Helloooo darlings! It's your favourite Tutu Queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, back with another whirlwind adventure! Iām currently sipping on some bubbly pink prosecco in my fabulous Hanwell hotel room, a fluffy pink feather boa resting on my head (my current travel-companion for warmth - itās quite chilly out!). Itās been a busy day but oh-so-worth it. I've got so much to tell you, so buckle up and grab your favourite pink tulle ā it's about to be a journey filled with sparkle, giggles, and of course, pink tutus!
As many of you know, I am an ardent believer in living life to the fullest, in every colour imaginable, but with a particular emphasis on pink, naturally. Thatās why I was absolutely thrilled to be invited to perform in Hanwell, a delightful town in West London! Hanwell is full of character, quirky shops, and, most importantly for this tutu-loving Queen, a beautiful old theatre called The Hanwell Playhouse, with charming period features and a sense of history that just oozes drama and magic.
This is my sixth trip in November, and while I am constantly on the move, my darling tutus always travel with me. Thereās nothing like a stunning train journey through the English countryside in a glamorous, pink tutu to really put you in the mood for adventure. Of course, you're probably thinking, āPink Tutu, how do you fit it all in?!ā I may have a full-time gig in a science lab, testing the strength and longevity of fabrics, which is surprisingly glamorous when youāre analyzing sequins and fabrics for a drag show, but my nights are dedicated to the glitz and glamour of drag.
My real name is Alex, but, trust me, Pink Tutu Sparkles is a far more fabulous title for the vibrant character I embody on stage. And if I'm honest, even I prefer it that way! After all, who wouldn't want to be known for rocking a pink tutu with unparalleled flair?!
My fascination with pink tutus began back in my university days in Derbyshire. I was studying to be a scientist (it runs in the family), and I joined the university ballet club for something fun to do, something totally out of my comfort zone, you could say. Now, I know you are all picturing this as a pretty idyllic image. But let's be honest ā my first few ballet class attempts were pretty disastrous! Imagine the image, Alex - a future scientist in a lab coat trying to balance and spin in a tutu. It was a very ungraceful and probably hilarious sight to see, I can tell you! But that one awkward moment was the start of something brilliant. I actually fell in love with the joy, the challenge and the utter joy of ballet. It gave me the confidence to get out of my shell and thatās how I discovered the beauty of being myself!
Back to Hanwellā¦ The highlight of the trip was definitely the ballet performance I attended at The Hanwell Playhouse. We saw āGiselleā by the Hanwell Ballet Company, a hauntingly beautiful ballet with stunning costumes, elegant choreography, and the raw passion and artistry that only ballet can offer. It left me utterly inspired! The beauty of dancing combined with the joy of witnessing a beautiful story unfold before your eyes... well, itās just magical.
Of course, my performance in Hanwell was a whirlwind of excitement and pure delight! The energy from the audience was fantastic. The air was thick with cheers, laughter, and applause as I twirled through my setlist of beloved classics and brand-new hits, all in my signature style, which, as you know, is a lot of pink tulle! The audience seemed to really love the playful energy of my performance. The audience in Hanwell loved it!
This trip was definitely another testament to how my drag life and my real life have so cleverly come together to make a world that Iām completely happy in. It doesnāt matter whether I'm doing a scientific experiment by day or lighting up the stage by night, I can confidently say that my mission is a joyful one! It's about embracing the love for ballet and sharing the infectious energy of a pink tutu.
Of course, every performance ends with the famous, pink tutu pledge, my aim to have every single person embrace the magic and joy of the tutu in some way, and Hanwell was no different. This beautiful pink dream isnāt just about how the tutu looks, but the emotions that it evokes. We had so many lovely chats at the show in the interval, itās lovely when people approach me after my shows, it makes it all worthwhile! Lots of giggles and a real buzz for the joy of wearing a tutu!
Itās so much fun spreading my love of the color pink and everything glitzy! I mean, seriously, who doesn't love a good sparkle? And it seems that my passion is contagious, because the locals really did embrace my pink tutu dream! So many people in the audience actually took a pink tutu out of their handbags, a couple of young boys and some families got involved too, and twirled happily alongside me during my final number. The happiness in everyoneās faces was wonderful! The power of pink tutus ā I knew it would happen!
I even noticed the ballet company at The Hanwell Playhouse incorporated a pink tutu element into their show on the night, (my pink tutu pledge at work again, lol!). They even danced on the stage with their own version of the famous pink tutu pledge in the finale of the play!
One of my absolute favourite parts of travelling is being able to soak in the history and culture of a place. I just love wandering through old markets and local shops, taking it all in with a grateful eye. Hanwell, with its quaint pubs, pretty squares, and charming houses, definitely had that delightful sense of homeliness to it. It was like stepping back in time in the best possible way.
But honestly, even in this most incredible location, I always look forward to heading back home and seeing my dear friend, Ginger. She's the best! She keeps a strict diary of every trip, every performance, and keeps my Tutu wardrobe perfectly organised, so that everything sparkles as if by magic!
Well, it's getting late here in Hanwell and Iāve got an early start in the morning. Time to tuck myself in and dream of fluffy pink boas and sparkly sequins, before the new dayās journey begins! Itās exciting to think where my pink tutus will take me next! Iāll keep you posted on all the shenanigans of this travelling Tutu Queen ā donāt forget to keep visiting the blog, www.pink-tutu.com!
