Countdown to Christmas

True to form, December has been a very busy month!

Still found time to put the Christmas tree up though!

It was strange coming back to Burlesque after such a long time away - I wasn't even sure I'd remember how to do it! I mean, sure, I know how to take my bra off, I still do it most days; but in time to music, one handed, holding a pair of feather fans, while people watch... hmmm...

  

With the gorgeous Sasha Flexy ** Mirror Picture! With Missy Fatale and Veronica Blacklace

But, while much has changed (and maybe that's a subject for another blog?), some things haven't changed, and one of those things is how welcoming the cabaret world is. I've had Facebook messages from people welcoming me back, and glitter-covered hugs at backstage reunions; I've reconnected with some of the best people on the planet, and met new (to me) performers who are simply wonderful.

 

Backstage with Ruby Deshabille and Adama (I'm obviously just happy to be here...) ** Outside Proud Cabaret with some of the best people...

I have to admit I was a bit scared to come back; would anyone remember me? Would I get booked? Will audiences tastes have changed and no one would like me? But I needn't have worried, and now I wonder why I left it so long! I had my reasons for stepping away, and I have my reasons for coming back. But I also had reasons why I dithered for a time while I considered it, and I'm so glad I made the decision.

Back in the land of London Cabaret

So, here's to a fabulous Christmas, a wonderful New Year, and a packed 2018.

Bring on the bubbly wine!

She's Back...

I'm back, beauties!

It's been two and a half years since I hung up my tassels - though it's been a lot longer than that since I last posted a blog here.

But, I started to miss performing, so I decided that it was time for me to pop on my heels and make my way back to the stage; and what lovelier place to come back to than Proud Cabaret in Brighton.

Dolly Rockets on stage at Proud Brighton

I have to say I was actually terrified (though it was Halloween so rather apt!) I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to perform any more!

But, it went well, I think... At least I didn't fall over, and everything came off when it was supposed (and stayed on where it was supposed to!) so that's a win in my book.

Nervous! Waiting to go on stage...

Backstage I had the gorgeous ladies Cherry DeVille and Violet Blaze to look after me, and the beautiful GM Carmen was on hand to ply me with gin and give me hugs!

 

Stolen from Proud Brighton's Instagram

So, I have a few more shows before the end of the year, which is exciting, and I'm taking bookings for the rest of 2017 and beyond... mostly I'm so looking forward to glitter-covered reunions with some of the best people!

Gilding the Lili

I am absolutely covered in bruises this week! Sparkly showgirl, magic rehearsal, ice-skating bruises admittedly, but bruises nonetheless!

Sparkles!

I had a week off from 'real life' work this week, ostensibly to have a bit of a break, yet I ended up with more to do than I would have done if I'd have stayed on! But it has been fabulous fun, so I'm not complaining at all!

Skates on!

On Monday and Tuesday I took myself off to the ice-rink for Burlesque On Ice rehearsals. And, not to get ahead of myself or anything, but I think I'm *finally* starting to get the hang of this ice-skating malarkey! In the past I've had the issue that, when I look at a move, I know I can do it - my brain goes 'yep, I can totally see how that needs to be done', but my feet go 'nope!' Like my body didn't get the memo from my brain. However, in the last week or so I've started to get my head around some of the moves I was having mental blocks on (i.e. all of them) and work on some new, slightly harder things. Which is all good! Full credit for this definitely goes to Hollie Deller (who is playing the lead in the show!) who doesn't take any crap and just forces me to try things that I think I'd usually try and wiggle out of!

Burlesque On Ice - Tickets on sale NOW!

What wasn't so great was me throwing my hip out like an old lady! All the skating is exacerbating old issues I first encountered during college when I was dancing all-day, every-day, but thanks to having these things happen before I know what to do to try and make sure it doesn't happen again! Fingers Crossed!

Monday evening was an event I had been looking forward to for a while - a Cabaratiparti!! In honour of the unveiling of the Cabarevolution video, that I blogged about a few weeks ago, the organisers of the London Cabaret Festival hauled half of the performers in London to Proud Cabaret for a party! And it was wonderful!

Cabarevolution!!

On Tuesday evening I was in rehearsals for the amazing Simon Drake's House of Magic! I'm making my debut in this incredible show on the 2nd November and although my role is quite small it's insanely physical and takes split-second timing to get right. I felt like I'd been put through a Navy Seals bootcamp on Wednesday morning!
I'm so excited to be in this show - I have always been fascinated by magic and illusion and to be a part of such a renowned show is terrifying and wonderful at the same time!

So excited for this show!

Wednesday was a day of tending to my injuries and working on two new acts - one that I have the music and choreography for and just need to get the costume finished, and another that I have a complete costume for and no idea for music or movement!
My wonderful boy bought me a bunch of roses to help me recover from my bruises; roses are my favourite flower and the birth flower for June, which is nice! I also got new slippers! I know that's not really blog-worthy but I love them and it's my blog so deal with it.
I mentioned last week that I had signed up for NaNoWriMo and I got to work on the story planning and structure, ready to begin in earnest on the 1st November! I have the story and development all set out now, and a chapter plan as well so I'm excited to begin writing!

 

Roses! ** Sleepy Cat

 

NaNoWriMo ** Leopard PJ's and Slippers!

On Thursday, after a morning skating session, I headed off to the beautiful city of Canterbury for The Gilded Lili in the gorgeous Speigeltent at the Canterbury Festival. I did Lili's show at the Milton Keynes Festival last year and it's always a fabulous night. We were in a gorgeous venue and an amazing show - created, curated and hosted by the wonderful Lili La Scala the line-up was incredible, featuring The Boy With Tape On His Face, Mat Ricardo, Abi Collins, Ash Frith and Chantilly Lace. Just lovely! Apart from me having a little bit of a brain fart regarding my act and not even realising I hadn't finished it properly until I had left the stage! What is wrong with me?! Must be getting old :P

Gorgeous Speigeltent at Canterbury Festival

 

Two Mirror Pictures! With Ash Frith, Mat Ricardo, Lili La Scala, The Boy With Tape On His Face, Chantilly Lace and Abi Collins!

I don't know why it amused me that hotels *still* put bibles in the bedside tables.

I stayed over in Canterbury on Thursday night in a lovely little hotel and, after a *huge* breakfast headed back to London for an exciting interview at lunchtime. I spent the afternoon on the ice, trying to avoid kids on half-term and kamikaze hockey skaters - seriously I hate those guys.

Quote from Kristi Yamaguchi

Friday and Saturday I was back at Proud Cabaret for a lovely couple of shows with a whole lot of the usual Proud suspects (literally, as Friday night is Murder Mystery night!) It was a fabulous way to round off a stellar week!

The Silencing of Miss Scarlet

 

Friday Mirror Pictures! Mat wants to be the centre of attention! ** With Taz Zebrowski, Mat Ricardo, Beau Rocks, Teddy Boylesque and Jolie Papillon!

Saturday Mirror Picture! With Dee Riley, Helen Orford, Lili La Scala, Taz Zebrowski and Jolie Papillon!