Hiya darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu wearing time traveller, Emma, here, bringing you the hottest gossip straight from the archives! I'm back with another fabulously fabulous history post, this time transporting us to the dazzling world of 1950s drag! And wouldn't you know it, this month's adventure takes me right to the heart of Australia!
Now, Iâm not usually one to stray too far from the hallowed halls of British drag history (a queen stays true to her roots, love!), but there's something truly magical about this particular period and this particular drag legend.
Think flapper dresses, glittering sequins, and the most outlandishly camp costumes. That, my lovelies, is the era weâre stepping into today, right into the vibrant world of Australiaâs very own drag superstar - Dame Edna!
Yep, that's right. It's all about that larger-than-life, feathered-haired, glamorous glamazon! Now, if youâre thinking âDame Edna? Thatâs a man?!â, you are absolutely right! Dame Edna Everage, in all her iconic, bewigged, and glitter-encrusted glory, is actually the alter ego of the fabulous Barry Humphries. This Australian legend, with a mischievous glint in his eye and a gift for making people laugh until they cry, brought Dame Edna to life, a comedic tour de force that resonated with the world!
Let me tell you, this fabulous lady was one of a kind! The 1950s were a period of societal upheaval and Dame Edna, a theatrical parody of the archetypal housewife, played right into it, poking fun at social norms and expectations with every well-placed, witty jab. It's camp, itâs fabulous, and itâs gloriously subversive, and just imagine how revolutionary that must have been back then!
And you just canât talk about Dame Edna without mentioning the sheer iconicism of her style, love! Big, blow-dried hair, a massive floral headdress (because Dame Ednaâs a right blooming queen!), glittering gowns that could put a Las Vegas show to shame, and an attitude to match - those are the trademarks of Dame Edna!
Think about it, sheâs the queen of camp comedy, the mother of all drag characters. It's no wonder she's so much fun to emulate! So many drag queens and drag kings have drawn inspiration from her. The beauty, love, the brilliance! The fact that Dame Edna still exists, still performing even now, shows that her comedic charm and talent is timeless!
Anyway, where was I? Right! My latest adventure in my magical, time-travelling pink tutu. This time, it landed me smack-dab in the middle of a bustling backstage scene in Australia. It was just a couple of weeks before Dame Ednaâs first appearance at the Sydney Opera House in 1974! This place was buzzing with the electrifying energy of pre-show preparations.
Hairspray was flying, makeup was getting applied, and every member of Dame Ednaâs team, from costumers to sound technicians, was moving with the rhythm of this magnificent production. They were just a small team, the heart and soul of this incredible show, creating magic with every glitter bomb, every stitch of sequin, every note sung, every perfectly delivered line.
Oh, the costume was something to behold! This dress, a vision in white tulle with a delicate floral motif, had so many layers that it practically flowed on its own! Every feather was strategically placed, every bead painstakingly sewn, each one adding to the theatrical aura that is Dame Edna! And that wig? My dears, that was a symphony of feathers, glitter, and a hint of theatricality - you can just imagine the applause, the whistles!
You see, thatâs what makes time travelling in my pink tutu so brilliant. It gives me this privileged backstage glimpse into the magic of these historical events. I canât help but marvel at how much heart and dedication goes into bringing a performance like this to life.
You might think that I only care about the glamour, love, but that couldn't be further from the truth! Itâs the real heart of what we do. What I love most about these drag shows is the sense of community that arises when so many talented people come together, their shared love for the art creating something truly magical.
Of course, the audience isnât left out of this beautiful world. They play a huge part in this incredible story. Dame Ednaâs act involved such an intimate and engaging dialogue with the audience - I couldn't help but feel that I had been there, laughing along with everyone! And that is truly the most incredible part. This bond between performer and audience. It's something so special, something so rare. And that, my darlings, is why we need more pink tutus in the world!
To celebrate the 55th anniversary of Dame Edna's stage debut, I've got a special offer for you! Throughout the month of June, every person who wears a pink tutu to a drag show will receive a free pack of glitter from my collection! Donât worry about colour-coordination; pink goes with everything, so donât be afraid to express your true colours!
Now, enough about me! This June, thereâs a ton happening in the world of drag!
Here in the UK, we've got a few truly incredible shows coming up! First up, weâve got âDrag Syndromeâ, a new musical that combines classic disco tunes with high-camp performances. Oh, darling! Just imagine a drag rendition of Donna Summer's âI Feel Loveâ with stunning choreographed routines! We've got tickets booked! You're coming, right? You better!
We canât forget the queens that are absolutely slaying the game in theatre! âSix the Musicalâ, an incredibly empowering musical that celebrates the wives of Henry VIII as pop icons, is still packing out venues in the West End and will soon be on a UK tour. I heard it's fabulous! The costumes alone are enough to make you scream âYaaaassss queen!â
If youâre into cabaret, darling, London's got you covered. âThe Cabaret Royaleâ at The Hippodrome in Notting Hill is hosting the legendary drag star, Sherry Vine. I mean, can you believe the showstopper that's going to be?! Get those tickets fast!
And finally, let's not forget the most iconic drag events in London - the drag brunches! âDrag Queen Bingoâ, the UK's most glamorous bingo extravaganza, and the sensational drag-themed brunches at The Londoner, will definitely have you feeling fabulous. Think of all those sequins, the hilarious bingo calls, and those fantastic food platters! You canât beat it, love!
From Australia to the UK, drag is flourishing! And guess what? I'm travelling next to Las Vegas, darling, to catch the hottest drag shows on the Strip, with maybe a stop-off in New York City to experience some iconic downtown drag shows. There's so much excitement going on, so be sure to catch all my updates on Pink-Tutu.com throughout the summer!
Until next time, darlings, remember, pink is always in!
Lots of love and glittery wishes, Emma x
