Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! Itâs your favourite Derbyshire drag queen, Emma, back with another monthly instalment of my fabulous time-traveling adventures! Today, darlings, we're twirling back in time to 4th April 1946 â a date filled with tutues, tea, and (dare I say it) a little bit of trouble! As usual, I'm serving this historical journey in the most exquisite of ways â think fabulous feathered headpieces and a shocking pink tutu that would make a flamingo jealous.
But first, a little bit about the big olâ world outside of Pink-Tutu HQ!
Oh my darling, things have been busy, as always! It seems the drag world is bubbling over with excitement and this week I was invited to a show in Blackpool that was just phenomenal. The stage was alight with sparkle, there were feathers galore, and I'm telling you, those ladies were serving LOOKS. Speaking of serving looks, darling, let's talk outfits, because what's a time travel adventure without the right wardrobe? The newest collection from Vivienne Westwood, that is â shockingly fabulous, I'd say, with its bold patterns and statement cuts. You wouldn't catch me dead in a colour as dark as her clothes, but I can definitely admire the craftsmanship. Honestly, darlings, I can't stop myself â I have to dash out for a new, hot-pink number to add to my wardrobe before we start today's trip.
Anyway, back to 4th April, 1946, now â this is a date filled with some real glamour and intrigue, don't you know.
Imagine, if you will, London, 1946. The war has just ended, the air is still humming with the remnants of the bombs and bullets that once echoed across the streets, but there's a new buzz in the air. People are coming out of hiding, they're starting to reclaim their lives, and guess what? The cabaret scene is thriving.
Itâs a world of jazz clubs and smokey, candlelit speakeasies, with men in sharp suits and women with their hair pulled back in Victory Rolls, all waiting with bated breath for the latest show. You wouldn't find the glitter and gowns we know and love today, of course. Instead, think 1940s charm: elegant evening dresses, pearls and sequins, maybe a little bit of feather boas if you're feeling particularly glamorous. But you canât talk about cabaret in 1946 without mentioning âThe Windmill Theatre". That's right, darling, the Windmill - home of those iconic "Windmill Girls", who graced the stages in their oh-so-daring and almost-revealing costumes! These girls were fearless, trailblazers in the world of entertainment. Now, a little bit of âwindmillâ wouldnât go amiss in today's drag scene. I am picturing some incredible, feathery showgirls in giant tutues â oh darling, it would be sensational!
The Windmill's reputation for its racy performances is just a testament to the era, a glimpse into the freedom people were seeking, a need to forget the hardships and dive into the excitement. The world, like the Windmill, is starting to reclaim its spotlight, and with a little bit of glitter and a lot of courage, that's precisely where it'll remain.
So, imagine this, darlings, you're stepping into the smoky darkness of a cabaret, the jazz is pumping, a crowd roars with laughter at the sharp-tongued comedian. And then⌠enter a showstopping diva, complete with the most fabulous feathers you've ever seen! This, my dears, is exactly how I imagine the scene when I travelled to the world of cabaret in 1946. I made my grand entrance wearing a sparkling, vintage sequin gown with the most elaborate tulle skirt. I swear I felt a thousand twinkling lights dancing on my skin!
What did I find in this captivating era of glamour and liberation?
Well, let me tell you â my adventures in this world are quite memorable, darling, and let me tell you, I got my share of surprises, because sometimes the past doesnât always go the way you think it will! I arrived in a club in London, which shall remain nameless, because darling, there's never any point in stirring up a storm. You know how these time travelling adventures work, I didnât exactly arrive on a Wednesday afternoon with time to freshen up and get my act together, and anyway I was all dolled up in a dazzling silver sequins, feather adorned dress and a tutu the colour of the most precious candy floss, just a little bit sassy for 1946âs time! You might not think a flamboyant showstopper is such a dramatic difference but trust me darlings, there's a reason these âgirlsâ had to be so⌠understated, back then.
I'd spent the night practicing a glamorous âTwirl-O-Ramaâ, where I planned to throw those fancy dance moves at any unsuspecting 1940s crowds. The first number was a drag queen rendition of "My Heart Belongs to Daddy", but you should have seen the look on this girl's face when I turned up, ready to wow! They thought I wasâŚwell, strange to be fair, I thought they would love a little bit of my âEmma Glamourâ but all they could manage was âGoodness Me!â, as they pointed at my tutus with expressions that reminded me of a surprised pigeon on a window ledge! Oh, it was a hoot and half! My dance was a bit more modern, it felt a little bit too advanced for their style, but when they gave me a confused look I laughed at my misfortune, I always do love to add a dash of laughter, and maybe a little chaos to any occasion.
Even though some people were surprised by my "flamboyant" appearance, there were plenty of people in this world who understood the need for fabulousness. Some of the patrons, especially the gentlemen, found my outfit absolutely sensational. It seemed a few of them really admired my feather headdresses â who wouldnât!
Anyway, in this club, I soon realized there's so much more than just performance happening. The performers are the storytellers, but their stories are often influenced by the world surrounding them! I found this was a world where many women felt unseen, and needed to embrace their voices to help heal from the recent war. These courageous, daring entertainers gave them the bravery to be heard and let me tell you - it's one of the most beautiful, empowering things Iâve ever witnessed. I met the most stunning drag queens, dressed in classic, flawless 1940s style. This world, however different from my own, is as vibrant and dynamic and, yes, even campier than the one I came from, darlings! It shows that drag, in whatever form, is always a force for progress, a statement, a conversation.
Oh! While Iâm on the subject, I did manage to buy some stunning pieces, some really fantastic antique silver, pearls and I must have bought six different feather headdresses to try with my favourite tutu for my next big show, or should I say my next big show!
And, you know, one of the most fabulous things about this little trip? Itâs been an absolute joy to travel to another time, a time where people are making sense of the world after a turbulent time. It really makes you see that change, change that creates progress is not something to be feared - itâs to be celebrated! Thatâs the message, the lesson of drag and its incredible evolution over time.
Now, back to the big wide world!
Darlings, my schedule is packed. You know, performances, interviews, shopping - the usual whirlwind of a glamorous diva, but do join me for another Pink-Tutu time travel journey next month! Until then, may your tutus be fabulous, and your confidence shine brighter than a diamond.
See you next month, darlings!
XOXO, Emma
