Hello darlings!
It's your favourite Derbyshire drag queen, Emma, back with another fabulous voyage through the annals of drag history. Today's adventure finds us twirling back to 10th October, 1942, just a little while ago in the grand scheme of things, wouldn't you say? My darling pink tutu was positively shimmering as I popped through the temporal portal, ready to soak up the glamour of a time where WWII was in full swing, but drag was still thriving.
The first stop on this enchanting escapade? New York City! It was electrifying! Even amidst the wartime rationing, the spirit of drag was strong. I found myself swept away in a sea of feather boas and sequinned dresses at the Paradise Club on 54th street. This hidden gem of a venue had it all: captivating stage shows, scandalous routines, and a roaring energy that simply radiated. Picture a packed dance floor, throbbing music, and the most gorgeous queens rocking out in an explosion of sequins and feathers – a total whirlwind of fun! I was so taken by a particularly dazzling performance from a glamorous drag queen known as " Lady Divine. " She truly understood the art of a sassy side-eye, had moves that made the very floor shimmy, and brought the house down with a floor-length feather boa worthy of an avian runway queen. Honestly, I think she’s the first person who truly made me understand why this is called the Golden Age of Drag.
Just like that, I whipped through time to the other side of the Atlantic, landing with a twirl on the cobbled streets of London. Imagine my absolute delight to discover that, even in wartime Britain, there were secret, underground drag scenes brewing! You see, darlings, London's underground scene was a vibrant tapestry of hidden clubs and private performances, with a sense of freedom that was both exhilarating and poignant. I found myself, with a little bit of clandestine know-how, at The "Speakeasy Club". I mean, what a treasure! This fabulous venue, housed in an abandoned theatre, pulsated with music, joy, and enough camp to choke a peacock. I swear, every performance was like an underground musical! From glamorous cabaret acts, which I couldn't resist shimmying alongside, to cheeky musical comedy, it truly felt like a breath of fresh air, an antidote to the troubles of the day. My heart, and my tutu, were doing the samba, I tell you!
There I met a true icon, "Danny La Rue." You have to understand, this Queen was the ultimate charmer, a legend who even starred in Hollywood movies at the time. With his charisma, witty banter, and impeccable drag, he was literally changing how drag was perceived, challenging social norms with every shimmering step.
But my little journey didn't end there. Next, I flounced my way over to Hollywood, where I found myself in the midst of the most amazing theatrical scene imaginable. Drag, even at this early stage, was infiltrating film and entertainment, with groundbreaking acts like "The Golddiggers" putting on their dazzling, full-length, sequined, and bejewelled dresses to wow audiences on screen and stage. It was the perfect reminder of how powerful the allure of drag can be – how it breaks boundaries, brings joy, and makes you want to dress up and join the celebration of everything fabulous!
Now, of course, it wasn't all sequins and high-kicks. My time travelling tutu has a wicked good time telling these tales, but it’s also crucial to remember that 1942 was a time of global hardship. War was happening on multiple fronts, causing tremendous suffering across the globe. But even in the face of hardship, human resilience shone through, finding moments of joy, freedom, and self-expression in even the most unexpected places. Drag queens like "Lady Divine," Danny La Rue," and “The Golddiggers” truly gave us the perfect demonstration of this spirit, pushing the boundaries, and creating joy, even in the face of adversity.
And here's a little tidbit that may surprise you. Even though our drag history was brimming with amazing queens, the year 1942, didn’t see a lot of mainstream “drag" in terms of drag performances. That wasn’t to say drag wasn't happening - there was, as we discovered! It was just more underground, less visible, a form of self-expression, hidden from the watchful eyes of the wider world. This didn’t stop our queens from expressing themselves and serving serious looks. They were using creativity and innovation as their weapons to inspire and entertain! It goes to show, darling, that drag is more than just makeup and glitter; it’s about a force that can uplift and inspire, even in the toughest of times!
That, my darlings, is the real magic of drag history. These queens were the visionaries of a fabulous future for drag – one where sequins are always on point, attitudes are fiercer than ever, and tutus are always flying high.
Now, to give you a little dose of reality after our trip through time, my Derbyshire drag sisters are putting on an absolutely fabulous fundraising event next week at the "The Rainbow Corner Pub" – our local sanctuary for all things glitter and sass! I know there's a drag extravaganza in the works and everyone's gearing up to put on a fabulous performance. I’m definitely bringing out the hottest pink tutu, I'm going to bring down the house!
As always, darling, follow me on Pink-Tutu.com! Catch you next month with another adventure!
And please, always keep rocking that fabulous pink tutu!
XOXO,
Emma
