It's been another twelve months of pandemic life but, hey, you know what always cheers me up at this time of year? Giving thanks and announcing my Super Humans! Every year since 2011, I have shared a list of the people who have had positive impact on my life in the previous 12 months and... Continue Reading →
House of Burlesque: Banked
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 →
Review: Cabaret, New Wimbledon Theatre
An email from trade publication Lingerie Insight popped up in my inbox on Monday, and the headline 'Lingerie designer makes Cabaret comeback to dress Louise Redknapp and Will Young' caught my eye. The article reported that the designer and founder of Raine & Bea, Jenna Barnes, made costumes for Cabaret in 2013 and was invited... Continue Reading →
Barelesque Anim8te
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 →
The Katzenjammer Club
If, like me, you came out of the video room at the V&A's Club to Catwalk exhibition and wondered why there's nothing like that in London any more, I have got some rather exciting news for you! If you're a fan of the antics of icons like David Bowie, Klaus Nomi or Leigh Bowery, then... Continue Reading →
Catch my alter ego Miss Lolly Pops at Barelesque III
I first took to the stage as Miss Lolly Pops on Wednesday 23rd September 2009, at Last Days of Decadence in Shoreditch. It was the start of a fun-filled three year journey that, sadly, looks like it's on its last legs. After seven shows - and an unfortunately cancelled eighth this summer - all is... Continue Reading →
Doctor Who in New York
As I said yesterday, there are two parts of my holiday that I wanted to tell you about. The first was the amazing vintage and retro clothing that I discovered, and the second was the amount of Doctor Who stuff I found in New York. I mean, I knew that US nerds were as obsessed... Continue Reading →
Feminism Friday: Cabaret opera?
I don't really know much about opera. I know that I love the sound of a good operatic vocal, and I have enjoyed a number of performances of and inspired by opera. On Monday evening I attended a concert called Disturbia, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the Southbank. The first piece performed by the... Continue Reading →
Review: Barelesque
On Wednesday 12th October 2011, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern played host to a raucous bunch of ladies who, along with their friends, were hoping to raise lots of money for LGBT homeless charity the Albert Kennedy Trust. As I mentioned last month, I was delighted to be chosen as one of those girls by the... Continue Reading →
Barelesque: body-positive charity burlesque!
There are plenty of burlesque and cabaret nights to choose from in the capital, but the stages at many of them are often only filled with a certain type of woman. Not everyone is a toned size 10 and not everyone wants to be either, but some burlesque nights do still seem to be all... Continue Reading →