And so Burlesque is coming to Britain’s Oldest Recorded.
Blimey.
We say coming – actually, it’s already here. The Helles Belles Burlesque troupe is a bunch of local girls that rather like the art of dressing up / down coupled with seduction. Forget any of your sleazy prejudices – the aim here is to entertain and celebrate the female artistic form.
Phew.
The first show from the HB girls takes place at the Judge and Jury along Magdalen Street on 2nd August. The event is being put together as a collaboration between artists and audience. The theme is very much one of dressing up – anyone coming along on the night is encouraged to ditch the chinos in favour of something classier from the 20′s – 50′s period.
And so who exactly are the Helles Belles Burlesque girls of Britain’s Oldest Recorded?
Ahh – that would be telling. But we did manage to get some background on the troupe from Fanny Darling [NOT HER REAL NAME. Probably.]
“We are four girls who love the art of burlesque, dressing up, having fun. Our aim was to set up a night similar to the many cabaret/ burlesque nights we’ve enjoyed from various locations we’ve lived and worked; London, Cornwall, Cambridge.
The group originally met at 15 Queen Street, set up by host Miss Scarlet Lovealot. Local girls were invited to join in and get involved. Holly High Heels and Mademoiselle Emmanuelle have had experience performing before – Holly as Burlesque, Emmannualle as a dancer.
Miss Scarlet and I are new to the scene. I’ve had a few performance art experiences – I was on the fourth plinth in London and set up my own plinth in Cambridge. Miss Scarlet has previously been a model for hair shows, tattoo conventions and as a suicide girl.”
So not exactly shy about coming forward then. But it’s a fine line to break down those misguided beliefs about the art of burlesque and rowdy blokes acting inappropriately.
Who is the Judge and Jury show aimed at?
“The show is aimed at local Colchester folk, young and old, men and woman alike, who enjoy cabaret, threatre, the female form, and a type of burlesque that isn’t about corset and feather boas. We invite you dress in your Sunday best and enjoy a night of vintage tunes from 1920′s to 1950′s. The local creative crowd that we know and love so much about will enjoy it. It’s celebrating and supporting a new type of evening out.”
Which sounds like the perfect excuse for The Chronic to finally get strapped up in that slacks ‘n braces spivs look that we recently bought from the ACE Hangar 39 along Osborne Street. The temptation is there to take them off again, in a purely artistic style you understand.
Steady the buffers.
But it’s not all about watching or participating. The Helles Belles Burlesque girls are keen to expand around Sunny Colch.
Fanny Darling added:
“If there are any ladies who would like to join the troupe. We would love to meet you and help you get up on the stage having fun. We’re also looking for girls to warm up the crowd, walk around dressed up, holding signs, whooping and cheering. Anyone is welcome. Please just drop us a tweet: @HBBurlesque or message on our Facebook page.”
Entry for the Judge and Jury HB Burlesque event is only £4 in advance from the venue, or £5 on the door. A period piece DJ will be keeping the classic theme going, presumably on a pair of old gramophones hotwired together.
In the tried and tested old cliché of signing off these blog posts with a semi-witty retort, and hopefully involving alliteration, The Chronic now has an image of burlesque and Sir Bob of Sunny Colch in our head.
BLIMEY, etc.
