Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another jaunt through the history of fabulousness! This month, we're whisking ourselves back to 1940, the year of wartime glamour and a blossoming drag scene!
Grab your feather boas and let's dive into the glitter and glamour, shall we?
As usual, my pink time travelling tutu shimmered like a disco ball in a monsoon, and poof! I found myself smack dab in the middle of London's West End on January 1st, 1940. Even the war couldn't dim the twinkling lights of the theatres!
Now, I know what you're thinking: wartime London, how could there be drag shows? Well, darling, wartime meant extra need for escapism and a dash of glitter! Think of it as a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down... only the medicine was an air raid and the sugar was a camp show with feathered headpieces the size of small cars.
I, naturally, being a fabulous soul who loves nothing more than a good performance, spent the day hopping between the many dazzling venues popping up across the city. There was a charming, tucked-away, cabaret show called "The Club", where some seriously talented drag performers were dishing out dazzling renditions of all the current chart hits. Now, this was just a snapshot of London's bustling drag scene - imagine a bustling network of pubs, clubs, and hidden back rooms, all buzzing with glitz and gags! Imagine all the stunning dresses, feathered headpieces and bejeweled heels! My fellow drag sisters, those daring and defiant performers, were providing an oasis of humour and light in an otherwise harsh time!
Of course, being in London, we must swing by the legendary Windmill Theatre. Oh, darling, the Windmill was something special! It's become so synonymous with drag history, they even created a "Dragathon" for the 90th Anniversary in 2021. Imagine, dancing on a stage with a curtain that magically vanished. It was an exciting blend of theatrical genius and bawdy fun! They weren't even put off by the wartime. Oh no! They carried on through it all, entertaining the troops with a constant rotation of brilliant entertainers. It just proves to you darlings: the show must go on!
Remember, darling, drag history isn't just about grand productions and fancy ballrooms, it's about the little things, too! Like how those daring drag queens used to gather in secret, tucked away in pub back rooms, whispering stories and laughter amongst themselves. And how they used those clandestine performances as a chance to celebrate, to escape, and most importantly, to find their community. I could only imagine the joy that these brave, hilarious souls shared with one another. It made me feel truly connected to their spirit, these pioneers of our fabulous world.
This trip wasn't just about dazzling London. I also found myself in America on the same date. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon the first performance by the ever-so-fabulous "The Drag Queens", an incredibly unique all-female troupe. You see, back then, you just wouldn't have seen an all-female troupe, especially in 1940. They really pushed the boundaries and put the word "Drag" front and centre. Now, that’s what I call bravery, darlings! It wasn't about conforming; it was about being bold, celebrating yourself, and most importantly, showing the world who you really are!
And that, darlings, is what drag has always been about: It's a platform for self-expression, a canvas for creativity, and a beautiful declaration of your fabulousness! And that’s what we're here to celebrate in our fabulous Pink Tutu Blog. Remember, darlings, this is just a little peek into 1940. There are a thousand and one stories, whispered across the decades, waiting to be unearthed, just like this! So go on, explore the hidden histories! Dive into those archive corners and pull out the dusty costumes. There is magic waiting for you, just like there is in this 1940 snapshot, full of vibrant colour, stunning dresses and truly magnificent human spirit. It's a journey that only gets more vibrant and captivating with every decade that passes. So put on your best tutu, get your sequins gleaming, and let's keep sharing those fabulous stories with the world!
Until next month, keep twirling! ✨💖
