Theatre Week

I've been gallivanting around all week to various theatre shows and it's been fabulous!

I was excited to go and watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show in the glorious surroundings of The Royal Albert Hall, and had a bonkers fun evening!

 

 

At The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Emma!

Ice Skaters at The Natural History Museum on the way home

The next night I had a date night and we went to watch an interesting show called The Card Shark which was like a cross between a magic show, a gambling den and a lecture from a nutty professor!

The Card Shark Show at The Courthouse Hotel

My show this weekend was at the beautiful Proud Cabaret Brighton - it's such a gorgeous venue and the audiences are always lovely so it made up for the hellish journey there and the replacement rail buses on the way home!

 

Mirror Picture! With Mister Meredith and Coco Deville! ** Selfie with Cherry DeVille!

I've been having a lovely lazy Sunday relaxing and reading for my university course. I have another exciting week ahead so I'm recharging my batteries in preparation!

What? This is how I recharge!

Showgirl Magic

Is this my first proper 'What I've Been Up To' blog of 2014? I think it might be... I mean I wrote about New Years Eve but that was half in last year and doesn't really count, and the Resolutions post was more about what I *intend* to be up to... can you tell I'm tired?

So, hello! Welcome to 2014 - how's it been for you so far? I'm exhausted already!

This week has been lovely, if a little hectic: on Sunday I worked with Zebrowski Photography to create a sexy little teaser video for 'Psyche'... (more on that later) and take some promo shots.

Teaser video for Psyche...

 

My favourite images from the shoot

On Monday I was in skating rehearsals, getting back to grips with the ice after the Christmas break! It was great fun to be back with the Burlesque On Ice girlies and we all went for a coffee and lunch mid-skate which was lovely.

Tuesday was a day of meetings and running errands before heading to Simon Drake's House of Magic for a late Christmas show. It was great to meet the fabulous Lolo Brow properly at last as she joined the family for the night, and the show was as wonderful as ever! It's brilliantly bonkers to be part of such a fantastic show and I love it!

Mirror Picture! With Lolo Brow, Stevie and Beulah Bell!

On Wednesday I was back in 'real life' work, and had a bit of a brain-frying day, but it was followed up by a few cheeky, apres-work drinkies with Emma, my manager, which made me feel much more normal before I had to dash off to meet Antonia Lynch, the insanely talented costume designer for Burlesque On Ice, to discuss my costumes for the show. I'm very over-excited about them and can't wait!

After a quick coffee and a chat I had to dash off once again to meet the gorgeous Bruise Violet who has made me the most amazing chiffon boa for 'Psyche' - it's like a candy-floss explosion! Simply gorgeous!

We only had time for a quick hug and for me to pick up the boa before I had to jet back across London as one of my favourite people, Lili La Scala, had invited me to watch Black Cat Cabaret at the opulent Grill Room - the show was incredible; the cast was phenomenal, including Lili herself, Dusty Limits, Vicky Butterfly and the sensational Lady Rizo. I felt like I had been whisked to Paris during the Belle Epoque in such beautiful surroundings and it was a perfect way to end a busy day.

The ceiling of the Grill Room

At the weekend I was excited and nervous: finally debuting my new act, 'Psyche' at Proud Cabaret, City. It's been in development for over a year, since I first had the idea to finally getting my act together (excuse the pun) and performing the damn thing so lots of nerves as a year or so's worth of work came together...

Psyche

The act was inspired, in part, by the legendary Gypsy Rose Lee's signature routine 'Psychology of a Striptease Artist', in which she spoke to the audience about what was on her mind. I wanted to lift the lid on the glamour and seduction of burlesque and reveal what we actually think about while we're performing; contrasting the biggest cliches (over-the-top sparkly costume, the most obvious piece of music) with the mundane mind-wanderings of a performer who has done a routine so many times they can think about what to have for tea while seducing an audience...

Fortunately for my nerves, I performed alongside some wonderful people who were all very lovely about the fact that I lurched between petrified silence and verbal diarrhoea!

Mirror Picture! With Taz Zebrowski, Michael Standen, Betsy Rose and Joe Morose!

So that's that! The next few weeks are a whirlwind as we go into intensive rehearsals for Burlesque On Ice; and I can't wait!
xx

Bring On The Bubbly Wine!

Last shows before Christmas are done!! And the last mental week of the year is finally over - bring on the bubbly wine!

The week began, as usual, at the ice rink rehearsing for Burlesque On Ice - excitingly, this week, Sarah Christou and I choreographed my skating solo and it's going to be sex on skates!

My solo choreography!

Shows this week included several at Proud Cabaret, and House of Magic - all wonderful, if slightly exhausting with the end in sight.

 

Mirror Pictures! With Beau Rocks, Betsy Rose, Abi Collins, Taz Zebrowski and Paul Roberts!

  

Mirror Pictures! With Jamie Moon, Lili La Scala, Taz Zebrowski and Missy Fatale! ** With Adama, Taz, Glorian Gray, Mister Meredith, Betsy Rose and Michael Standen!

Mirror Picture! With Ruby Deshabille!

Christmas Cracker! Mister Meredith and Ronnie!

Merry Christmas Gif from Simon Drake's House of Magic!

I also took part in some early morning filming for an advert which will be shown in the new year - it was a long, slightly stressful day, but ultimately rather good fun.

Photo courtesy of Esme Aydin

Early morning call time... bleurgh!

Today I'm off to finish my Christmas shopping, buy wine and watch cheesy Christmas movies all evening! Blissful!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!
xx

Disney Princesses

Previous Disney Princess posts have focussed on the realism of the Princess themselves, but what about the costumes they are wearing? The Disney films are based on traditional fairy-tails, which were set in specific time periods, usually around the time they were first told. So the Princesses outfits should surely reflect the times in which they are set?

Now, artist Claire Hummel has re-imagined the Disney Princesses: creating for them beautiful gowns that fit the period the stories are based in...

Snow White

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves - 1937

A traditional Bavarian folk tale, the best known version is that of the Brothers Grimm, collected in 1812. It is set in 16th Century Germany (which is the most likely time-frame for the first appearance of the folk tale) and Hummel's version is based on fashions from the early 1500's

Cinderella

1950

The origins of this story are considered to be the Ancient Greek historian Strabo in the 1st Century AD. However the most popular version comes from Charles Perrault in 1697. Ballets and Pantomimes based on the tale gained popularity in the mid-1800's and it's this period that Hummel has depicted her Cinderella wearing to the ball as it bears the most resemblance to the time-period of the Disney film.

Princess Aurora

Sleeping Beauty - 1959

Based on a classic Brothers Grimm fairy story, the first translation was by French author Charles Perrault in 1697, however it was set much earlier in Medieval Europe. Hummel's version is based on French court fashion from the late 1400's.

Ariel

The Little Mermaid - 1989

Firs published as a ballet in 1837, Hummel states that Ariel's wedding gown in the Disney film with the 'embarrassing' 1980's sleeves was also reminiscent of the slash-sleeve evening gowns of the 1890's so this creation would not look out of place in a mid-century wedding dress

Belle

Beauty and the Beast - 1991

The first published version of the traditional tale 'La Belle et la Bete' appeared in France in 1740, although the abridged version gained more popularity towards the late 1700's. Hummel has created for Belle a ballgown in true, 18th Century French court fashion.

Princess Jasmine

Aladdin - 1992

One of the most popular tales from the legendary 'The Book of One-Thousand and One Arabian Nights' - Hummel has placed Jasmine within early 18th Century Persia: the first translation from Arabic was via French scholar Antoine Galland around 1709.

Pocahontas

1995

Based on the historical figure from the early 17th Century, the movie is very liberal with the actual facts (when the 'real' Pocahontas first met John Smith, she was around the age of 10!) however Hummel's depiction (apart from age!) is true to Native American dress of the period

Megara

Hercules - 1997

Hercules is the Roman adaptation of the Greek demi-god Herecles: he first appears around 350 BC however fashions of both empires were relatively similar and simple and this version of the mythological characters first wife (according to one version of the story he killed their four children in a fit of madness - not very Disney!) is simply elegant and beautiful - like a Doric column or marble muse.

**I know she's not an official Princess but she's the only non-princess in this series and I didn't want to mess up the chronology!**

Mulan

1998

Another example of Disney playing fast and loose with historical fact: Fa Mulan (the historical character) probably lived around 386-534 AD, however the Hun invasion of China took place much earlier (around 200BC) and both the clothing the characters wear and the Emperor's 'Forbidden City' is from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Given this historical confusion, Hummel has still created a beautiful costume reminiscent of the late Ming/early Qing dynasty fashions.

Tiana

The Princess and the Frog - 2009

The Disney film is based on 'The Frog Princess' by E.D. Baker from 2002, which in turn is based on 'The Frog Prince' by... you guessed it; The Brothers Grimm! Disney based their movie in 1920's New Orleans and Hummel has re-imagined Tiana's 'Princess dress' from the movie's finale as a true 20's Flapper dress.

Rapunzel

Tangled - 2010

Now, the story first appears written down in 1812 by the Brothers Grimm and is an adaptation of an earlier tale 'Persinette' from 1698, which in itself bears striking resemblance to a 10th Century Persian epic poem. However, Hummel describes her version as 'late regency... circa 1820' reasoning that the Disney version is not tied to any particular land or time, and I suppose it bears a little passing homage to the time period of the Brothers Grimm

Girl on Fire!

Well this has been a wonderfully busy week!

On Sunday, on a whim, I got my hair cut! A combination of regular bleaching, constant heat styling, industrial strength hairspray and a kitten who apparently likes to groom (eat) my hair while I sleep had left my crowning glory in a rather miserable state. So in a fit of pique I marched into the hairdressers and demanded they sort it out!

New Hair! *Very* short!

That evening I was attending the premier of the film 'Burlesque Assassins' starring a host of Burlesque beauties, including the gorgeous Kiki Kaboom.

With the lady of the evening before she was mobbed by adoring fans!

I'm not going to spoil the film for you; if you get chance to see it though, you really ought to! Very funny, silly, tongue-in-cheek in a classic B-Movie style: I laughed all the way through and Miss Kaboom was awesome! The cheer that went up; both in the opening credits when her name flashed up, and on her first appearance in the movie (hi-jacking an aeroplane if you were wondering) was brilliant!

The evening, at Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, was hosted by Ophelia Bitz and opened with a showing of several short films that had been made by members of the Burlesque and Cabaret scene, including East End Cabaret, Meow Meow, Frisky and Mannish and, of course, Kiki Kaboom. They also showed the 'Cabariot' video which got a huge cheer!

It was lovely to see so many of the London Cabaret scene come out in support of Kiki: there was a great atmosphere and everyone had a fabulous night.

 

Kiki in front of the closing credits ** Playing out after the film

On Monday I had made plans to conquer one of my fears: I am terrified of fire - even striking a match freaks me out a little! So naturally I decided to take a fire class with Red Sarah at The Fire School! 

I joined five others in a freezing warehouse in Hackney for a beginners lesson in body burning and fire eating. It was a real mix of people, from those who had obviously come straight from the office, to stay-at-home mums looking for something exciting to do, to those who wanted to progress to performance level.

Red Sarah showed us the basics of what we were going to learn, then worked individually with each of us on each step, going from holding the wick on our hands, then arms, then tongue then finally eating the fire! 

 

Red Sarah demonstrating basic and advanced fire tricks

At the start of the class, my biggest worry was actually a mental one; would my brain allow me to physically put fire on my skin or in my mouth?! However, with Red Sarah taking us through baby steps at a really relaxed pace, and with constant reassurance at every point, I actually did it! 

I didn't burn myself to a crisp, though I did smell like a barbecue and my tongue felt like I'd been eating really spicy vindaloo! I bought some fire sticks that Red Sarah makes herself; I just hope I'll be brave enough to practise without her supervising me all the way!

On Wednesday I was back with Red Sarah! This time we were both taking part at a very exciting film shoot - 'Burlesque 3D' !! I took my 'Peacock Dance' routine and Red Sarah had her 'Cherry Balloon' act, both of which should look great in 3D.

 

Waiting around on film sets

Very expensive, specialist 3D camera equipment - I wasn't allowed anywhere near it!

It was a very long, cold day, but a very exciting experience: I think I pulled muscles in my arms from performing my fan/isis wing act about ten times in a row, and all I could think was 'thank heaven they didn't ask for one of my pointe acts!' However it was great fun and I can't wait to see our acts on screen!

 

Red Sarah on stage and screen ** Mirror Picture!

After the film shoot, I dashed off to Proud Cabaret for a packed out Christmas show with a typically fabulous and festive line-up including Mat Ricardo, Electra and the gorgeous Sophia St. Villier!

Mirror Picture! With Jolie Papillon, Dan Serra and Lili La Scala

 

Messing around backstage

On Thursday I woke up to very exciting news: an interview I did a while ago has been featured in 'Vintage Life' magazine along with a picture of me performing at Proud, taken by Neil Lewis for Behind Burlesque!

Vintage Life - December 2012

It was lovely to feature alongside one of my good friends, Dolly Rose, talking about Proud Cabaret, performing Burlesque and our inspirations and beauty tips! It's the second or third time I've had photographs of me in Vintage Life, but the first time I've been interviewed for it so it's a huge honour to have an article in my favourite magazine!

On Saturday I had a lovely little show at a gorgeous Casino in the West End - I don't think the guests were quite prepared for Burlesque during their dinner, but it seemed to go down very well!

Beautiful 'Capones Hideaway' themed venue

The rest of the week has been filled with admin, new act research (I have a new one on the way that I'm *very* excited about!) and taking time out for coffee breaks and pink wine with some of my lovely friends. 

Coco DuBois Vogueing at Proud Cabaret!

With being so busy at the moment, I'm finding it more difficult than usual to relax and switch off. I was recommended by Lili La Scala to try hypnosis to overcome my insomnia, so I downloaded a couple of 'deep sleep' apps that she suggested. I didn't fall asleep during the recording, even though I listened to it twice, however once the second time round came to an end, I fell asleep straight away! Apparently this is pretty normal for people with completely sporadic sleeping patterns and it should get better in a week or so, so fingers crossed!