Hello, darlings! It's your favourite Derbyshire-born pink tutu enthusiast, Emma, back again with another sizzling blast from the past. This time, we're jetting back to the fabulously fabulous 1957!
It was April, darlings, and my oh my, this pink tutu-clad time traveller was about to witness history, and boy, was it a show!
The weather in my favourite time travelling tutu was divine. A bit nippy in the morning, but you know me, I always pack a little bolero for those chilly spells. Speaking of packing, I took with me a few essentials: my fabulous pink sequin fan (a must for any queen who wishes to truly make a splash!), a shimmering handbag filled with vintage lipstick and glitter, and of course, my trusty, never-too-shiny ballet shoes! You just can’t wear these around a city without looking fabulous.
As I always say, darlings, my main mission in life is to bring joy to the world and make everyone wear a pink tutu. So, I arrived in the big city of London on April 4th, 1957, to explore the vibrant world of drag. Remember, 1957 was a time when the world of drag was very different – it was all about sneaking a peek behind the velvet curtain at the 'gentlemen's clubs'.
The Forbidden Fruit: Drag in 1957Now, picture this. The streets were abuzz with the sounds of London life – the rumble of double-decker buses, the cheery cries of newsboys, and the rhythmic clacking of heels on the cobblestones.
At the back of bustling theatres, in smoky smoky corners of dingy pubs, the real show was happening. Secret speakeasies and cabaret bars whispered tales of drag, an exciting secret world.
It was daring, darlings, like a fabulous secret, a delicious, hidden morsel of fabulousness. Drag queens in 1957 had to be extra cautious and always discreet about their art form, often performing under the cover of darkness and behind closed doors.
A Little Tea and Tales with the "Clandestine Divas"I, Emma in my time-travelling tutu, knew exactly where to go to find a touch of drag magic. You wouldn't find it plastered across every billboard like today, so a little local intel was key.
As I sipped my tea at a tea shop on Regent Street (it’s quite fashionable and quite fancy for tea in London), I bumped into an adorable drag queen named "Molly." A very charming chap with a brilliant laugh, she showed me the ropes.
"Now honey," Molly chuckled, in that sweet voice that would melt your heart, "You gotta watch your step when it comes to drag back in '57. It’s more about keeping a low profile than walking down Oxford Street in full-fledged regalia."
My ears were like satellite dishes, soaking in every delicious tidbit of wisdom.
The Forbidden Fun: "Club '57""But darlings," Molly whispered, a glint in her eyes, "there are those secret gems! Places like the 'Club '57,' the hottest new spot to experience the spectacle of the ladies!"
Oh my! This was it. This was where I was going to be introduced to 1957’s hidden wonders of drag! With Molly's tip-offs, I was well on my way.
The Club '57 looked like your average establishment - discreet and demure, almost like a plain grey box from the outside. You just couldn’t judge a book by its cover! And then, with a hushed whisper, the bouncer ushered me into a world of glittering surprises.
The dim lighting was sultry and seductive, the air thick with cigarette smoke and hushed voices. It was like a world from a film noir, a stylish clandestine world filled with mysterious figures and scandalous laughter.
I watched, mesmerized, as a bevy of exquisite creatures - some with wigs so high they nearly kissed the ceiling and gowns that seemed to flow like the River Thames, twirled, shimmied, and strutted across a small stage.
Oh my, they were fabulous! The ladies of the ‘Club ‘57’ made magic, transforming the small stage into a shimmering wonderland. The laughter was as intoxicating as the finest champagne.
Pink Tutus and “The Dance of the Rose”And then it happened. The lights dimmed, the music swelled, and the spotlights hit a stage, shimmering and glowing. And out, from a cloud of glitter and shimmering tulle, emerged... A pink tutu!
Darling, imagine my excitement, as this was no ordinary tutu. It was as bright as the cherry blossom, just like my time-travelling tutu. A dancer, graceful like a swan on a silken pond, took the stage in this beautiful pink confection.
Her name, I heard whispered, was “The Rose.” And the way she moved, darlings! The way she spun, with that shimmering, voluminous tutu. It was the perfect visual symphony.
Her routine was a a balletic wonderland - a tableau of grace, elegance, and dazzling moves, infused with just a touch of cheeky, sexy fun! You could feel the joy and the passion radiating from her.
With her pink tutu twirling like a tiny hurricane of romance, she captured the attention of the entire club, hearts swaying and souls swaying with the music and the movement.
Darling, this was the magic I was waiting for! This pink-tutu moment solidified what I believe: that every era holds beauty in its unique fashion, especially in its drag.
This was the true secret that made my pink heart happy. It was the joy of a shared experience, a hidden delight revealed to a few. And those who were fortunate enough to share the spectacle, could truly understand that drag, in every time, in every corner of the globe, is a vibrant language of love, creativity and joyful defiance!
From "The Rose" to Your WardrobeSo, you see, darlings, even in the 1950s, with all its conservative vibes, the spark of drag burned brightly!
Don't worry if you are feeling the urge to express yourself in all your shimmering, glorious pink tutu-ness. Go for it, darlings! Don't be afraid to unleash your inner "Rose." It’s the only way we’ll all truly be living the dream in a pink tutu-ful world!
Oh, I can't wait to show you all the fabulous finds that await in the next time-travelling adventures. Don’t miss my next blog on Pink-Tutu.com – where we'll be journeying to... well, that’s top secret until next month, but just know you won't want to miss it, darlings.
Love and pink tutus,
Emma.
