Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, bringing you another month's worth of fabulous drag history. It's been a while, I've been absolutely swamped with gigs and sequins - life as a drag queen, am I right?! 💅 But now, I'm back to dish the tea on the happenings in the world of drag... in the past! This month, my magical pink tutu took me all the way back to the 11th of November, 1945, right after the end of World War II! Buckle up buttercups, because things were getting extra in the world of drag.
From The Blitz to the Ballroom: A New Dawn for Drag
I landed in London, darlings! The city was still a bit dusty and tired from the Blitz, but it had that post-war buzz about it. Everyone was ready to celebrate, to party, to put the trauma of the war behind them. And what better way to do it than with a drag show?! I sashayed straight into the heart of Soho, and oh my darlings, let me tell you... this place was teeming with drag. Every pub, every theatre, every basement, was alive with sequins and sass.
It felt like a whirlwind of gender bending and glitter! It wasn't all polished perfection though, darling. There was a grit, a raw energy to these performances that made it feel so authentic, so real. Drag queens were pushing boundaries, they were expressing themselves freely, and their talent was shining through, even amidst the remnants of a shattered city.
My Big Fat Pink Tutu Trip: An Iconic Moment in Drag History
Imagine, darlings, a time where being a drag queen meant a lot more than just performing at a club. It was a way of life! A way to make a living, to express yourself, to be your truest self. And let me tell you, these drag queens weren't messing about.
One of the most iconic performances I witnessed was at a little joint called The Two Bells. A group of incredibly talented ladies were doing a vaudeville show, complete with comedy skits, music and a lot of witty banter!
These performers were true artists. They didn't have the fancy make-up and elaborate costumes that we have today, but their sheer talent and performance energy made them legends! Their performances were about telling stories, creating characters, and using the stage as a platform to show the world who they were.
I even caught a glimpse of a stunning young drag queen named "Kiki". Now, this girl was something special. She was wearing a glamorous black sequined dress that would put even the most glamorous of today's queens to shame! The audacity, the charisma, the sheer brilliance... she could've given me a run for my money!
A World On The Cusp of Change: A New Era for Drag
It was a time of great change for the world, darling, and for drag. As the dust settled after the war, people craved entertainment. They wanted to laugh, they wanted to escape, and drag provided them with the perfect antidote to the post-war blues. Drag was about pushing boundaries, about embracing your own uniqueness and challenging the status quo.
While it was not as widely accepted as it is now, drag became a vibrant and popular part of London's cultural scene. I met the most amazing queens, who talked about a world where being yourself was still considered "unconventional" yet still so empowering. These drag queens were pioneers. They were breaking barriers, forging paths, and pushing for acceptance at every performance, every laugh, every stage light that bathed their face in the glow of their talent.
Drag On The Big Screen!
Talking about talent, darling! Can you believe the amount of incredible drag queens featured in films back then? And I'm not just talking about glamorous queens! One of the best drag films I caught while time traveling was "Night and Day". It had the hilarious Kay Thompson doing drag with a few of her girlfriends. She's one of my favourite icons for a reason. I watched this on repeat for what felt like eternity. What an icon!
Now, let's get back to the real world, darling. My time travel is limited for now. But that doesn't mean we can't honour the amazing legacy of the drag queens of 1945. So next time you see a drag show, don't just watch it - feel it. Let yourself get swept away by the performance, by the creativity, by the sheer joy of drag!
Don't forget, darling, it's all about that pink tutu life! It’s time to rock the pink! I’ll be here every month bringing you the most delicious stories from the wonderful world of drag history. Remember to follow my journey, it's pinklicious!
Til next time, darlings.
💋Emma www.pink-tutu.com
