Hello darlings, welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel, your monthly dose of all things sparkly, sassy and historically fabulous! This is your girl Emma, back from another whirl through time, and let me tell you, February 2005 was an absolute dream! You know how much I adore the classics, so imagine my joy at getting to experience the glory of a bygone era - pre-RuPaul's Drag Race! I mean, the world was a different place back then. It was like being in one of those old-school drag queen movies, but in living colour! So, pop on your best pink tutu and let's take a twirl through the time-space continuum, shall we?
Landing In London:
My magical pink tutu brought me down in London, which was bursting with drag delights. Oh, to be young again and living in London back then! There was a fabulous show called "Viva La Divas!" featuring an array of outrageous drag performers. I swear, their costumes would make a queen's head spin! It was pure campy glamour and a truly amazing experience. They were all absolutely killing it. The atmosphere was electric - everyone was so alive and energized. There was a true spirit of community and acceptance that was really infectious.
And don't even get me started on the nightlife. There was a pub crawl, starting at the RVT and then moving on to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. The streets were alive with glitz and glamour, and I swear, everyone was dressed like they were straight out of a Moulin Rouge revival! Oh, the colours, the feathers, the glittery, gorgeous gowns - I could practically smell the smoke and sequins!
Taking It To The Streets:
Later, I saw Cherry & Black, one of the biggest Drag House's around. You know, their whole aesthetic is so deliciously gothic! They are a proper old school, true cabaret style group, full of theatre-trained drama and dance and a pinch of dark mischief - absolutely magnifique!
Oh, and speaking of theatricality - one of the other shows I was fortunate enough to see was “Club C,” and, my darling, it was a complete spectacle! It was such a theatrical affair, almost a complete sensory overload! This night club on Great Portland Street is what I can only imagine the glory of pre-RuPaul’s Drag Race, or a club like Madame JoJo's must have felt like. It was a fabulous mish mash of drag queens, go-go boys, singers, and dancers. Just sheer, raucous entertainment. It's incredible to think of how diverse and experimental the scene was in London back then - all these different drag performers and houses all under one roof.
Feeling The Vibe
Back in those days, before “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, drag queens truly were part of the local fabric, they were part of the social scene. You could see queens on the street at a pub or on the stage. They weren’t necessarily known for a specific drag queen name or persona, but a collection of queens would just appear, put on a show for the audience, and entertain the crowd. You can still find this a bit today at gay pubs and night clubs across the country, but not to the same scale.
The drag queens I met on that trip were so welcoming. They didn't care where I came from or what I looked like. They were just so happy to have another queen in their midst. It was truly an amazing sense of community. There was no competition; it was all about supporting each other. You know what, I actually find that inspiring. That era had such an inclusive atmosphere. That kind of inclusiveness, that camaraderie between all sorts of queens, it’s important for us to remember.
But This Is About The Pink Tutus:
Of course, my mission during this time-travel trip was to encourage all of London to embrace the beauty and magic of a pink tutu! And wouldn't you know it, they were receptive! Now, you wouldn't find a whole host of ladies out and about sporting full pink tulle ball gowns or tutus on the Tube - this was the pre-RuPaul's Drag Race era!
However, after some very careful time travel adjustments, and with a little pink tutu persuasion, the Viva La Divas crew started wearing hints of pink! I snuck them some fabulous pink feather boas to compliment their glamorous drag ball gowns and their show, my darling, well, let's just say it really took on a whole new sense of energy!
My efforts may not have caused a massive pink tutu takeover of the London scene that month, but just watch those vintage photos for hints of pink!
Looking Back & Planning The Future:
From London to Derbyshire, I'm so thankful I could see how amazing this vibrant drag scene in the early 2000's was. It truly gives me a great appreciation for the art of drag today. The sheer artistry, the showmanship, the resilience – they all build upon the legacies of queens from all these fabulous, incredible periods in drag history. It is so inspiring. I've gotta tell you, being a drag queen in this era is quite a trip - but so is travelling in time in a pink tutu!
So, don't forget, if you want to read more about our trip to the world of 2005, all you have to do is head to my blog on www.pink-tutu.com. That's right darlings! I post all about these amazing, fabulous drag history time travels once a month, for you all to enjoy, every month!
Now, let's give thanks for our wonderful queens of the past - because every performance and era we leave behind shapes and inspires drag queens all across the globe. They are the very foundation for the beautiful drag scene we have today. So get those tutus ready, my darlings, and don’t forget to wear pink!
