Darling, hello lovelies! Your girl Emma here, back with another instalment of "Emma's Time Travelling Tutu" adventures! This month, I'm taking you all the way back to 1960, and what a time it was, my dears! Buckle up your fishnets, and put on your best pink tutu - it's going to be a flamboyant ride!
October 10th 1960 - Where The Drag Began
This date is super special, darling, as it marks a real milestone in drag history. Imagine, if you will, a world before Instagram filters and contouring, a world where glitter was a rare treasure and a sparkly wig was the epitome of glamour! It's 10th October 1960, and we're standing outside the famous, the fabulous, The Village Gate in New York City, ready to see the iconic, the fabulous, "The Cockettes!"
The Cockettes, darling, were a legendary drag troupe, a kaleidoscopic blend of theatre, drag, performance art and, of course, dazzling fashion. This night was extra special because The Cockettes premiered their "Pearls Before Swine" performance, an absolutely legendary production which helped propel the Cockettes to the front lines of counterculture in New York and beyond!
Imagine, darling, a troupe of dazzlingly dressed performers, with a flair for the theatrical and a love of all things over the top, serving high-fashion with a dose of rebellion! The Cockettes truly pushed the boundaries of drag, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, blending theatre, comedy, drag, music, and political commentary, and always, always, pushing the limits of what was considered acceptable!
Their show wasn't all about the glitter and glamour either, lovelies. The Cockettes embraced themes of peace, love, and community, challenging social norms and championing queer identity through their outrageous performances and unforgettable style. This was a time when the drag scene was burgeoning, evolving into what we know and love today.
My Fabulous Journey to New York
As I landed in my magical, pink, time-travelling tutu, the air buzzed with the electricity of excitement. New York City in 1960 was something else! So much happening, so many stories brewing, and I was ready to take it all in, darlings!
Now, New York in 1960 wasn't exactly what you might imagine. There wasn't quite as much glitter on every street corner as today. You had to hunt for it, seek out the hidden gems of creativity, and embrace the artistry that bubbled up from every crevice of the city.
First things first, shopping! I needed to find myself a dazzlingly pink feather boa to match my sparkly pink tutu. After scouring Greenwich Village, a haven for artists and bohemians, I stumbled upon a tiny vintage shop crammed with feather boas, sequins, and outrageous hats. The owner, a fabulous drag queen herself, gave me the lowdown on the hottest spots in the city for drag performances and told me about The Cockettes! And wasn't it fate that their first show, "Pearls Before Swine" was happening that very night? Darling, fate was working in my favor, big time!
After all, how could a drag queen like myself resist witnessing the birth of such a monumental moment in drag history? And that is how I found myself backstage at The Village Gate, mesmerized by the energy and chaos of the performers, and feeling the thrill of seeing these fabulous pioneers of drag before my very own eyes!
Behind the Curtain of History
What a show it was, lovelies! The Cockettes were everything I had imagined and more. They oozed glamour and camp with every step they took, every feather they flung, and every quip they delivered! I was floored by their audacity, their confidence, and their commitment to blurring the lines between art and reality, theatre and drag, fantasy and social commentary! The audience was electrifying, too, a mixture of artists, musicians, intellectuals and queer people, all embracing this celebration of identity, expression, and, above all, love.
Later, backstage, I got a chance to chat with the legendary Holly Woodlawn, one of the original Cockettes. Darling, what a treasure! Her wit, her grace, her story - she was a queen in the truest sense of the word, with a voice that resonated with the spirit of rebellion and artistic brilliance.
Talking with Holly and the other Cockettes about the origins of the drag movement, the challenges they faced, and the revolutionary impact of their work, filled my heart with awe, gratitude, and admiration. This wasn't just a performance, it was a movement, a revolution in its own right!
Inspiration & Legacy
Darling, my time travelling adventures are a testament to the extraordinary power of drag. Every time I jump into my magical tutu and zip off to a new time, I learn something new about the rich history of drag, and what a journey it has been! The Cockettes and their revolutionary performance, "Pearls Before Swine" was just the start! The journey of drag is a constant evolution, and seeing these early pioneers work, really opened my eyes to how much has happened and the amazing possibilities the future holds for drag!
I'm reminded how drag has always been more than just glitter and makeup. It has been about pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and giving a voice to the marginalised. Drag has served as a stage for self-expression, identity exploration, and an antidote to societal expectations. It has given people the courage to be themselves, to be outrageous, and to reclaim their narratives!
So, next time you're at a drag show, remember the power of drag, the heritage of its pioneers and the extraordinary journey that got us here today.
Let's all embrace the audacity, the glamour, and the inclusivity of drag and make it an even more beautiful, diverse, and revolutionary force in the world. And if you haven't already, grab your most fabulous pink tutu and join me on this exciting adventure! It's time to strut our stuff, darlings!
Until next time, stay sparkly!
Lots of Love,
Emma xx
