Hello lovelies! Emma here, back with another fab-u-lous trip through the annals of drag history, courtesy of my trusty, time-travelling, oh-so-pink tutu. This month, darlings, we're whisking ourselves back to June 6th, 1933, a date brimming with glamour, theatricality, and the shimmering promise of… well, the promise of being fabulous, even in a time when the world wasn't as obsessed with the art of drag as it is now.
Before we dive into the gossip and glitz of this particular day in drag history, let's chat about funding. Yes, you heard right, darling! All these time-travelling adventures don’t pay for themselves (although if you’ve got any investment advice, let me know!). To fuel my trips, I’ve got to keep the crown jewels – my showgirl performances – sparkling. You can find me stomping the stage in the local Derbyshire pubs and theatres, and the applause always puts a pep in my step (and a shimmer in my eye shadow).
Anyway, enough about me! Let’s get back to 1933!
I’m already in a spin, darling, just imagining myself performing that night. I swear, my tutu was almost quivering with anticipation. Just as the last pink petal of the setting sun dipped behind the rooftops of Derbyshire, I landed, gently (well, as gently as a pink tutu can land), right outside a bustling theatre in New York City.
The Golden Era of Drag!
This period was just the beginning of what we now call “The Golden Age of Drag.” Now, 1933 wasn't exactly known for its flamboyant displays of drag (though it definitely had some!) because America, darling, was a bit more buttoned up back then. But it was a time when theatre became the breeding ground for drag icons – think the fabulous Julian Eltinge, and the incredible Sophie Tucker, who was considered one of the great cabaret singers and performers! Talk about divas, my dears. These were the queens of the time, making history on stage every single night.
Imagine, you arrive at the theatre to see this magnificent art form being created. Drag, darling, was so new and so fresh at the time, with its promise of something completely different. Now, this wasn’t just for those in the know, it was for everyone, from grand ladies to ordinary folk, to soak in the magic of what was being brought to the stage. This was theatre for the ages, darling!
I couldn’t resist. With a quick dash of rouge to my cheeks and a whirl of my pink tulle, I blended into the crowd – and boy oh boy, what a night!
On the Stage
One act I saw was a cabaret singer named Miss Libby Holman at the Cotton Club, a real jewel of the New York scene. Now, you have to understand, cabaret in those days was much more about a whole vibe, rather than just being about the singing, though Libby was one of the best in the business, a true diva! Think glittering costumes, elaborate makeup and those captivating stage lights, you just had to be there to feel it. This night, darling, this night was absolutely electric, just as every night was at the Cotton Club. This is the New York you see in black and white films.
Imagine, darling, being there, a mix of jazz, singing, a smattering of risque humour and dance – what more could a queen ask for? Oh, I almost forgot! Libby Holman’s outfit. Well, darling, you can imagine – just picture yourself: the glitter, the glamour, the diamonds! They don't call it the Golden Era for nothing. It’s enough to give me the shivers!
There were also musical revues playing on Broadway - with their amazing costumes and dancers who’d really steal the show with their elaborate outfits. Remember that old, old-school drag queen with a voice like an angel? They could really belt it out, you see. Now, these are the true masters, creating something unique with every move! Talk about a fashion inspiration – some of those costumes are works of art.
Glamour On The Street
New York in 1933? It was full of glittering possibilities, full of people expressing themselves, even outside the walls of the theatre, in a new kind of way. You might have seen a man with rouge on his cheeks walking down the street in the day - and everyone just said, “Oh, what a great outfit!” This was normal back then.
This was a different time. This was about how we create this persona, not about revealing a new persona. You see, what is normal one day may become normal a lifetime later. The great queens, who were out in the open for the world to see, were pioneers. Pioneers creating drag culture from scratch, taking each new performance as an opportunity to change how the world saw the power and beauty of what we are.
Imagine all this, the city buzzing with the anticipation of what's next – for some, the next dance move. It's fascinating how quickly the energy could change from the world outside, to the glamour of being a woman inside a theatre.
From Stage To Screen
It's funny to think about it – Hollywood films of the day, they all used a lot of the same glamorous aesthetics and costumes, often inspired by the Broadway musicals of that time. Even some of the big Hollywood actresses used a bit of drag techniques for their roles! Now this doesn’t mean that women of that time suddenly adopted drag, but what I do think was going on was a shift in fashion and attitudes toward what being beautiful or glamorous could mean. It's a bit like fashion repeating itself – but the beauty of drag, its unique, shimmering nature, its incredible spirit was starting to find its way through the cracks and really make a name for itself, and make its own impact.
Imagine all of these influences mingling with those pioneers on the stage, their bravery shining as they used their talent to pave the way for everyone else. Imagine how the artform of drag, so raw and powerful back then, began to trickle into all aspects of the world around it!
This was my very own peek into this particular day, but it’s really just the tip of the iceberg! Remember darlings, what we take for granted, that “regular thing we do,” has an extraordinary past, an untold history that leads us to the wonderful place drag finds itself in today, so full of freedom of expression and acceptance!
This time-travelling pink tutu is my vehicle, and I’m on a mission. And, to get my mission done, I want you to follow my example. Every one of you! It’s not about fashion, or about trends. It's about celebrating ourselves, every single one of us! That’s what makes me so proud to be part of drag. It is what makes me believe in every single person's ability to create a beautiful performance, to wear a fabulous tutu and just twirl!
So darling, as we leave behind 1933 and return to our time, remember, it all starts with one step, one twirl. Let’s all make sure everyone, even those living in a distant past, see our dazzling tutus! Don’t forget, you can find all the latest information on what's going on with drag on pink-tutu.com – and let me know in the comments what you think about today's journey!
Keep sparkling!
Emma xx
