Review: Blackpool Burlesque

The people of Backpool do not do things by halves. So when a burlesque show which focuses on the subtle art of tease comes to town, how does it fare? I had premonitions of young girls surrounded by balding men, pint in hand, shouting ‘get yer tits out’! Having attended previous burlesque shows only in Manchester, I had doubtful expectations on what Blackpool has to offer and they were more than wrong.

Blackpool Burlesque is a new entertainment show, playing every other month at West Coast Rock Café, and a pioneer to the growing Blackpool art scene. It is a show poles apart from the standard Blackpool nightlife. Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by the 50’s dressed matriarch of Blackpool Burlesque, Kosmic Kitty. Although she has been a burlesque artist for years, she was excited to see a new face.

The chairs were set out around candle lit tables beneath a small stage, setting an intimate and cosy mood. Even the staff donned burlesque styled up-dos, circle dresses and red lipstick to add a real dimension to the night. The host, performer Leon Noir instructed us with only one rule: not to heckle or boo the performers, but to cheer, encourage and keep the vibe positive.

They each came on for a ten minute set, all educating the audience in the wide variety of girls, clothes, music and sketches that can come together to create a burlesque act. There were tall, small, large, thin, old and young all celebrating the female form, yet leaving much to the imagination. In my mind, corsets, feathered fans and nipple tassles are the only tools of the burlesque trade. However, the performers came on dressed as rockstars, highwaymen, geishas and even storm troopers.

I also learnt that there are different types of Burlesque, such as ‘cheesecake’- a high energy act, known for lavish glitzy costumes and comedy value. Manchester artist Bella Donna Berry gave an entertaining cheesecake act which involved accidently burning her bra whilst making cupcakes.

But the highlight of the evening was ‘Boy-lesque’- the name given to male burlesque performers. For Ian Kognito, it was his first performance to the public. Dressed all in black as a samurai ninja, he left the stage in little but nipple tassles and a samurai mask covering his modesty. Being a predominantly female art, the boy-lesque performers gathered the most encouraging cheers and immediately banished any awkwardness between either gender. There was also a prize for the best dressed in the audience, which was secretly judged by the staff.

I left the show feeling greatly entertained, and proud that shows as creative as this feel that they can now come to Blackpool. Blackpool Burlesque is fun, hilarious and full of sass, and I’d recommend it to anyone who is thirsty for local creativity. The burlesque team also offer burlesque classes for beginners. If you go, you might find your calling!

The next Blackpool Burlesque show is on 1 September 2012 at West Coast Rock Café.