Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu wearing queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, here, and it's time for another adventure! This is post number 8261, and today we're heading to the charming city of Nottingham. It's been a while since I graced the streets of Nottingham with my flamboyant presence, and I'm already feeling the buzz of excitement.
It’s amazing, I feel like life as a drag queen is one big, glittery adventure. Today, I’m travelling to Nottingham in a rather unique way, well unique for me at least - I'm riding a majestic black stallion named Velvet. Yes, you read that right! The owner of the stately manor house I'm staying at near Nottingham, (it's been my base for the last two days for a performance at the Royal Theatre), just happens to be an absolute equestrian enthusiast and they’re quite partial to a good theatrical performance too! (Of course!) So, Velvet is very generously chauffeuring me through the leafy lanes and past fields of wildflowers. The gentle sway of his hooves makes me feel like I’m waltzing through the English countryside. Oh the life! 💖
The train journey is my usual form of transport, so this change of pace is certainly thrilling. And just for the record, there will definitely be some epic pictures with Velvet - it would be a shame not to, wouldn’t it? My Instagram is about to be inundated with them. The outfit I chose is pink, of course! It’s a full skirt, knee-length, with sparkly tulle and a matching crop top with little pom poms that I picked up at a vintage store in Chesterfield a few weeks ago - it’s going to look utterly sensational against the backdrop of lush green countryside!
Speaking of colour, there is nothing that brings a smile to my face like the sight of a majestic field of pink wildflowers. Now I know what you're thinking - “Pink Tutu Sparkles, you love pink tutus and it seems you’re a tad obsessed with the colour pink” - well, you’d be right! But let’s be honest, it's a fantastic colour. Bright, bold, eye-catching, playful and positive – it’s basically everything I want to be in life, darling! And don’t even get me started on the power of the tutu – it can be so elegant, yet dramatic at the same time - the embodiment of fierce and delicate - the perfect reflection of who I am in my Pink Tutu Sparkles form!
Before my trip to Nottingham, I’d spent a lovely few days with a charming elderly gentleman, George, in the village of Castleton in Derbyshire, performing at the village fete. My heart was just overflowing with joy after seeing how much my performance delighted him. Now, George is the epitome of a classic English gentleman, very dapper in a suit with his trilby hat and pristine shoes, so imagine my delight when after a very engaging discussion about the importance of polka dots for good fortune and good cheer, he not only invited me to stay at his beautiful stone cottage, he even allowed me to borrow his prized antique umbrella for my performance! And the cherry on the cake? - He actually got up and danced with me on stage during my finale! He even had a go at my signature 'pink tutus for everyone' pose at the end – his sheer joy at performing with me was heartwarming. (We had to make a small adjustment with the tutu because, of course, the gentleman did not have his own! A makeshift pink ballet dress had to do in the short space of time!)
Anyway, enough reminiscing for now, darlings, I've got a show to put on, and I've just arrived in Nottingham, all glammed up and ready to go! My first stop, before I set off to the Royal Theatre for sound checks, is the Nottingham Lace Market - my friend, the gorgeous Florence “Flutter” Flamingo told me there is a stunning new pink dress shop that has just opened up there. You’d think by now that I wouldn’t be tempted by anything new - but you just can’t say no to a sparkly pink tutu!
There’s so much going on, it's almost impossible to fit everything into one day! You all know I’m mad about theatre and dance, and there's something that really gets me going in the theatrical life – that moment just before the curtain goes up - a mixture of butterflies and glee - It’s always exciting - it’s a little bit scary too, of course! I take the opportunity of the pre-performance adrenaline rush to give myself a good pep talk to calm my nerves - then I find myself looking into the audience before I take to the stage, connecting my eyes with the faces that are watching me. You all know that feeling - that magical connection with the people you see in the audience. That moment in time where I just allow Pink Tutu Sparkles to be herself - the lights are blinding, the music is loud and the magic starts to happen! It is a completely immersive moment.
Of course, you can always trust me to make my own unique stamp on a performance! A quick bit of glitter to give everything a bit of extra sparkle is essential - it's just not complete without a little added pizzazz – the bigger the better in my world! And just to spice things up - I added an extra twirl to my signature finale pose!
As always, my Pink Tutu Sparkles' set had more glitter than the night sky, a kaleidoscope of bright, joyous colours and an enchanting tutu, which, by the way, I chose very carefully! A beautiful multi-layered powder pink creation that was a gift from my fabulous Aunt Dolly, one of the best milliners in the whole of Derby, with her amazing creation - it just shimmered under the spotlight, reflecting a million pink sparkly lights.
There was quite a buzz of excitement after the performance, as is usually the case after my Pink Tutu Sparkles shows, with requests for pictures and autographs, but what stood out was a heartwarming conversation I had with a group of young children, who wanted to find out how they could dress like Pink Tutu Sparkles too! I got a little tear in my eye when they asked about my glitter - they're the future and they are absolutely beautiful, they really lit up when I told them that it is very important to embrace who they are, and never ever let anyone stop them from expressing their inner sparkles and shine. They looked as if they'd be on their way to become amazing drag queens themselves!
Before the performance, the team from the theatre had given me a tour of their magnificent stage, the dressing room, and the green room, explaining how the whole technical side works - it really was fascinating. They were such amazing people, and the stage itself was magnificent. The Royal Theatre was quite grand with intricate carvings in the ornate plasterwork and an elegant proscenium arch framing the stage – I could hardly contain myself! They told me a bit of the history of the building - apparently, the grand ballroom on the top floor was the only one of its kind left in the city. A few more performances, and perhaps the magnificent grand ballroom might see a Pink Tutu Sparkles show!
And to end this day of fun, magic and fabulousity – I'm now relaxing at a charming little cafe on Friar Lane, watching the world go by and enjoying a hot cup of Earl Grey with a small piece of raspberry cheesecake!
So, darling, that was a little peek at my magical time in Nottingham. I am always up for a great adventure and I'm so excited about my next one! It’s all thanks to you lovely people that I'm able to live my dreams as a pink-tutu wearing drag queen - I have the biggest heart for what I do - so a big thank you for making this possible for me.
Until next time, darlings - keep sparkling and let your fabulous shine brightly - never forget - the world needs more pink tutus! 💖
Love you, Pink Tutu Sparkles x
PS: Follow my fabulous adventures at www.pink-tutu.com, my daily drag diary!
