming popular, and let me tell you, these talented ladies embraced it all - bringing the theatre right onto the streets.
You'd have these sassy, stylish queens strutting their stuff, walking around town in these magnificent outfits, grabbing attention and giving a fantastic performance that wasn’t limited to the walls of a theatre. They were breaking boundaries, owning their spaces, and putting on a spectacle for everyone to enjoy!
Now, this 7th July 1932, wasn’t only about the grand spectacle - it was a testament to the tenacity and the creative spark of those pioneering queens - the women (and men!) of drag. They defied social norms, carved out a space for themselves in the public eye, and didn’t let anything hold them back.
And to top it all off? As the day started to wind down, you could feel that "the buzz" in the air, a magical sense of togetherness as folks chatted about the incredible show. They'd talk about those dancing, singing queens with glitter on their eyelids and diamonds on their outfits. This wasn't just theatre, darling - it was community, a shared experience, and I loved being right there, witnessing it all, my own pink tutu swirling in the atmosphere.
Of course, what would a time-travelling blog be without some fashion highlights!
As a huge fan of the ballet look, 1932 offered a real feast for the eyes! Think silky chiffon, lavish feathered boas, and dresses so sparkly they’d give a disco ball a run for its money. Oh, the creativity! And those headpieces! Absolutely dazzling, you wouldn't believe it!
Honestly, these ladies knew how to put on a show, darling, and even their outfits had a touch of glamour, with just a bit of camp that could make even the most fashionable Queen sigh with envy! The way these ladies were accessorizing their costumes with feather boas, jewels, sequins - it was truly iconic!
Now, back to my time-traveling duties! As I zipped back to the future, I was buzzing, feeling utterly inspired by this day's dose of history. It's important for us, darling, to look back and see how far drag has come.
This 7th July 1932 was not only an incredible reminder of the talent and strength of those brave souls who paved the way, but it was a beautiful reminder of how drag has always been about pushing boundaries, embracing diversity, and celebrating joy, love and just plain fun!
Remember to keep up your fashion game - every day is a chance to sparkle and shine! We all have the power to break boundaries, to own our spaces, and make this world a more colourful and glamorous place, and who better to do it than us, the queens of our times!
So go forth, my lovely drag enthusiasts, wear your colours with pride, and don't be afraid to rock those sequins! And please do remember that next time you are at your favourite drag show, take a moment to celebrate the incredible history that got us to where we are today.
See you all soon, for more tutu-riffic drag adventures!
Stay fab, stay fabulous, stay sparkly,
Your dearest time-travelling tutu queen,
Emma
xx
www.pink-tutu.com
