Hello, my darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome back to another fabulous journey through the fascinating history of drag! It's been a month since our last escapade, but let me tell you, I've been busy, darling.
This time, I'm whisked away to a very significant date - July 7th, 1944. You see, dears, while you might be thinking about wartime, well, darling, so was I. But I'm not just a simple history buff. No, no, no! I'm looking for the echoes of drag, the shimmering whispers of the fabulous in the midst of it all.
And where does my magical, sparkly, pink tutu take me? Why, it brings me straight to the doorstep of the American Theatre Wing, a darling institution set up in New York to boost morale during wartime. Now, this wasn't just a drab charity, darling! They had musicals. Productions. And the American Theatre Wing? They hosted them in a huge variety of places. You'd think they had a magical pink tutu themselves!
The stage, a glorious explosion of glamour and theatricality! Can you even imagine it? They did have to make concessions during wartime, of course. The fabrics were a bit more humble than usual, but dear, it’s amazing what one can do with a touch of panache! A true queen never lets material affect their flair, darling!
They held performances on stage in some amazing venues! Picture this, my dears, a rooftop theatre! Imagine all those shimmering lights, that gorgeous silhouette against the cityscape! A dramatic backdrop, darling! You’re almost reminded of a drag queen, making her big entrance – a true showstopper, a true queen!
While wartime definitely changed how they produced things, the essence remained the same. We still find drag shining through. Think of the transformative power of theatre, and then you add in the beautiful, fantastical world of drag.
My dear, that was the time. Now, on the 7th of July, 1944, the theatre world was a buzz. You can’t forget the brilliant The National Company of "Oklahoma!" – it's touring across the States. Remember "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," which is a musical set during the era of my very own childhood.
And I can't talk about that day without mentioning a show which became a true legend – "One Touch of Venus," playing at the 46th Street Theatre. Can you believe that even the play’s plotline involves disguises and cross-dressing? Isn't that simply marvelous?! The ultimate nod to drag history, right in our faces! Imagine how thrilled our drag queen forefathers and mothers must have been! I can’t believe this day didn't feature any more explicit mentions of drag. But dear, sometimes even just a hint of what we could be is the biggest excitement.
Oh, darling, what would I be without my dear, pink, time-travelling tutu? I find myself completely obsessed by the beauty of 1944’s world.
Did I tell you? There were wartime fashion shows! The biggest designer houses held fabulous shows! And, even though they may not be completely “drag,” darling, can’t you just picture a showgirl strutting down that runway, adorned in the latest creations?! Think shimmering satin, stunning embellishments… a true tribute to drag style!
But darling, I'm just starting! Because when I arrived in 1944, you know what I noticed? I found myself with a great fashion mission. A vision so incredible, my dears, even my dear old Grandma would be happy. Because they are going crazy for Tutus. Pink Tutus, to be precise! Can you even believe this? 1944. The era of wartime. The height of the glorious pin-up girl and I’m in a PINK TUTU, being adored by everyone.
Think, dears, all that pink - an antidote to the shades of war! This is where I’m getting to my very favourite part of this particular trip, a very specific story, a special one for you, my dearest blog followers.
It is said that in 1944, there was a group of ladies called The Merry-Go-Round. This name, darlings, this is simply divine. And they wore bright colours, think shimmering chiffons and silk!
And, in the midst of this magnificent spectacle, one particularly vibrant outfit was making waves – A PINK TUTU. I mean, it wasn't a precise tutu as you might imagine, darlings, but the vibe? Absolutely heavenly. The pink, the dancing, the whole, I can't believe what's happening!, was right up my alley! Imagine this: It wasn’t on stage. It wasn’t in a musical or a production. It was in the streets!
My dear, The Merry-Go-Round, they didn't just have one pink tutu – they had a whole chorus line of them! Imagine, my dear, what I felt. Imagine being me, a pink tutu enthusiast with this vision of a dream happening all around me! It had a huge impact, and not just for the colour!
Can you see where I’m going with this, dears? Wartime pink tutus in the street?! It’s a metaphor, darling, for drag, isn't it? In those war years, it was a symbol of joy.
My dearest, the fashion didn't just stay in the war zone. We’re talking about fashion inspiration right here, darling! It was coming straight into the heart of the war years, shining as bright as ever!
And darling, in that vibrant display of PINK TUTU magnificence, that was drag, in the truest sense of the word. They weren’t performing on stage. They were taking it onto the streets, and they dared to be different. Just as we do. They were shining in the darkness, and making a statement, saying: “We’re here. And we’re not afraid to be flamboyant!"
And this, my darlings, is exactly how I’m hoping you’re taking this post: a reminder to dare to shine in your own way. That's my advice. It's one I always follow when travelling in my pink tutu. Never be afraid to shine, darling, to dress as vibrantly as you want. And that means, in a world which is so drab… we need you in your pink tutu!
But remember, my darlings, our story is just beginning - every month, we travel back through history in this pink tutu. We search for more moments that embody the dazzling spirit of drag. Because it’s never gone away! Just look at the amazing stars of today! Think about Miss Fame, who says, “I see myself in so many historical drag queens.” She said that in 2015. We've been there all along.
Come join me next time, as we embark on yet another fabulous, historical journey! Until then, may your every day be a sparkling drag extravaganza, my dears!
Don't forget, the world of drag is waiting to be explored, and all you need is a sprinkle of confidence and a whole lot of Pink Tutu love!
And, of course, make sure to check out the Pink Tutu Blog for all the latest news and exciting times we’ve traveled to!
Yours in glitter and fabulousness,
Emma.
