London Burlesque Festival: Thursday April 3rd

Tiara Diamond (c) Master David @londonfetishscene.com

Tiara Diamond

The London Burlesque Festival is over for another year, leaving behind a trail of feathers and glitter in it’s wake…

And what a festival it was this year! For those of you at Tiger, Tiger and Bush Hall, there’s a very good chance you would have seen me!

First up - Tiger Tiger…

After rehearsals on Thursday I went into the dressing room, plugged in my tongs and attempted (somewhat successfully) to barrel curl all of my hair onto the top of my head and smoothed my make-up on so I’d be as ready as possible when I arrived at the venue. When I got there I stood about a bit, not knowing what to do with myself and feeling like a bit of a lemon. But then I met the lovely Earl Okin who had just finished a sound-check and made me feel right at home.

When Agent Lynch came in a second or two later I knew I’d be fine. We’d met before after a performance of hers at Volupte but I didn’t want to come in with ‘Hello! Remember me?’ as I was sure she wouldn’t, so I kept my mouth shut. In the toilets putting my false eyelashes on I bumped into her again.

‘So what act are you doing tonight?’
‘Barbarella…’
‘Oh great! I haven’t seen that one yet!’
‘Didn’t I meet you before…?’

Last time we met I was saying how much I wanted to see her Barbarella routine, and turns out she did remember me! Next up I was introduced to Alaska Blue who was doing the pick-up with me, who had on a fabulous flamingo hat, and turned out to be equally as lovely. Sean from ‘Beyond the Cabaret’ filled me in on my duties for the night and we began sorting out the reserved tables for the guests. There was a slight hiccup at the sponsors table (not enough seats!) but with some re-jigging we were able to get everyone sorted out in time for the show. And by golly we were packed!

It was a great line-up; Agent Lynch, Dangerous Dolly, Stella Plumes, Roxy Velvet, Chrys Columbine, Foxtrot India and the amazing Vicky Butterfly (now there’s a performer worth seeing!) and more! I must admit I was a little star-struck. Watching in the wings I got to see some first-rate burlesque dancers, and I was increasingly pleased with myself for having offered to help out. Aside from a few disgruntled patrons that weren’t able to see the show properly (bearing in mind the place was packed!) we had an incredibly successful night - with all items removed being returned to their rightful owners!

The midnight show meant I got to see Vicky Butterfly’s Peacock Act plus a whole lot more wonderful performances, and for £5 entry, the audience most certainly got themselves a bargain! With the club not a particularly renowned venue for burlesque we got the occasional few asking what on earth was going on downstairs as they got a glimpse of some sparkle and skin; but more than a couple of them went off to buy their tickets to get a better look!

It would seem that with burlesque taking over London on the 3rd of April, there was no escaping it for the general public. So why not give in and be fabulous for an evening? You’ll have a whole lot of fun!

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