Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet! It’s Pink Tutu Sparkle, here, and this is Post Number 8263! As I type this, my feet are a little sore (you know, all that dancing!) but my heart is absolutely brimming with joy! I’m writing to you all from the magical city of Manchester!
Now, as a regular reader knows, Manchester holds a special place in my sparkly, pink-hued heart! The city is a hotbed of talent, both on stage and on the streets! They're really big on arts and culture here in Manchester, and I absolutely love being able to explore and enjoy it all! You could say, they’re my kind of people, so when the call came in for me to do a gig at The Palace Theatre, my sequins nearly popped off!
But before I delve into my fab performance, let's rewind the clock a little! As a proud Derbyshire lass (well, a Derby lad by day, to be exact), I always love a train journey to the city, especially for a trip as glamorous as this. So, with my trusty pink suitcase packed with shimmering costumes and an extra-large packet of glitter, I hopped onto the train, my tutu billowing in the wind as the whistle blew!
The carriage was buzzing with excitement, the usual Monday morning chaos of busy commuters but somehow it felt like a runway to me, because darling, let's face it: a tutu transforms any occasion. I felt those envious eyes glued to me – who wouldn’t, with a fabulous frock like this! Even the lady sitting opposite me, tucked in her corporate suit and probably dreaming of a bigger office, peeked out from her newspaper to give me a smile and an approving nod! It truly is magical how a bit of pink tulle and sparkles can bring a little joy to even the dullest of days!
Arriving in Manchester, the first thing I did was head to my favourite department store! A little retail therapy is essential before a big night out, isn't it? I couldn’t resist scooping up a few new gems for my wardrobe – a pink feather boa (because who needs too many boas?), some fabulous heels with even more fabulous sequins (gotta match those dance moves), and, of course, a brand new pink tutu. One can never have too many! You never know when an impromptu photo opportunity will strike, right?
I even snagged some delicious lunch at one of those charming little cafes, right in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Oh my goodness, a scone with jam and clotted cream? My inner Yorkshire girl just couldn't resist!
But the real highlight of this whole adventure, you ask? The performance itself! My show at the Palace Theatre was an absolute dream! I can’t believe I was gracing that beautiful stage – an absolute iconic theatre if you’ve never been, darling! The audience were phenomenal; I could feel the love and excitement from every row, they cheered so loud! They were completely captivated, clapping along to every song, and by the end, they were all dancing in their seats! You’d have thought it was the Royal Opera House, such sophistication!
You know, one of the things that really makes my heart swell as a drag performer is seeing the joy on people's faces. A child, eyes wide with wonder, mesmerized by my glittering costumes, adults laughing and clapping, a whole room full of smiles – there’s just no other feeling quite like it.
But wait! My adventures weren’t over yet. After my dazzling show, I found myself heading for The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester’s iconic concert venue, because nothing beats a night of ballet! It's an unspoken rule of the Pink Tutu Sparkle universe: you can never have too much ballet! I am simply mesmerized by the way dancers move, by their incredible control and grace – it’s such an amazing form of art. Plus, it’s just a whole lot of fun, with a side of fabulous! And don’t get me started on the costumes. My personal favourite is when ballerinas perform in pale pink tutus, almost a pale mirror to my signature look.
And just to top off an absolutely magical evening, I ended up enjoying a nightcap in a stylish cocktail bar, a glass of my favourite (pink, naturally!), reminiscing about the evening's events and soaking up the Manchester atmosphere. Honestly, this trip had me floating on a pink cloud of pure happiness, my heart as light as a ballerina’s step.
Now, I'll tell you a secret... the true secret of being Pink Tutu Sparkle – or, Alex, my less glamorous daytime persona - isn't the makeup or the sparkling gowns, it’s the joy. It’s the thrill of sharing that joy, bringing a bit of sparkle and colour to everyone’s lives. Maybe that's why I love tutus so much – they make everyone feel just a little bit more magical, a little bit more playful, a little bit more beautiful, no matter their age, their size or what they wear on any other day. And really, isn't that the aim of the game?
Don’t forget to keep those pink tutus at the ready – you never know when a Pink Tutu Sparkle moment will strike! Now, I’m off to chase some dreams (and probably to chase a few pink bows!)... See you all next time, darling!
Love, Pink Tutu Sparkle, (aka Alex) www.pink-tutu.com
