Hello my lovely darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad Queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, reporting live from the heart of Bilston! Can you believe it, darlings? Me, a drag queen in the Midlands! This isn't some fancy London night club, no, this is a proper old-fashioned working man's club, complete with sticky carpet and a questionable smell, but don't let that fool you. I absolutely love the sheer grit and authenticity of it all, a total contrast to the usual glitz and glam of a Covent Garden performance. I can't help but think it's where a queen like myself shines brightest!
It wasn't easy getting here, though. Oh no, I wasn't about to sully my glamorous self by riding on those dirty buses! Nope, a first-class train ride was the only option for me. With my sparkly handbag, carefully packed with lip gloss and an emergency fan (because it can get a bit sweaty out there), I gracefully took my seat, and gazed out the window at the scenery of green fields and quaint little villages, and let me tell you, darlings, even those cows seemed to be gazing at me with admiration!
Now, some of you might think, 'Bilston? Why there, Pink Tutu? There's surely nothing to do but look at black country ironworks! ' But you're so wrong, dears! Bilston is an untapped jewel of creativity! Did you know the town is actually known for its 'bilston enamel' – exquisite works of art made on little steel objects! This town is chock-full of talented craftspeople, who are as passionate about their art as I am about mine!
Upon arriving, the locals treated me like a royalty, darlings. It turns out, even here in the Midlands, my flamboyant persona is quite the spectacle! Everyone wants to chat and say hello, and honestly? I love that. It warms my sparkly pink heart!
Once I reached the venue, it was a flurry of activity. My stage manager, the fabulous Barry (who you’ll remember from the 'London's Burning' panto last year, where he donned a pink tutu too – thank you for joining the movement, darling!), had my sparkly pink platform shoes ready, and a little entourage of eager make-up artists were already applying iridescent glitter around my eyes (and on the inside too, of course, because why not, right?).
The whole venue was abuzz with excitement! Every single soul in that club, even those with no interest in sequins or showbiz, felt the joy. They cheered, they clapped, and when my first note filled the air – the beginning of "Dancing Queen" in a pink tutu of course, well, that was magic! I had never felt so at home, so connected, so completely and utterly accepted. It's like this, my lovelies: it's not about the venue or the crowd. It’s about the passion, the dedication, and that unwavering belief in what we are – beautiful, talented, and capable of sparking joy wherever we go!
There are people who love to watch ballet performances but struggle to see how it can connect to the average day-to-day experience. That is why, dear darlings, it is a mission of mine to bring ballet into the everyday, to show that pink tutus and dancing, it's not just for posh events! It's for us, for every soul!
I mean, honestly, it's not a secret, I'm not just your friendly neighbourhood drag queen. My love for dance goes back to when I was a child, always pirouetting around my Derbyshire living room, and it grew during university while I was studying… for a science degree, you'd be shocked to hear! Now you wouldn't know I was studying chemistry by day and performing in the University’s ballet club in pink tutus at night, but it's a perfect reflection of the way I approach life – with an element of surprise, an unshakable commitment to what I love, and, of course, a pinch of playful sparkle! (By the way, did you know my day job as a chemist means I get to work with fabric - it's a science!)
I admit, the whole thing began rather awkwardly when I found myself in a charity shop, facing a pile of pink tutus and suddenly drawn to the vibrant fuchsia and the delightful tulle! That was the day everything changed! Now, you might wonder, a scientist with a passion for ballet? Well, science is all about exploring, pushing boundaries, and revealing hidden beauties, and to me, there's nothing more beautiful than a graceful pirouette in a tutu that sparkles under the stage lights, darling. The beauty is a perfect balance of science, expression, and heart.
Back in Bilston, the audience was on their feet! I could see kids dancing with their mothers, grandparents clapping with infectious energy, and, oh my, the man next to me, a grumpy old fella in a flat cap, even joined in with the polka! This is why we do it, darlings. This is why I don’t shy away from these less ‘glamorous’ places, to spread joy. It’s not about fancy stages and designer dresses (though they are delightful!), it’s about connection, community, and shared laughter – a moment of magic in an unexpected place.
And speaking of surprises, darling, I can't tell you just how thrilled I am about my latest project! It involves a group of primary school kids who have embraced their inner queen, complete with glitter, hairspray and little pink tutus. These little darlings are gonna steal the show at a fundraising gala! They'll be strutting their stuff alongside seasoned professionals - the ultimate show of confidence, joy, and artistic expression! And trust me, you're gonna be seeing it on my Instagram feed as soon as the show is over!
There are no borders when it comes to passion. I want to show people you can find joy everywhere, from the gritty, industrial heartland of Bilston, all the way to the opulent glamour of London. We can spark joy by letting our hearts soar. And as long as there is a soul to be touched by a dazzling, pink, glittering tutu, I'll be there. That’s the Pink Tutu Sparkles promise, and you’ve got my word on that!
But before I go, my darling readers, I just need you to think about this. Pink tutus, they are not about a certain age or a certain place, no, they are about being bold, about embracing our inner child and finding our unique, radiant sparkle. The beauty lies in the power to let loose, express yourself, and shine with unapologetic joy.
That's all for today, darlings. Go and wear your pink tutus with pride and bring the sunshine and sparkle into the lives of others! You can find me on www.pink-tutu.com - see you tomorrow! xx
