Darlings, how do you do? It's Emma, your Pink Tutu time traveller, here to take you on a grand, fabulous journey through time!
This month, my magical, pink tutu whisked me away to the year 1951, landing me right in the heart of June, a time buzzing with excitement, a time of vintage glamour, and a time ripe for a splash of Pink Tutu sparkle! Now, you know me - I can’t resist a good old fashioned dose of drag history, so naturally, I put on my detective hat (which, I must admit, had a fetching pink feather boa perched upon it) and went in search of all things drag.
Firstly, my lovelies, let’s paint a picture of the world back then. 1951! Imagine bustling London streets brimming with men in bowler hats, ladies with voluminous bouffants, and the tantalising aroma of fish and chips wafting through the air. And imagine all of this adorned with a delicate layer of wartime rationing! It was a world both stylish and frugal, which perhaps explains why my tutu got a lot of admiring glances - it was quite the spectacle, that’s for sure!
Now, drag itself was more or less a whisper in those days, particularly when compared to today’s flamboyant drag scenes. You won't be surprised to hear that my hunt for drag in its most literal sense was met with a bit of a brick wall - you see, 1951 was a different kettle of fish entirely. Drag was more or less hidden away in the underground scene.
But don’t fret my dears! I, your beloved pink tutu-wearing Time Traveller, wouldn’t let a bit of underground culture dampen my spirits! After a bit of digging (and a very stylish afternoon tea with some adorable older ladies at a quaint cafe!), I found what I was looking for - the history, albeit a little elusive. It was like finding a pearl in an oyster – precious and hidden!
See, back then, drag was more than just fabulous attire, it was a vehicle for artistic expression, an antidote to societal constraints. So instead of drag queens and kings in the modern sense, think cabaret and vaudeville performers who dared to play with gender boundaries, using performance and their own interpretations of femininity and masculinity to spice up their acts and tickle their audiences. These hidden stars were a key part of keeping the show running, especially within the vibrant cabaret scenes of the day.
While there weren’t full-fledged drag balls and massive LGBTQ+ events yet, what I did find were incredible, colourful cabarets, tucked away in London’s dimly lit, smoky-toned nightclubs and pubs. Just imagine the excitement! Imagine the glittering, glamorous costumes. The booming tunes and dazzling displays! Think Judy Garland performing 'Get Happy' - imagine that feeling multiplied by a thousand, darling!
The excitement and exuberance of these clandestine performances really were quite something! While they weren’t all strictly drag shows in our contemporary sense, their rebelliousness in those days truly resonated with me, making for an incredible journey into drag’s past.
To illustrate just how thrilling these performances must have been, here are some highlights from my 1951 adventures:
A Dash of Vaudeville:
Firstly, my sweet peas, imagine the fabulous sounds of a lively jazz club. That's where I found myself for a roaring night of vaudeville entertainment. You have to remember that during those times, vaudeville acts were like the stars of their generation, travelling the country performing in their most incredible shows!
As I took my place in the smoky atmosphere, I was mesmerised by a pair of cabaret performers who were taking centre stage and doing what they did best: bending genders and captivating their audiences. This duo, ‘The Blue Belles,’ wore exquisitely embellished sequined gowns and feather boas, their movements full of grace and wit. The room erupted in cheers as the ladies - or, let’s be honest, men performing a stunningly feminine act - performed their comedy routines and sang their hearts out!
Their performance wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There was a layer of wit and mockery directed towards gender norms and expectations. It’s a subtle but significant detail, darling, that makes these early acts revolutionary in their own right, laying the groundwork for drag's development and its powerful statement as we know it today.
A Parisian Escape:
Oh, and then there’s Paris! Paris has always held a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ when it comes to art and entertainment, and back then, it was absolutely no different. I made a swift trip across the English Channel, finding myself at a secret ‘cabaret-diner’ hidden deep within the heart of Montmartre. It was, my dears, a magical place.
A mix of jazz, blues and a cabaret-style theatrical setting – you see, even back then, there was always an innovative space for the world of drag. The performers here were all brimming with charisma and sass, their outfits – all sleek and glamorous, all very Hollywood - a stark contrast to the more buttoned-up style you’d see on the street.
There, under a dimmed red glow and with a stage littered with sequins and feathers, a cross-dressing cabaret artist performed under the name ‘Madame Rose’. Imagine a dapper chap in a black velvet suit, a cherry red hat, and makeup expertly designed to play with the feminine – this was what ‘Madame Rose’ was all about. I mean, talk about fierce, darling! It really was quite the theatrical marvel!
This performer’s act centered around their sassy take on gender roles – you know, the playful, mischievous poking fun at how society defined ‘men’ and ‘women.’ It was a gentle rebellion, if you will, in the midst of a restrictive era. And oh, how those present devoured each and every minute of it, captivated by a dose of something truly out of the ordinary!
And let’s not forget London’s drag gems:
Of course, London, my beloved home, wasn’t completely barren when it came to drag-inspired entertainment. Tucked away in Soho's many pubs, hidden under dimly lit staircases and within intimate settings, were drag performers – even though it was considered to be on the taboo side of things. These were brave artists with incredible personalities who embraced their art in these little clandestine havens.
I found a particularly dazzling gem on my quest to uncover the world of drag in 1951. It was tucked away in a little place known as The Mucky Duck. And just to clarify - it really was called The Mucky Duck, and it lived up to its name in its sheer charm and raucous fun! I'm telling you, darling, the excitement there was absolutely infectious, and you know, when I entered those hallowed halls, I just had a hunch I was on the verge of experiencing something truly special!
As the night wore on, I spotted a talented singer dressed as a woman with a dazzling costume made of shimmering silver fabric and adorned with large, sparkling beads. They owned the stage with the elegance of a star and delivered every note with captivating passion! The performer captivated everyone – even the most hard-nosed patrons of the pub seemed completely transfixed, their jaws slack, drinking in the energy of a night that dared to challenge the boundaries of ordinary pub entertainment!
That night, I really understood that, in 1951, the beauty of drag wasn’t all about its outlandishness or overt statements. Instead, it was this captivating ability to turn the ordinary into something truly extraordinary.
In those hidden corners, in these private spaces, I truly realised that drag in the 1950s was a testament to resilience and bravery, to pushing boundaries in a world unprepared for the full glory of a bold and daring artform!
And so, my darling dears, I leave you with this:
Though our 1951 trip was brief, it’s important to remember these pioneering performers who helped set the scene for the future of drag – drag as we know it, with its dazzling extravagance, artistic expressions and sheer joyful chaos. Every single step they took, even in those shadows, was a step forward. Every performance a spark igniting the journey for the drag queens, kings and all those who've graced us with their talents since.
Next month, I’ll whisk us away to another time - and, as always, I’ll be sharing my adventures and insights into drag’s history. Until then, my lovelies, let your hearts shine with all the glorious beauty of the past and the joy of knowing you have a place in drag’s wonderful history!
Don’t forget to pop by www.pink-tutu.com for a glimpse into my Time Travels! I can't wait to show you more! And as always, don't forget to embrace the spirit of Pink Tutu, and make sure you are getting your fabulous fashion fix and joining the world's biggest and best pink tutu movement! See you soon!
