Hiya darlings! Your favourite pink-clad, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, is back with another jaunt through the fabulous annals of drag history! Grab your feather boas, dust off your sequins, and let's take a whirl back to November 11th, 1938. This time, my pink tutu transported me to a time when the whispers of drag artistry were beginning to gain a little volume!
Now, don’t get me wrong, 1938 was no ballroom filled with dazzling drag, it was more like a private living room, intimate and quiet, where performers dared to showcase their art. This, darlings, is a journey into the underground, where we see the roots of drag sprouting, ready to bloom into the spectacular, inclusive spectacle it is today!
My arrival on the 11th brought me right to the heart of New York City. Imagine, if you will, the smoky backroom of a bustling speakeasy, dimly lit with amber lampshades casting flickering shadows across the room. The air thick with cigarette smoke and hushed conversations, but beneath it, a sense of something special. That’s where I found myself, nestled amidst a gaggle of the most curious souls, the pioneers of this captivating world.
And just as I was settling into a seat, the star of the show emerged, in full, glorious drag, wearing a crimson gown that would make even the most discerning fashionista swoon. I tell you, dear readers, this performer was a force to be reckoned with, captivating the audience with witty jokes, stunning performances and daring attire. Their secret code – whispered under the guise of a burlesque act, a clever and rebellious art form in that era – allowed their true brilliance to shine through, pushing boundaries, making people think, and making me just a little bit jealous, to be honest!
As I absorbed the energy of this intimate underground performance, my mind started to spin with the history I was surrounded by. I remembered my research on the evolution of drag, learning about early performers in Europe who pushed the boundaries of gender and performance. And it made me appreciate the daring spirit of those individuals who paved the way for drag as we know it today. Even back in 1938, amidst all the societal restrictions, there was a thirst for expression, a yearning to embrace all the vibrant shades of self.
Now, don’t think for a moment that this was just a New York phenomenon, darlings! As my magic pink tutu allowed me to time travel across the world, I also found myself in London, England, the very heart of my hometown, Derbyshire! But not in my little corner of the world – oh no, this was the West End, the centre of the theatrical scene. Imagine, the grand West End theaters with their glittering stage lights and ornate costumes. This era was buzzing with the talent of some of the greatest actors and performers, many who blended theatrical skills with what was considered at the time, daring, risqué, performance art – what we might even call “drag.” It was more akin to an evolution of theatre where the men performing would adopt different personas for their performance, adopting mannerisms and behaviours, even a dramatic new look, just for the stage. Think "Twelfth Night" but on steroids!
Think "Peter Pan" for a moment – I was amazed to find out that J. M. Barrie himself cast a male actor as the beloved Peter Pan. Now that's some dedication to the role! And of course, who could forget the “Follies”? Imagine beautiful women singing, dancing, and oozing with theatrical glitz and glamour! Back in the day, that world included men playing the roles, taking the performance and blending it with drag, so we weren't so far away from what we recognise now! It made me wonder, was the boundary line blurred a little more than people are prepared to admit? I had always known that Drag wasn’t a modern invention – we have history, it’s simply fascinating how our world evolved and our connection with the performance styles, they are intertwined with that drag world!
Speaking of the 1930s, that period was all about elegance, right? Think sleek bobs, bold lips, and exquisite ballgowns! This style influenced fashion within the drag scene in a major way, influencing drag outfits in a very similar fashion. And as I continued my tour of the world of 1938, I started to see a trend emerging, especially in the US, with cabaret dancers – their clothing started to resemble the theatrical styles of what we know as drag queens today, it really was fascinating. They embraced theatrical glitz and glamour, dressing in extravagant costumes and glittering jewellery, they truly pushed the boundaries of femininity.
Of course, none of this happened without its fair share of backlash, and while I may love my vibrant, pink tutus, back then they wouldn’t have even thought about a pink tutu, darlings, because of social conventions and restrictive cultural norms, you know. Some people saw the artistry as a threat, but I tell you, they just had no taste. Drag, back then and even now, was and is a form of expressing one’s individuality, and that is truly something to celebrate, don’t you think?
And guess what? I saw a trend emerging! Tutus! There were beautiful ballet and dancing numbers in both Broadway productions and in underground cabaret shows, it seemed to me like a big thing. While drag queens weren’t using the tutus yet – it would be years before they would get the “I-will-make-this-tutu-mine” attitude that has really blossomed into a core drag staple these days! I can just imagine all those fabulous, shimmering, pink, tutus in drag shows of the future! Perhaps my time travels will see this day, a pink-tutu clad drag show across the ages!
And let's not forget the vibrant world of Hollywood, darlings! From musicals to captivating drama films, Hollywood was bursting with colour, drama, and glamour. Stars like Katharine Hepburn, Joan Crawford, and Judy Garland ruled the silver screen and were real icons, influencing style and fashion across the globe. Their feminine styles would be incorporated into drag aesthetics years later and it’s fantastic to see how their daring looks, fashion and performances paved the way.
As I concluded my jaunt into November 11th 1938, my magic tutu carried me back to my own time. And it just goes to show you darlings, drag has always been around! You might not always see it, but the seeds were sown way back in the 1930s, pushing boundaries, pushing creativity and bringing together communities, just like we see it happening now, even more so! I really think it all began with those first whisperers, the brave souls that dared to step outside their social box, ready to spread joy, laughter, and love through their artistry, with all the sparkle they could muster.
So, until next month’s time travel adventure, keep your eyes open for a dash of the bold, daring fashion of the 1930s and a sprinkle of pink, for who knows, you might see a little bit of your very own tutu dreams in those gorgeous looks from that era! Stay fabulous, and never stop twirling!
