Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-wearing drag queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, here with another fabulous travel blog post! Today I'm whisking you away to the charming town of Sutton, a real hidden gem, and one I'd recommend everyone put on their list to visit!
It's all thanks to the amazing folks at the Sutton Arts Centre. They invited yours truly to perform a little something special. They have the most delightful little theatre, all plush red velvet seats, and even the best tea room ever! It reminded me so much of the little theatre in Derby where I used to see all those fabulous shows. Remember my last post about the Derbyshire panto season? Ah, I do love me a good pantomime!
Anyway, enough about me and my childhood theatre memories - this blog post is about the lovely Sutton! It’s so exciting when you arrive in a new place, and there’s that wonderful energy that says ‘adventure’. This town definitely had that feel. It's just the kind of place I love, full of little shops with a quirky character and beautiful, old architecture.
The moment I stepped off the train, I could just feel the excitement buzzing around me! Of course, I couldn't travel in my drag getup - that wouldn't do on the train, although, I once got away with wearing my Tutu, with a posh wig and bright pink eyeshadow, when I took the sleeper from Edinburgh to London. The conductor looked quite flustered when he came to check my ticket! But, on to Sutton - the station was absolutely charming, full of that red brick charm with some lovely floral displays around the platform. Just picture this: a pink tutu queen arriving at a grand station, the stationmaster must have thought I’d escaped from a panto, but no, it was just me, your average, everyday, tutu-wearing drag artist, arriving in style.
From the station, I wandered down to the market square. I knew that Sutton was famous for its vibrant markets and oh my! Let me tell you, this town truly knows how to put on a show! The market was filled with all kinds of goodies - beautiful hand-crafted jewellery, fresh local produce that smelt so yummy, a stand with gorgeous hats (just my style!) and, naturally, loads of vintage clothing!
It was time for some serious shopping, darling! My Tutu needs her fix every so often, it's just how I roll! I scooped up the cutest hat with a feather - it perfectly matched my new pink sequinned belt - then went for some delicious local cheeses, just to keep my energy levels high for the performance later on.
You can never have too many accessories! The key is to embrace all shades of pink, and never be afraid to experiment! I've discovered, over the years, that colour co-ordination isn’t everything when you've got a fab pink Tutu! But it’s important to know when and where to break out the full-on sparkly look! And a good set of ballet shoes is a must - comfort, darling, comfort! You'd be surprised just how often a queen needs a trusty pair of comfy shoes, be it for dancing, strolling, shopping or travelling on trains.
I also treated myself to a truly fabulous, super soft pink scarf - a perfect accessory for the chillier weather that's started to creep in! Don't you just love autumn? I especially love when all the leaves start to turn those fiery oranges and yellows - it inspires me so much, and gives me the perfect colours for new outfit ideas! I might just take a trip to Sherwood Forest in a few weeks and have a photoshoot, oh, imagine! It'd be amazing. It’d even be an excuse to take a day off from the lab. It's such a balancing act, being a scientist and a drag artist.
Speaking of which! That brings me back to my evening in Sutton!
After I'd done all my shopping and fuelled myself up, I headed back to my hotel for a little makeover. Now, I might be all about glitz and glamour, but when I'm not in drag, I'm all about practicality and comfort! A little change from the glamour of my stage persona, but, after a long day, who can blame a girl for wanting to slip into some comfy pyjamas, maybe do some ballet exercises on YouTube, grab a hot chocolate, and switch my favourite, comfy sparkly slippers on. It's a little moment of self-care that helps me get ready to embrace my inner Sparkle!
My dressing room is always a sight! I take it everywhere I go, complete with enough pink sparkle to rival a fairy princess. It has everything I need – you know, the essentials, all of those tiny bits and bobs, the eye liner, glitter glue, lash glue, eyelashes, and everything I need for a fantastic performance. My makeup routine for Pink Tutu Sparkles is a fun mix of theatre makeup skills with some drag tips. It all takes time to learn - but that's part of the journey, darling!
Anyway, enough about my makeup bag, let’s go back to Sutton! That evening, I went back to the theatre, all ready to rock my sparkly routine. My fabulous ensemble included my new, absolutely stunning, sequined jumpsuit - perfect for a big, dramatic reveal at the start of the show - paired with my favourite pink feather boa.
I could just feel the audience's excitement when I sashayed out on stage. They were amazing! Everyone joined in with the music, even singing along to some of my favourite songs! I could just feel the positive energy in the room - Sutton, you definitely knew how to throw a party!
That evening was all about spreading some love, laughter and a good dose of pink. As always, my biggest goal is to get everyone in the audience feeling their best selves, whatever that looks like, and encourage them to be proud of who they are.
After my set, the whole team at Sutton Arts Centre were so welcoming - we talked for ages about everything from drag fashion to the perfect recipe for afternoon tea (always a vital topic in my books!). I was absolutely delighted to see so many youngsters in the audience – that's what keeps me going! Hopefully, I managed to inspire some little pink Tutu queens, and future drag stars in the audience.
Before I said my goodbyes and boarded the train, I headed back to the market square and grabbed some last-minute treats – a selection of homemade fudge and some delicious locally baked bread, to tide me over until the next day. You never know what little treasures you might stumble across in a market. They are just a mine of quirky fun, I can't get enough!
Sutton was a whirlwind, but it's a place I will certainly be visiting again, I’ve already added it to my pink tutu queen itinerary. I always aim for a mix of ballet classes and shows, performances and travelling by train. It’s not always easy, but there is so much to experience. And let's face it, how fabulous does it look in photos, you guys?!
So that's it from Sutton! Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for a brand new blog post and follow my social media channels, where I’ll be sharing even more amazing pictures from Sutton and my pink tutu adventures! And of course, don't forget to wear your pink tutu! ✨💖
Until next time!
Much Love and Sparkles,
Pink Tutu Sparkles!
www.pink-tutu.com
