Bang Tidy

This weekend saw me heading up to Leeds for the wonderfully named show "Bang Tidy Burlesque" run by the indomitable Heidi Bang Tidy.

Backstage with Lilly Laudanum and Anna Fur Laxis

I was performing my act 'Snowstorm' for the final time before retiring this act - I have had it for so many years and I never felt it was working quite the way I wanted it too, so time to hang it up and concentrate on new ventures. However the show was fabulous and it was lovely to see so many old friends. I even got a few pictures back from the night already!

 

 

Pictures from 'Corbeau' and 'Snowstorm' by Laurie Cooper-Murray

Quote of the night came from Anna Fur Laxis: "Shall I show you how to kerb a mother-f**ker?"

I took a trip to Brighton this week to visit Louise O'Mahony who makes my costumes - we're working on a few new ones so it was time to get measured while wearing my tightlacing corset to make sure the dresses fit! Louise is fabulous and also runs my favourite vintage dress company 'Oh My Honey' 

 

A windy day on Brighton Pier

 

Sneak peek of my new costume bits...

I also managed to have a day off this week, and took advantage of it to go to the National Portrait Gallery with the beautiful Dolly Rose to visit the Marilyn Monroe exhibition.

 

Now those of you who watch the television abomination that is The X Factor will be aware of the head judge, Gary Barlow, using the words "Too Cabaret" to critique a singer that he believes is sub-par. The cabaret community didn't take too well to this insult, and so, organised by Frisky and Mannish, came together for a Cabariot Protest Video...

9:30 *A.M.*?? With Benjamin Louche, Joe Black, Vicky Butterfly, Coco DuBois, Victor Victoria, and Mat Ricardo

It was a long, tiring but utterly fabulous day with the cream of London Cabaret performers, all coming together in a cacophony of gospel vocals. We had brainwashing, sequins, passionate solos, convenient lighting changes, pizza, knives, witty one-liners, makeovers, endless tea, and lots and lots of giggling. 

 

Cabarati Assemble! ** Coco and Caroline take advantage of Joe's doughnuts...

 

Joe Black ** Vicky Butterfly

 

Laurie Hagen and Sally ** Mat Ricardo

I can't wait to see the final result... I shall post it here when it's ready! In the meantime, Mat has also written a blog about the Caberiot, with much better photos than mine! You can have a read of that here...

xx

La Belle and BurlyQ

Another weekend, another jaunt half way around the country!

On Thursday I was back down in London, on a beautiful Spring day for the penultimate 'Bete Noire' show at Madame Jojo's in Soho.

Madame Jojo's, Soho

I was performing in the early show 'La Belle' alongside the wonderful Abi Collins, Javier the Card Ninja and Dee Riley (we did our 'All That Jazz' double act, which was great fun!) Both the early show and 'La Bete' the late show were hosted by Ophelia Bitz who I was excited to meet having heard so much about her! The show was stage-managed by The Late Night Shop Cabaret who also performed at the late show - and I actually got to stay and watch for once, which was fabulous!

Backstage with Apple Tart, British Heart, Dee Riley and Ophelia Bitz

Apple Tart and Allota Bounce of The Late Night Shop

On Friday I was back again at the beautiful Proud Cabaret in the City - the show was hosted by my High Tease partner-in-crime Dolores Delight, and since we hadn't seen each other since Christmas, we definitely had a lot to catch up on!

Dolores Delight backstage

Also performing on Friday night was another of my favourite cabaret performers, Mat Ricardo, along with the beautiful Missy Fatale and Ruby Luscious, visiting from Stockholm!  - I adore performing at Proud as the staff and management team all get into the spirit of the night so the whole night feels like a step back in time to a decadent Speakeasy or Weimar cabaret!

On Saturday I journeyed back North-wards for another of my favourite shows: BurlyQ in Sheffield:

BurlyQ cake!

The show always sells out, and the audience raised the roof! They were treated to a stunning line-up: including Red Sarah debuting her unique 'Betty Boob' act, and Fred Bear performing his signature 'Flashdance' which almost brought the house down! I was also excited to meet Dinah Might (who is so beautiful I couldn't speak for a while!) and the hysterical Kiki Lovechild, whose 'Jessica Blue' act had me in stitches! As if that wasn't enough, Mr. B was headlining the night, and he gave me a copy of his new CD 'The Tweed Album' !!

With Dinah Might, Mr. B and *so* much luggage!

After a hectic weekend, I took advantage of the beautiful weather to visit friends and family in Chester: the best way to revive is with an ice-cream and a stroll through Grosvenor Park and onto the River Dee... followed of course by a lovely meal and a couple of drinks as the sun sets!

Sunset over Chester meadows - Town Hall and Cathedral in the distance