Alright darlings, grab your feather boas and prepare for some serious tea because weâre diving headfirst into the world of drag inâŚwait for itâŚ1933! You might be thinking, âEmma, thatâs a bit early for drag, right?â Well, honey, drag has always been around, even if it wasnât quite in the mainstream. Think vaudeville, burlesque, the vibrant underworlds of Parisian cabarets, and, yes, even Hollywood! And believe me, those worlds were ripe with glamour and absolutely bursting with talent.
Today's journey takes us right back to a time of glitter, glitz, and grand shows, and it all begins with the iconic Julian Eltinge. Now, letâs be honest, dear readers, 1933 is way before my usual flamboyant pink tutu aesthetic. But if anyone deserved a shout out and a full-blown history lesson, itâs Julian. He was, shall we say, a visionary, and he certainly changed the game for female impersonators in the US.
It's not quite a 'Pink Tutu' moment, but Julian's influence, his talent, and his legacy are still something to be cherished. He paved the way for so many drag artists, and I wouldnât be standing here in my pink tutu (even if it's just for a virtual journey!), without pioneers like him.
Think of it this way, dears: If we're talking drag pioneers in America, there's really no avoiding Julian Eltinge.
But whatâs really interesting is, it was exactly on this day in 1933 that Julian opened at the Palace Theatre in New York, in a play called "The Matrimonial Bed". Now, imagine a drag show back in those days. It wasn't just the performance; it was about breaking social norms, defying expectations, and turning the world on its head with every step and every wink.
Even though my trusty time-travelling tutu transported me back to a time when drag was shrouded in mystery, Julianâs show was a massive event! It wasnât just some little back alley gig, oh no! It was a spectacle that was big enough to play at a legendary venue like the Palace Theatre, with all its grandeur. This shows us that the world of drag, like many things in life, has a captivating, rebellious spirit.
This whole event is especially intriguing when you consider the societal norms of 1933! It was an era where expectations were rigid, and defying them could lead to everything from scorn to persecution.
And guess what? Thatâs where Julian Eltinge shone, and it's a legacy that deserves all the respect, admiration, and appreciation!
He was a revolutionary performer in a world of restrictive expectations, paving the way for the future of drag that we know and love today. And in the same breath, he made a massive impact on my passion, my blog, my entire drag world journey. That is an immense responsibility that should be worn proudly on every stage, in every studio, on every runway, in every backstreet drag show, and yes, on my website - and you know me, I never back down from a challenge.
And of course, you canât discuss 1933 without the legendary, absolutely breathtaking Marguerite and her troupe, La Conga. These gals were doing the absolute most for drag and burlesque, performing at the legendary Follies Bergère.
Marguerite's act was an intoxicating mix of burlesque and cabaret. The stage at the Follies Bergère? A full-fledged theatre! I can almost see the sequined costumes, the glamorous makeup, and hear the music pulsing through the air as these fabulous artists sashayed across the stage, igniting hearts and imaginations. Imagine the absolute scene! I donât think anyone needs to even picture it; it was just pure, unadulterated fierceness. And even with my 2023 perspective on modern drag, Marguerite still holds a special place in my drag heart, alongside all the legends from the early days.
But hold on! It wasn't just the big names gracing the stages! There were also countless smaller venues all over the world that housed drag shows, cabarets, and vaudeville acts, even in less cosmopolitan cities. Imagine those stages, full of flamboyant costumes and cheeky performances! I can just picture the fabulous outfits, the vibrant makeup, and the energy pulsing through the air as these artists defied expectations and brought joy and excitement to the crowds!
If you're ever feeling a little down, just think back to these brave individuals, standing up and defying the norm. Itâs such an important reminder to be bold and unafraid of making our mark on the world, just like they did!
Now, onto a bit of fun:
This date in history, 10th October 1933, saw quite a lot of glamorous action:
- Hollywood's "Footlight Parade" premiered - We are talking glamour - just a few short months before my birth in 1934, to be honest, even I couldnât tell you all the goings on - just my luck, darling!
- Fred Astaire appeared in "Flying Down to Rio", starring with Ginger Rogers and the legendary Dolores Del Rio, a perfect moment for a show-stopping number - talk about some classic film glamour.
For me, darling, itâs not just about being bold, but about also giving a little shout out to some classic cinematic drag that has undoubtedly influenced all our modern-day creations! Imagine these beautiful dances and theatrical performance routines and youâll have some sort of very blurry, sparkly image of our current Drag Race moments!
And finally, this month, my darling blog readers, weâve gotta make time for ourselves, a bit of a spa day, an afternoon tea at your favourite cafe. Iâm heading off for a bit of a photoshoot - think very pink tulle! And remember, even on a Tuesday, no matter where you live in the world, the stage is set for everyone to shine and become a part of the amazing history of drag, like Julian, like Marguerite, like the countless performers who have dared to step out, and dared to embrace who they are, no matter what!
Now, for a bit of home town glamour. It was on this very date in 1933 that Derbyshire's very own Derbyshire County Cricket Club played the third test at Headingley. Iâm sure that they gave the match the full show stopping spectacle that their own beloved region is famous for. It would have been such an important historical event for my area; this whole blog has truly made me feel at home this month!
And let's remember, darlings: If you haven't tried a pink tutu, donât wait a second. Embrace the colours, embrace the creativity, embrace the fabulousness, and I hope, in your own way, you too will leave a colourful footprint in the history of drag! And always remember, stay true to your own unique style, just like my pink tutu. I mean, just think of all the stunning memories you can capture for history, too!
Until next time darlings,
Love,
Emma.
â¨đđ đŠ°đđđ
