HONK! And so how do you celebrate a slightly non-conformal Sunny Colch Christmas? By getting your kit off [in a very tasteful style] with the LOVELY ladies of Helles Belles Burlesque at The Minories.
Hurrah!
We’ll blag a front row seat for that [in a very tasteful style. Phew.]
Remember: burlesque is all about celebrating the body and using your imagination in an artistic way. Which sorta fits in with The Minories location where the HB Burlesque ladies will next be teasing with the tassels on 22nd December.
And don’t even a joke about pulling a cracker.
Yet.
You may remember how HB Burlesque first formed over the summer months. No one was suggesting that Sunny Colch was a hotbed of burlesque, but BLIMEY – the response around the town has been brilliant.
Abandoning momentarily the international language of titular tease, Miss Fanny Darling took time out once again to speak with The Chronic.
How the chuffers are you, Fanny Darling and how many shows is this? We’re run out of fingers and thumbs to count on:
“This is our third show run by ourselves, and our sixth appearance in Colchester as a burlesque troupe.”
We can think of worse nights out than watching some incredibly talented ladies tease and control the crowd, but were you expecting such a brilliant reception in Britain’s Oldest Recorded?
“We were hoping it would be this popular when we set it up in the summer. We’ve had roughly fifty people to our shows at the Judge and Jury and we’re hoping to smash that for our Christmas event at the Minories.”
What has been ACE to watch over recent months has been the ethos of putting on a show. Not in a Doug E Fresh style (ask yer Uncle) but the dedication to the minor details that the HB Ladies have been paid such close attention to.
It’s not simply a case of turning up, pressing play and doing the deal.
Nope.
An evening out with HB Burlesque transports you to a more refined, civil period where it wasn’t all about some pervy up skirt shot as you stumble out of a taxi at 2am in the morning along the High Street.
Dressing up (and down), music and ambience – all of these will once again be in place at The Minories on the evening of the 22nd December. Audience members are encouraged to ditch the Reeboks in favour of something a little more refined; DJ Suki will once again be spinning records. Cocktails will be called for.
Chin chin.
It’s also encouraging to see how the various venues around Sunny Colch have also embraced burlesque. The Judge and Jury, Slack Space and now The Minories.
Tell us more, Miss Fanny:
“Our Slack Space event was very informal with a handful of attenders and performers. This night was actually more of an Open Mic for burlesque so it was fantastic to see the community support the emerging talent.
We met the fantastic Burlesque Jems who provide lessons and support around Essex. Connecting with them means more ladies can learn the art and attend an upcoming Scratch to hone their solo skills. Keep your eyes peeled for Polly Esther Pants and Vanessa Storm, the stars of our Scratch Night.
For the Minories we’re going to have a sit down affair rather than the standing up club night style seen at J & J. They’re setting up a bar and obviously there will be lots of dancing after we’ve gone on stage. Each venue has been really supportive and it’s exciting to see more of the vintage, burlesque, cabaret and alternative club night ladies and gentlemen emerge for the shows.”
Learning the art of burlesque is not as simple as stepping in (or out) of your jim jams each evening. The clothes are often secondary – the story and the tease are what count. What have Miss Fanny and her friends been doing to keep it… fresh?
“Each show we’re always generating new acts. We can’t seem to stop coming up with ideas! This show is very Christmassy themed with lots of glitter, fake snow and surprises jumping out of presents. We’re always picking up new vintage items to work with, discovering lingerie we love or simply making our own tassels and props. The original acts stay in storage to use for appearances at other shows, events or even private parties. Each act will get uploaded to our new site very soon so watch this space!”
And so The Minories, three days before Christmas and a fully blown burlesque troupe to entertain.
Um, tassels or tinsel?
“We won’t be replacing the tassels for tinsel… We’ve got to make sure we have something to swing and titillate you with!”
The lovely Helles Belles Burlesque ladies will be performing at The Minories on 22nd December. Doors are at 8pm, £5 admission.
Dress to impress.
Miss Fanny Darling will.
One Comment
Awesome addition to Colchester culture. I am doing a leaflet run promoting them from this evening onwards in parts of Colchester.