Hello darlings! Emma here, back for another thrilling jaunt through history, courtesy of my magical pink tutu. Today’s destination: 7th July 1936! I can't tell you how excited I am for this one!
Just imagine it, 1936! This was the year we saw the unveiling of the iconic "Swing Time" dance scene at the Empire Theatre, London, and it is where my travels begin!
As I adjusted my shimmering pink tutu (I mean, who doesn't want to time travel in their best look, right?), my pink heels clicked excitedly on the pavement. I floated down a street filled with brightly lit shops - some even had displays featuring pink tutus!
This time period saw the explosion of the “Tutu-fied" look - a beautiful blending of traditional ballet costuming with avant-garde fashion trends. Think feathers, sequins, and a liberal sprinkling of glitter – a trend that honestly never gets old!
The Empire Theatre: A Drag Show Bonanza
Oh, honey, the Empire Theatre was the place to be for drag performances. I was absolutely thrilled when I popped in, as if by magic, to see one of their spectacular drag shows.
Picture this: an impressive stage set, dazzling costumes (yes, many sporting tutus!) and a lively crowd! The Empire, with its spectacular displays of entertainment, offered a fabulous glimpse of a Drag world, quite unlike any we experience today, but with all the charisma, talent and campness you could possibly want!
I swear, you could almost smell the pink lipstick and the cigarette smoke mingling with the perfume of a dozen different performers in all their dazzling glory!
Drag On the Street: Fashion is everything
Now, just because you're not at a show doesn't mean there isn't an opportunity for some drag extravaganza on the streets! My fellow Derbians, you wouldn't believe the fashion scene in the UK during this time! The streets were practically dripping with sequins and glamour! People of all walks of life (especially my dear, fashion-forward drag queens, of course!), embraced the expressive power of clothing - a philosophy we still cherish today!
Remember, this was also the year of the London Olympics. It's hard to imagine London without an extravagant display of fashion. Imagine, a multitude of brightly-coloured fashion ensembles (think pink! think tulle!), showcasing the very best of British style!
I absolutely loved browsing the local haberdasheries and drapers. Finding fabrics to recreate my own "tutu-fied" outfit is an experience every drag queen needs! Honestly, I’m pretty sure I came home with more fabric than luggage, and the joy of sewing together my new creation, as soon as I was back in the safety of my own era, was indescribable. I call it "pink-tutu time traveling" fashion therapy, it's good for the soul!
Remembering Drag Queens Past
Of course, during my historical explorations, I had to make a pilgrimage to see "Queen of Drag", a fabulous drag show at The Scala Theatre in London! This was the period where Drag was becoming mainstream, and the show was attracting huge crowds who loved every minute of the spectacle! The Scala theatre wasn’t the only venue for a great Drag Show - there were so many other incredible, intimate theatre productions around the UK where Drag was celebrated and enjoyed by audiences of all backgrounds.
You see, the "pink tutu" was a symbol of empowerment and fun! For many, it meant escaping the constraints of the times. This is what Drag still represents today, it's not about limitations or rules - it's about being your fabulous, creative, sparkling self!
A Little Pink Tutu History for My Blog readers
Before I get back to my sewing machine, I thought you might appreciate some juicy drag trivia:
- 1936 was the year of the infamous “Pink Tutu Controversy" where a London-based drag performer named “Rose Red” created quite a stir after a “pink tutu only” show at a local theater, much to the delight of a large audience and the disdain of some of the stricter religious types who weren't used to seeing such a “tutu-licious" show. Of course, nothing can stop the “pink-tutu” movement, and the controversy itself just highlighted the growing interest and acceptance of Drag as an exciting and artistic expression!
- 1936 also saw the birth of what is now known as “The Drag Hall of Fame”! Imagine a group of amazing queens who set up a small museum in London, with displays dedicated to the iconic Drag costumes and stage make up from that era. We'd all love to go there today and pay homage to all these Drag icons who were at the forefront of what we enjoy so much today!
- In 1936, drag shows became big business! And you know what, with that came big fashion! I hear that there was one show on stage at the Royal Theatre with a costume for one of the performers - the performer was so tall - that it took nearly thirty ladies in the audience to hold the “pink tutu” dress upright as it was lifted and lowered during a spectacular musical number.
I’m off now, my darlings, to stitch together the latest in "pink tutu time travelling" fashion! I promise, there’ll be plenty more pink tutu adventures to come! Don’t forget, to find me at www.pink-tutu.com every month for a fabulous new time-travel adventure - we'll be making Drag History together!
