Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your monthly dose of fabulousness straight from the archives of drag history. I'm Emma, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveler, and this month we're taking a trip to May 5th, 1938!
Now, you might be thinking, 1938? Wasn't that just before the war? And you'd be absolutely right, my lovelies! It was a turbulent time, but even amidst global uncertainty, drag queens and kings were serving looks and making history.
Let's get right to it. My magic pink tutu (which, let me tell you, was particularly fabulous today – a shimmery pink with sequins that winked like a flirtatious eye!) took me to, wait for it… New York City!
Imagine a city pulsing with jazz and glamour, where nightclubs overflowed with stylish revelers and the aroma of champagne hung thick in the air. Yes, my dears, this is the era we're exploring – an age where drag blossomed in secret hideaways and speakeasies.
And you know what I found? A glorious secret tucked away in the back room of the Copacabana, a glamorous, smoke-filled club on East 60th Street. It wasn't just a show; it was a happening! They were performing "A Night At the Moulin Rouge," with a chorus line of glamorous performers dressed in fabulous, Parisian-inspired costumes. They danced like angels, their sequined costumes shimmering under the spotlight.
Oh, I must tell you, my darlings, the fabulousness of the drag performances was absolutely captivating. It was like watching a glamorous film unfolding before my very eyes. Each performer poured their heart and soul into their act, radiating confidence and joy. They were legends, pioneering drag queens paving the way for future generations of queens.
What made it even more incredible was the feeling of being part of a clandestine world. You see, drag back then was seen as scandalous, even dangerous. But it wasn't stopping these talented individuals from showcasing their art! They were performing in dimly lit bars and hidden backrooms, bringing a touch of fantasy to an otherwise ordinary world.
Speaking of hidden worlds, have you ever wondered what the drag scene in Europe was like in 1938? Now, we must remember, Europe was teetering on the edge of a terrible war. However, drag thrived in the underground – a world of secret cabarets and intimate salons.
Imagine strolling through the streets of Paris, where small venues hosted clandestine shows featuring daring costumes and bold performances. Think about the cafes of Vienna, their smoke-filled rooms filled with whispers of excitement, the sound of jazz blending with the hum of a secret world. It was during this time, the '30s, when legendary European drag queens like Miss Gaby and Baron von Bülow graced stages across the continent, their names whispered with reverence within the circles of cabaret.
But we weren't just confined to the dazzling nightlife of New York or the intriguing European scene. The magic of the pink tutu even took me to a humble theatre in a small Derbyshire town – much closer to my home! You might think, what's a small-town theatre got to offer? But even here, in this seemingly unassuming venue, there were glimpses of drag. The '30s witnessed the birth of music halls and variety shows, with drag performers stepping onto the stage alongside singers, comedians and other entertainers. The Derbyshire theatre saw acts with glamorous performers in full makeup, delivering lip-synced songs and routines that would make the audience roar with laughter.
My dears, what an exhilarating time travel adventure this has been!
We've discovered that even in challenging times, drag queens and kings brought laughter, excitement, and joy into people's lives. They carved a space for themselves, embracing their creativity and passion.
This, my darlings, is the legacy of drag. It is a story of courage, creativity, and self-expression. And that is why I'm dedicated to keeping this story alive. We all need a touch of pink tutu magic in our lives! It is the force that fuels our self-expression, celebrates diversity, and, most importantly, reminds us to never take ourselves too seriously.
And on that note, let's give a big, fabulous shoutout to all those pioneering drag performers, from the glittering stages of New York to the intimate salons of Vienna and the humble theatre stages of Derbyshire!
Until next month, darlings. Keep it fabulously pink! 💖✨
Emma xx
