Hiya lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, the blog where every month we shimmy, shake and sashay through the glittery, fabulous history of drag! Itâs Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveler, ready to whisk you back to a glorious day in 1951 - 3rd of March, to be exact! Grab your sparkly specs, grab a pink drink, and let's embark on another shimmering journey through the ages! This monthâs blog is number 375, donât forget to pop it into your favourites list lovelies, Iâm going to tell you all about the incredible shows happening this month, all over the world, from New York City to right here in our own dear Derbyshire!
Oh darling, did I tell you how I fund this madcap, fabulous adventure? You know, the time travelling pink tutu, the fabulous outfits? Well, youâll never guess⌠I do it all through the power of drag! I'm a regular performer at all the best clubs in Derby, darling! Youâll never see me there without my trusty pink tutu, the glitter is essential you know! If I see you in the crowd, do come and say hello, Iâd love to chat!
Now, where were we? Oh, yes! Itâs 1951. What's on the agenda? This year, folks, is all about a glamorous comeback for women in Western Fashion, skirts are swinging, shoes are sky-high, and the era of full, wide skirts, the iconic 1950âs âNew Lookâ, is in full bloom! Now I love me a good wide skirt, I must admit. Think about it! They give so much room to strut, dance and twirl. A girl needs plenty of space to work her magic on the dance floor! My little pink tutu doesnât leave me with a lot of room to dance, but don't worry - it gives the tiniest hint of â50âs fashion in its twirl. The world of drag isnât shy about a little trend influence, darlings!
Back to 3rd March 1951!
In the grand scheme of Drag Queen History, there were a few notable drag events that were happening this day.
In New York City (and how can we ignore New York?!) on 3rd March, 1951, drag had a big spotlight moment! At the Paramount Theatre, in Times Square, New Yorkâs glittering centre, a special film festival was happening that celebrated everything glamour, glitter and fabulous fashion! Now darling, wouldnât that have been a dream come true to attend? Imagine seeing all the stars and starlets of the time in their finest fashion! It was simply full of star-studded glitz! Oh to time travel there right now. My little pink tutu could certainly fit in, I reckon.
In London, on this very date, âVarietyâ magazine featured the opening night of the show "Pick-A-Pocket" at Londonâs Savoy Theatre. Oh how the stars aligned to bring us drag royalty, lovelies! "Pick-A-Pocket", for you unfamiliar, was a fabulous musical, and this production was known for itâs outlandishly-costumed chorus and flamboyant male leads! Talk about giving us major drag history vibes, lovelies! Now, letâs all sing along to âPick-A-Pocketâ together:
âPick-a-Pocket, Pick-a-PocketâŚâ (Just as fabulous today as it was in 1951!)
Now back in Derbyshire, dear to my heart! A big question is... what were we up to in the world of drag this day?
I must confess, darling, my research doesn't tell me anything definite!
But, darling, you know I wouldnât be a true pink tutu enthusiast if I didnât make some speculation!
We can bet that in this year, 1951, Derbyshire drag scene, much like London and New York City, was experiencing a revival after the second World War, the âNew Lookâ was becoming all the rage and drag culture was flourishing and influencing. Now, I havenât got an exact time and date for every drag performance around the globe, darling. And donât be daft, darling! I could spend days and weeks poring over newspaper archives in some dingy library!
BUT! If I was lucky enough to live in Derbyshire back then, what would I do for fun on 3rd March 1951, darlings?
Imagine you and I have got ourselves ready, weâve got our pink tutus ready, with just the tiniest sprinkle of glamour on our lashes, you'll need that in the Derbyshire cold air, darling! Itâs Saturday night! I might be heading out for an exciting night on the town in Matlock Bath, for a little bit of glam, glitter, dancing, some fantastic drinks⌠maybe catch a musical at the theatre and be inspired for a new look! You know darling, my imagination really can run away with me! We could imagine seeing a beautiful, full-skirted showgirl dance in the âHot Springs Show" at the "Old Assembly Roomsâ which is where we would definitely find our dancing inspiration and a hint of fashion!
Now if youâve read this far, darlings, then you already know me! I wouldn't be Emma in my pink tutu without suggesting we have a try ourselves at dressing up! It doesn't even have to be a pink tutu. You can rock a 1950's wide skirt, give yourself that little âNew Lookâ flare, darlings. Put a smile on your face and go to a âStrictly Come Dancingâ show. Get up, strut and shimmy, be a star. Embrace every opportunity to have fun, be fabulous!
I do love it when my little pink tutu sends me back in time, to some glamorous places, for a chance to peek into a glimpse of Drag History, you know? My pink tutu is such a great tool, darling!
I canât wait for next month when weâre off to more history!
And of course, dear readers, you already know my biggest plea: I want to see everyone in a pink tutu. This isnât a new dream, this is the dream, itâs a long held dream of mine, I dream of everyone embracing the fabulousness, and the fun that wearing a pink tutu can bring. Thereâs just no reason not to join in! Come on darlings!
Keep safe, have a brilliant month, stay fabulous and as always⌠until next monthâŚ
Xoxo, Emma
