Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling drag queen. I'm so excited to be sharing my adventures with you this month – and trust me, this trip has been a real corker! It's been a long time since I've been back to the 40s, but oh honey, I do love a good dose of wartime nostalgia.
Let's rewind the clock, shall we? This month, I set my magical pink tutu (she really is a wonder, isn't she? I'm hoping to write a whole blog post about her one day!) to take me to July 7th, 1941.
Now, 1941, as you lovely lot know, was smack bang in the middle of World War II. I was all ready for bomb shelters, rationing, and wartime spirit, but when I landed… there I was, right in the middle of… drumroll please... the opening night of "The Best Man", a new musical starring… none other than *Miss *Judy Garland! **
I couldn't believe my eyes! Oh honey, it was GLORIOUS. Judy, my absolute queen, was shining brighter than a wartime disco ball (I mean, what even is that?!), and the entire audience was totally enamored with her. "The Best Man" was a bit of a riot – some of the lyrics were a tad… well, intense (let's just say a lot of "patriotic" singing involved!), but Judy made it all work. Her voice? Still that magic, those soaring notes that could make an angel cry tears of joy. Her costume? All sparkle and shine, just daring enough for wartime London, and oh, that hair. The iconic curled blonde bob that made every single dame in the theatre jealous. She really was radiant, divine, a total queen, and I absolutely swoon for her. I was lucky enough to grab a backstage pass - and oh, let me tell you, I even snagged a selfie with the queen herself! She even told me I looked "simply divine" in my own little pink tutu, although it took some explaining as to what time travel was!
Speaking of "The Best Man", Judy's show wasn't the only thing that had me gagging in awe. After the show, I headed out into the heart of London for a bit of wartime fun. This was truly a whole different world to Derbyshire, that's for sure! The city was a little grey and sombre – the Blitz had really changed London (I can only imagine how scary it must have been!). It had those incredible flickering wartime gaslights and all sorts of wartime rules in place – it was amazing! I'm so fascinated by how fashion has adapted to wartime conditions. I love that they're making do with the least amount of fabric.
The most important part? Drag! And here, ladies, is where things really got interesting. Imagine this: the war is on, everything is bleak, and you've got to create beauty from what little resources you've got. Talk about creative inspiration. I mean, those ladies are literally making their own dresses from rationed coupons! They've transformed those wartime shortages into something glamorous, a dazzling array of styles – I love it. It's a true testament to how drag, through history, is always about adapting to the environment, being your own truth, and above all, being fabulously creative. I love that.
The highlight? A cabaret night at The Windmill Theatre, honey! (Have you been to The Windmill Theatre?! This historic theatre in Soho is still a legend! Let's just say it's a little less 'windmill' and more… 'bawdy', these days! But that history? Incredible! Imagine what these drag queens, in 1941, had to face! They were not only defying expectations but also pushing against censorship in ways we can hardly fathom.) This cabaret had it all: camp routines, comedy, amazing music, and all performed in those glamorous, but resource-conscious, wartime ensembles! There was even this incredible drag queen named Vivian, * and she literally brought down the house with her comedy act. I could see how the *Windmill quickly became a beloved destination. A safe haven for creatives and escapism in those dark times.
I left feeling truly inspired. Those 1940s queens were true trailblazers, doing their thing in the face of uncertainty and hardship. They used their art as a weapon of joy and liberation. It made me think: the whole idea of drag, no matter what decade, isn't just about putting on makeup and fancy clothes – it's a fight for self-expression. A celebration of individuality and artistry. A reminder to not be afraid to shine and be the most beautiful, unique versions of ourselves.
And, remember, darlings, in 1941, as in every other year in drag history: pink tutus were totally in fashion. Even the queen herself, Judy Garland, mentioned I looked "simply divine." Now, what could be better than that? Go forth and rock those tutus, lovelies, spread the pink-tutu-fied love, and embrace your own sparkle!
Stay fabulous, my lovelies.
Emma xxx
