Films to see before you strip…

Okay, so you all know I wrote a stage adaptation of The G-String Murders by Gypsy Rose Lee… but have any of you seen the film? ‘Lady of Burlesque‘ sees our ecdysiastic heroine replaced with Barbara Stanwyck’s Dixie Daisy (I called my lead Dixie Lee!) who gets up to the same crime solving adventures as our own Gypsy does in the book. Although not the greatest film in the world; it’s a wonderful insight into the world of American Burlesque houses in the 1930’s/40’s for anyone without the time or patience to read the book. As with most risque films of the period (Tod Browning’s classic ‘Freaks‘ as a prime example) the censors went to town and deemed it too racy for contemporary audiences.

If you have read the book then you’ll realise just how tame it is – especially to modern eyes that have seen the likes of ‘Showgirls‘ and ‘Striptease‘! In the book there were inferences of lesbian police officers and the methods required to stop your breasts from dropping – none of that for Miss Stanwyck though! The end of the film, despite its age, still chills me to the bone just as the book does (the book more so… there’s talk of stuffing a body into a dressmakers dummy…) and I have to say it’s worth watching for any Burlesque aficionado.

When talking about BurlyQ films how could I not mention one of my all time favourites? Right up there with ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes‘ and ‘Gigi‘ for it’s feel-good factor and musical score; the wonderful life story of one of my favourite gals – ‘Gypsy!‘ (the Natalie Wood version of course…) Based on her memoirs it recounts the story of Rose Hovick, a very famous stage mother who pushed her girls into the limelight whatever the consequences. The result? Miss Gypsy Rose Lee, who as we all know boys and girls – became possibly the biggest name Burlesque had ever seen. Unless you’re a big fan of Bette Midler and prefer filmed versions of Musicals to actual films – I’d suggest not bothering with the remake – it really doesn’t stand up in comparison.

Of course one thing left out of the musical was the speculation that Rose Hovick was actually a lesbian that shot and killed her lover, amongst other things… but I guess that wouldn’t sell as well in 1962!

My advice? Get dressed up in your favourite frock – pour yourself a glass or two of something bubbly – and indulge in an evening of some vintage Burlesque. It. feels. fabulous!

Cabaret and Burlesque Meetup

Okay so I think I briefly mentioned the Cabaret and Burlesque meetup before, but I should probably fill you in on more of the details since I myself will be performing there!

The monthly meetups have been running for just over a year now out of Madam JoJos in Soho (where yours truly was lucky enough to perform…) and are basically a platform for like-minded people, promoters, performers and fans of Cabaret and Burlesque to catch up over a cocktail and meet and greet. The lovely Catherine Crawley (of the Rubadub Social Club) has been ever so clever in setting them about and putting together a great line up time and again. Unfortunately I missed the one year anniversary with the 1940’s military theme (victory rolls well and truly on the menu) but I will however be lucky enough to perform at their new venue over on Brick Lane… that’s Vibe Live at the Truman Brewery for anyone not paying attention last time!

It really is a night with such a lovely atmosphere – I’ve said it time and time again, but those BurlyQ folks are some of the friendliest and welcoming that I’ve had the pleasure to meet. I took my friend Jaz along for her first taste of Burlesque, and over the space of one evening and a crazily low entry price; she got to see the likes of Agent Lynch who popped over to say hello, Annette Betty, Femme Ferale and the return of drag legend Ruby Venezuela. Her favourite were Femme Ferale who did their 40’s military act… but I have to say I am biased and went for Agent Lynch’s Barbarella as mine!

So if you lovely people want to come along for an affordable night out in one of the trendiest parts of London (what else would you be doing on a Thursday evening…?) and see some top notch performers to boot, then I thoroughly suggest you try and make it down. If the promise of my new business cards wasn’t enough to tempt you then surely my heartfelt recommendation should do the trick.

And er… mine’s a glass of white thanks darlings…!

Full Shimmy Ahead!

Well my darlings, how’s tricks? I don’t know about you – but I have been busy busy busy! First up I’ve been getting together my Myspace so please come and add me as a friend as it is a very slow business! Still need to work on the aesthetics but it’s just somewhere to direct people to for now… And more pictures coming as and when I perform!

As for that, I will be performing my act ‘Billet doux’, which had it’s premier at The Amersham Arms; as part of the Cabaret and Burlesque Meet-up on July 3rd on Brick Lane. Of course, no Smooch Rocks this month so you’ll have to miss out on the PVC for a little while… Here’s a little teaser of what to expect on the 3rd though:

So what can we deduce from these pictures? Well there’s a glove and a man and a chair involved… but I won’t say in which order… Expect a couple of differences though… namely the man (I just get bored once the presents wear off!) and a couple of changes that come with time and practice. So if you want catch my act or catch up with me about some unpaid bills(!) then I will be performing and generally loitering around the Vibe Live at the Truman Brewery on BrickLane on Thursday the 3rd of July!

Right then – enough plugging out of the way… Although I must add I will be in possession of my fab new MOO business cards, with a different picture on each (I like to think of them as old-school cigarette cards… Adelaide Adams anyone?) and all with my contact deets for potential bookers and promoters. If that sounds like you then be sure to get there sharpish and choose your favourite!

In other news I have completed my degree in Acting for Stage and Media… entering the big scary world of actual proper jobs (which are harder to find than you might think!) so if you don’t hear from me for a while I’m probably out on the streets somewhere singing torch songs for cash… Ah the joys of being a penniless performer!

Rita!

Ok my lovelies – so they’ve been a long time coming but here are some of the shots from my Rita Hayworth photo shoot…

So not as good as the real thing (Ms. Hayworth was a stunner!) But the inspiration was there… Whaddya think?

Tiara x

Alas…

More bad news I’m afraid. After realising that the Avacadolls were no longer in the running at Food 2.0 (Thanks to all who voted in vain…) It now appears that Smooch Rocks at the Devonshire Arms in Camden is to be no more. I had a ball performing there last month, but the date on the 20th is to be cancelled, as are future dates with Smooch Rocks at that particular venue.

As soon as the pictures from May come through, I’ll post them up so you can all see what you missed the first (and only!) time round. So I now have two rock burlesque acts up my sleeve and not a stage to put them on! As always – you can contact me at tiaradiamond@hotmail.co.uk for bookings or for further information on the acts I have available… Sigh…

Ska Burlesque @ The Amersham Arms

As promised to all those lovelies that voted for me (click here and vote if you haven’t already!) here are some pictures of last night’s performance – which you should have all seen by the way!:

Me and my man… ahhh… So we arrive on the stage so I can show off my new outfit and he goes and sticks me with a bill for it all! Of course with no cash in my wallet I have to give it all back to him. Just as well he prefers me without my clothes on!

BUMP

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http://www.webjam.com/nom_nom_nom/team_5

Pretty, pretty please? And next I promise you some proper bumps (the ones that go with grinds!)

(Incidentally – I’ll be performing tomorrow night at Ska Burlesque at the Amersham Arms in New Cross… since this is my BurlyQ Blog and all!)

VOTE FOR ME!! x x x