Burlesque

by Helen Jones on 8.05.09

What do you get when you cross a stage full of semi-clad men and women, a Tom Jones impersonator, a magician’s assistant and a self-proclaimed ‘Mistress Bitch’? Just your average night at the Slippery Belle it would seem…

Over the years a phenomenon has been building, a craze has been sweeping the nation in a deliciously underground kind of way (the only way, in my opinion) and all of a sudden the word on everyone’s perfectly applied, red-lacquered lips is ‘burlesque’.

The Slippery Belle is a monthly burlesque night in Manchester that has been growing in popularity for the past two years and, following a recent raucous night of entertainment there, it’s easy to see why.

The origins of burlesque go back to the days of music halls and vaudeville, when the term encompassed all manner of novelty acts, not just the art of striptease that it is most commonly associated with today. Elements of burlesque from days gone by remain however, with burlesque acts being about far more than just getting your kit off – they don’t refer to it as ‘the art’ of burlesque for nothing. Costumes are lavish detailed affairs, with props, staging, and music all playing an essential role in creating the visual feast that culminates in a burlesque performance.

The eternally glamorous Dita Von Teese has been a forerunner in increasing the awareness of burlesque, reaching new heights following her much publicised marriage (and subsequent divorce) to Marilyn Manson. Thankfully, although weirdy, unreliable husbands come and go, the power of glamour and allure remain. Which is where the true joy of burlesque, and what it represents, can really be appreciated. Yes, Dita Von Teese may be the perfect pin-up girl who epitomises glamour down to her expertly powdered nose, but this is just a small part of it.

Burlesque is about confidence, it’s about doing something a little bit out of the ordinary with a swagger and a cheeky smile that has nothing to do with the size of your thighs and everything to do with confidence and sex appeal.

The Slippery Belle not only celebrates the physical joys of the ‘fairer sex’ but also those of the male persuasion – that’s right, I’m talking about boys! Non-discriminatory, a little bit daring, and very refreshing – exactly what we like here at 4Q.

And so it was with great anticipation that March’s Slippery Belle brought us ‘Girls vs Boys’ a burlesque-off that was a joy to behold for audience members of all persuasions. Male performers Mister Mistress and Duke Wayward held their own (and some) in performances that left little to the imagination. And in the spirit of keeping things interesting, the evening delivered a few other treats as well; a husky soul singer Coco Malone, a host of tricks by the creatively named ‘Mr Magic’ himself, and finally ‘Plum and the Tartlettes’; a cheesey singer complete with stripping backing dancers. It’s almost like I’m making this up, but this was most definitely not a gin-soaked vision. I’m not that creative.

The Slippery Belle is hosted by promoter and performer Bella Besame and is compered by the lasciviously erotic Rosie Lugosi, AKA ‘Mistress Bitch’, who is well worth the entrance fee alone. Next month’s Slippery Belle is taking place on Friday 17th April at Bookbinders on Minshull Street. The dress code can only be described as fabulous, so channel the inner 50’s goddess within (this applies to blokes too), strap on your dancing shoes, and prepare to be whimsically entertained.

www.myspace.com/theslipperybelleburlesque.