Tutu Drag Queen

#TutuQueen on 2010-08-07 stars in Birmingham

Birmingham Calling! Pink Tutu Sparkles is Off to See the World! (Blog Post #3872)

Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad diva, Pink Tutu Sparkles, here with a brand new blog post! You might have seen my Instagram story (it's @PinkTutuSparkles, in case you didn't know!) - yes, your girl is on the move again! The trains are a-calling, the wind is in my hair (well, the train window is open) and I'm off to the bright lights of Birmingham for a dazzling weekend of performing!

This weekend's gigs are going to be extra special, with a touch of theatre and a whole lot of pink tulle! I'm doing a "Pink Tutu Cabaret" performance at The Theatre Royal Birmingham, which is the largest in the UK, no less! I mean, it just wouldn't be Pink Tutu Sparkles without a good dose of glamour and some theatrical flair. I’ve been working hard, darling, adding a few new flourishes to my act to dazzle those Birmingham crowds. It wouldn't be Pink Tutu Sparkles without a surprise or two up my, erm, sparkly sleeve!

But before I set off on my fabulous journey, let’s talk fashion! Oh my goodness, I just had to treat myself to a new, custom-made tutu from my favourite dressmaker, Madame Bonbon. This new tutu, my dears, is a masterpiece! A sea of shimmering pink, layers and layers of tulle, and of course, a sprinkling of sparkles fit for a queen (that's me, darling). Just wait till you see it, it’s absolutely breathtaking!

You see, for me, a good tutu is an essential part of my wardrobe. I mean, wouldn't you agree? Pink tutus have become the essence of everything I stand for. Fun, flair, and a dash of whimsical fantasy, all wrapped up in a flurry of tulle. Who wouldn't want a bit of that in their life? It’s not just for ballet dancers, I tell you!

Now, before we dive into my glamorous travel plans, I just want to say, thank you to all you fabulous people out there for supporting my pink tutu-infused life! It means the world to me to know I'm inspiring people to embrace their inner pink-tutu queen. You know who you are, the brave ones rocking that pink tutu in the park or at the grocery store, you go, girl! We’re all in this together. My ultimate aim? To see every single person in a pink tutu, it’s a goal I'm wholeheartedly committed to achieving, one tutu-clad step at a time.

Off to the Station

It wouldn't be Pink Tutu Sparkles without some stylish train travel, would it? I love hopping on board those beautiful steam locomotives. They just add a dash of vintage glamour to the journey. There's something magical about those old engines chugging along. They're not as quick as a modern train, but then, that's part of the charm, don’t you think? Besides, it gives me time to catch up on my favourite magazine, 'Pink Paradise' (a great fashion mag dedicated to the most fabulously pink looks - I highly recommend it!).

And you know what’s great? I get to pack my fabulous custom-made pink suitcase. It has these gorgeous hand-painted details of tutus and bows, it’s a showstopper on any platform. I don’t mean to boast, but even my luggage knows how to make a statement. It really is a perfect embodiment of Pink Tutu Sparkles! I must confess though, it doesn't leave me much room for all my pink accessories! A girl needs her favourite pink ballet flats, of course, plus an extravagant pink feather boa, a touch of blush pink lipstick, and perhaps a little sparkle for my eyes… oh, the glamour!

Arriving in Birmingham

After a pleasant, albeit slightly longer than expected (the steam train had a slight delay, darling, wouldn’t you know it!), journey, I arrived in Birmingham, which is quite frankly a hub for creativity. As a theatre enthusiast, the first place I wanted to explore was The Rep, which is, in my opinion, a bit of a hidden gem in the city. Oh, and did you know that Birmingham even has a ballet school? That just puts a little twirl in my step, wouldn't you agree? It’s almost enough to make a pink tutu queen lose her mind. Well, almost!

Speaking of ballet, this whole 'Pink Tutu Sparkles' journey actually began when I was studying Science at University (it’s not what you might think, but science is so important for crafting those sparkly embellishments that adorn my costumes!), and became hooked on pink tutus. The story is so ridiculously fabulous, it actually could be in a panto!

I was helping with a charity fundraiser for the University Ballet club and I tried on this vintage pink tutu – remember those days, darling, before I knew my true calling. Well, my heart skipped a beat! I realised that I could just BE that tutu! Not only would I embrace that pink tutu, but I'd become it! Pink Tutu Sparkles was born, baby!

By day I am still a lab tech, testing new fabrics - a necessary job as a pink tutu-wearing drag artist (we all need new fabulous tutus!), and by night, I transform into the glamorous queen we know and love! (No, really, it’s quite hard keeping the lab-coat and glitter in separate places.) It all began here, in the beautiful county of Derbyshire where I was born.

Pink Tutu Cabaret at The Theatre Royal

But enough about my origins - let’s get back to the fabulous Birmingham performance! The Theatre Royal, darling, what a gem! With its grand arches and its majestic velvet curtain, it’s everything a pink-loving queen could wish for. The atmosphere was buzzing, the energy palpable. It’s an iconic landmark and I am so excited to be a part of it.

I’m not going to give away any details of the act (that’s the point, darling! ), but let me just say, this "Pink Tutu Cabaret" was my pièce de résistance. A mix of dazzling choreography, witty banter, and enough pink sparkles to dazzle the whole of Birmingham. You could practically see the audience’s jaws drop! It was a pink tulle extravaganza.

Oh, and my stage costume… well, it’s a real showstopper. This is a Pink Tutu Sparkles classic: a cloud of pink tulle with sequins, all flowing and sparkling and just waiting to be spun around the stage. Imagine a pink cloud on two legs!

Sharing the Magic

Every show has its special moments and Birmingham certainly had a few that I’ll never forget. For instance, there was one audience member who came dressed as a unicorn (a fabulous vision, I tell you). You see, at my shows, you'll find an eclectic mix of audience members, all kinds of fabulous individuals! And that is exactly what I love. My shows aren't just performances, darling; they’re a celebration of all things pink and fabulous! I am hoping that one day, pink tutus will become the universal language, understood by all! A world united by the wonder of pink tulle and sparkling dreams! It's my dream, darling, but it's one I hope to make a reality!

It wasn't just about the performance though - meeting the amazing audience, their enthusiastic reactions and their incredible pink-tutu-inspired outfits, it was so heartwarming, and even made this pink-loving queen feel a little bit choked up. The people, darling, they’re the true heart and soul of any show.

And Now For a Farewell Twirl…

Well, my dears, it's time to bid you a fond farewell for now. Birmingham has been simply divine, with all its sparkling delights.

I’ve left my heart, darling, a little piece of myself, on those Birmingham stages. But as for Pink Tutu Sparkles? She’s off on a new adventure! It’s a secret, but all I can tell you is, this next chapter of Pink Tutu Sparkles will involve a whole lot of horses… maybe even a pink one (can you imagine!). I know you're gonna love it, darling. Stay tuned to my socials for the juicy details. I'll tell you everything once it’s time to announce!

In the meantime, remember to embrace your inner pink-tutu queen, and never be afraid to spread a bit of sparkle wherever you go.

With a sprinkle of pink, Pink Tutu Sparkles

P.S Don’t forget to visit my website www.pink-tutu.com for a pink fashion fix, and be sure to follow my socials, @PinkTutuSparkles, for daily updates!

Let’s get pink, darling!

#TutuQueen on 2010-08-07 stars in Birmingham