By: Geoffrey Sill

Geoffrey Sill — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 04:16:26 +0000

for an academic study of Lydia Thompson, please see Geoffrey Sill, “Robinson’s Transgender VoyLage: or, Burlesquing Crusoe.” Robinson Crusoe after 300 years,” eds. Andreas K.E. Mueller and Glynis Ridley. Lewisburg, PA: Bucknell University Press,2021, 27-60.

By: Mariano Paniello

Mariano Paniello — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 17:31:07 +0000

Very interesting article, thank you. Lydia Thompson also figures in the history of Carnival/Mardi Gras in New Orleans. In 1872, the Blondes were performing Bluebeard in New Orleans, which coincided with the state visit of Grand Duke Alexei. In honor of his visit, a new parade, the Krewe of Rex (to this day the main parade on MG day), was founded and rolled for the first time. At some point, Alexei had developed a fondness for Lydia, and was especially fond of “If Ever I Cease to Love” from Bluebeard, and so it was adopted as the official song of Mardi Gras. It’s still played to this day during Carnival, and the Rex ball culminates with that year’s Rex dancing with his queen to the song.

Comments on: Lydia Thompson, the “Father of All Drag Kings”?

By: Geoffrey Sill

By: Mariano Paniello