Burlesque On Ice

So, as those of you who read my blog (or are friends with me on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or Instagram) will know, I have been working, for the last couple of months, on an incredibly exciting project...

Burlesque On Ice!

The show will be at Bush Hall, Shepherds Bush from the 4th - 8th February 2014, with two shows a night.

Featuring top show skaters including Hollie Deller: who was, among other accolades, Scottish Solo Ice Dance Champion, Primary British Pairs Champion, and a member of 'Holiday On Ice' for three years; and hosted by Scarlet Sparkle and the inimitable Joe Morose alongside the creme de la creme of the UK Burlesque industry, including Vicky Butterfly, Gwendoline Lamour and Ruby Deshabille!

Hollie Deller

Scarlet Sparkle and Joe Morose

 

Gwendoline Lamour ** Vicky Butterfly

Ruby Deshabille

Since the auditions in June, everyone has been hard at work - skating at least three times a week, juggling work, shows, rehearsals, filming, travel, childcare and life to attend lessons with our producer Sam Jenkins, and our coach and choreographer Sarah Christou.

Sarah Christou by Zebrowski Photography

In January the cast goes in to intensive rehearsals, in preparation for show week; learning and blocking choreography, both solo and group numbers, rehearsing acts for the stage and the ice, and finalising the script and show run. It's going to be insane and exciting and stressful, but ultimately worth it as we take over the beautiful Bush Hall for a week in February and combine, for the first time, the glamour and seduction of Burlesque with the breathtaking skill of Figure Skating, and mashing it all together with comedy, song, dance, drag, magic, and lots and lots of swarovski crystals!

Not my skates, unfortunately, but a girl can dream!

The show has its own blog, written by the fabulous Glorian Gray, and has featured on other blogs, including Sister Snog and Tigz Rice

We have also been lucky enough to work with incredible companies including Frou Frou Feathers and What Katie Did

So - as an homage to the last six months of rehearsals, I present my picture (and video) montage of the cast of Burlesque On Ice!

Glorian Gray and I off to auditions in June!

Queens Ice Rink - my second home for the last six months.

 

Shiny new skates, ready to hit the ice!

Showgirls on Ice! With Jasz Vegas and Felixy Splits!

 

Playing with fans on ice: with Felixy, Hollie, Bonnie Fleur and Ruby!

Promo shoot with Tigz Rice Studios

Learning how to put moves together...

 

Branding galore! Stealth advertising!

First public performance at Westfield London!

 

On Ice, Backstage and After-Show at Westfield London

Burlesque On Ice teaser video released!

Filming for Magic FM

Christmas Jumper Fundraiser with Arlene Phillips

Saucy Christmas Jumper!

We were (briefly) on the news...

And been in Burlesque Bible...

And the London Evening Standard!

It's been an exhausting, emotional, exciting journey so far; I'm looking forward to what the next six weeks brings as the culmination of all of our hard work and dedication will show its rewards.

I've found it incredibly challenging on so many levels: learning a completely new skill that is so alien to anything I've ever done has been exceptionally difficult, and for the longest time I didn't feel as though I'd ever get the hang of it. Sometimes even staying upright was a toughie!

I've had to contend with old injuries and issues from my dance training days flaring up again, and learn to use my body in a different way. I've dragged myself out of bed to get to the rink at 7a.m. some mornings to get extra practise in before daytime commitments (and I am not a morning person!), or for promotional work for TV and media.

And I've had to re-learn how to work as part of a cast rather than a solo performer once again, putting what I want behind what is best for the end result, and keeping the bigger picture in mind rather than any individual wants. 

There have been bumps and bruises on bottoms and egos; arguments, giggles, cuddles and wine; we have ended up in a cast pile-on more times than I can count; there have been face-plants, spectacular fails and wonderful moments of achievement; we have progressed, as a cast, from barely being able to go forwards without wobbling to jumping, spinning, and putting on a massive show. I've made some amazing new friends and built up friendships with some I only knew as acquaintances. 

I love it. It's something I never even imagined I'd get the chance to do and I'm so excited for what I know will be the most brilliantly bonkers show I've ever been part of, and the most fabulous show of 2014!

BRING. IT. ON... ICE!

xx

Round Up!

Last year I wrote a round-up of 2012, and since we're at the end of 2013, I've been looking back at this year which has gone far too quickly for my liking!

I've kept up this blog for another whole year, and want to say thank you to everyone who has posed for mirror pictures, selfies and candid shots and let me put them up here! Without random backstage shenanigans this whole thing would be pretty boring!

January

 

One of the highlights of the month was the Big Burlesque Tea Party that ended in piano-based carnage at The Coach and Horses in Soho. I saw out 2012 in style with House of Burlesque and greeted 2013 with plenty of lovely shows during what is usually a quiet, boring month!

February

 

This month I travelled back to my home-town for a show which gave me the chance to hang out with my besties, Jade and Hayley! I had a handful of lovely shows in London and went out for brunch... a lot...

March

 

March was pretty quiet but highlights included performing at a private birthday party with some lovely performer friends, and I achieved one of my New Years Resolutions to go horse-riding!

April

 

 

April was a packed and wonderful month! Highlights included 'The Absolute Bankers' performing at Proud Cabaret, The Burlesque Show tour to Scotland, performing at Kinky and Quirky, one of the best shows in the UK, and a Burlesque night out on a private tour of the Tower Of London!

May

 

My favourite show this month was a private party with Ministry of Burlesque in a glorious marquee with a stellar cast

And I went back to brunette!! Bye bye blondie!

June

*Obviously* the highlight of the month was my birthday, which included a trip to the gorgeous Carters Steam Fair, The Tower Of London and The Royal Albert Hall!

July

 

July saw the beginnings of the bonkers adventure that has become Burlesque On Ice! We also had a heat wave, I hosted a show for the first time and performed all over the country!

August

 

During August, the heat wave continued, skating lessons began in earnest, I travelled up and down the country again, and I opened an Etsy shop!

September

During this packed month the Cabaret community came together again for Cabariot 2, I continued to run around like a blue-bottomed fly, and welcomed the beginnings of Autumn with some slightly cooler weather!

October

 

A funny month of two insanely busy weeks and two completely dead weeks! However I performed in a gorgeous Speigeltent with Lili La Scala, and *finally* got the hang of ice-skating, after how many months!

November

 

 

An exceptionally busy month which apparently included a holiday to Italy, though I didn't particularly feel as though I had a break as I also modelled for Kiss Me Deadly, performed for the fabulous Chrystal Cabaret at the Hippodrome Casino and joined Burlesque On Ice for the opening of Westfield Ice Rink! I  was also honoured to join the cast of the amazing Simon Drake's House of Magic as a magicians assistant! Phew....

December

Yes, December's been busy. Yes, there have been lots of shows, shoots, promo activities and various shenanigans. But you know what? The highlight of December is, and always will be, putting the Christmas tree up.

It's been a year of ups and downs, as so many of our years are. But I'm honoured to be doing a job I love, living in a city I love and having amazing friends around me all the time. So thank you to everyone who has made this year, and every year, so wonderful; and here's to a spectacular 2014!
xx