Many people drunkenly crashed their way into 2020 via a 1920s-themed New Year's Eve party with plenty of fringed dresses, sparkle and fizz. Much as I'm drawn to the fancy dress side of things - especially if I can make a costumed nod to Marilyn Monroe in Some Like it Hot - I wasn't sure... Continue Reading →
Back in 2013, I celebrated a decade of blogging with an awards ceremony. One of the winners of those awards - voted for by this blog's readers and my social media followers - was the incomparable Lolo Brow. In the five years since then, Lolo has: produced Cabaret Derangium; terrified audiences with her toxic masculinity... Continue Reading →
I've had a fondness for burlesque for a decade now. The costumes, movements, and facial expressions all help to tell a story, and the best acts are often the ones that do something the audience doesn't expect. I've always preferred a little subversion to a lot of 'glitter tits', and thankfully there are plenty of... Continue Reading →
About eight years ago now, as a university graduate wet behind the years, I stumbled upon the burlesque scene in Scotland: a Ministry of Burlesque performance in Edinburgh, as it happened. From there, my long-term love of burlesque - and corsetry/costuming - was born. At the same time, I also found myself in the lucky... Continue Reading →
Back in 2011, some fabulous friends of mine had an idea to create a burlesque event that dared to bare and raised money for a good cause into the bargain. Barelesque at the RVT was born and my burlesque alter ego was invited along to be part of the fun, as a model for the... Continue Reading →
Back in February, I wrote about the upcoming Kiss Me Deadly catwalk show. I was very much looking forward to seeing the wonderfully diverse selection of superfans that the brand had chosen to show off their current and future lingerie and swimwear styles, and planned to attend with two lovely friends. It turned out that... Continue Reading →
Over the last four years, I have accumulated rather a lot of clothing and accessories that I no longer have a use for. When will I wear nipple pasties that look like Christmas presents? Or a mirrored bra*? Or a corset that has matching satin frilly knickers? Yes, now that Miss Lolly Pops has retired,... Continue Reading →
Back in March 2009, I started my second course of burlesque classes. Under the expert tuition of Marianne Cheesecake, a group of about ten of us worked towards creating our on-stage characters and building our confidence as performers. At the end of the course, my friend Cicci (who talked me into going in the first... Continue Reading →
A friend of mine - Lea Rice from The High Tea Cast - posted a link to Laura Bates' article in The Independent on sexist advertising on her Facebook timeline yesterday. The article points out (yet again) why dismissing casual sexism as 'banter' is actually rather harmful, and Lea added the following comment to emphasis... Continue Reading →
If there's a theme running through Boylexe's show, it's that of performance itself. Boylexe makes the act of performance - performing burlesque on stage, as they are; performing gender and masculinity in particular - stand apparent and revealed. "Look at me!" commands Randolph Hott in one act, inviting us to not just stare at his... Continue Reading →