High Tease and Rockaburley
Rockaburley and High Tease both continued to push the boundaries of the current burlesque movement begging the exciting question; where will things lead in the coming year?
The dawn of a new decade always sparks thoughts change and things moving forward. And this reviewer has been doing just that following on from the end of 2009’s explosive burlesque scene.
Rockaburley saw a continuance in its reputation as the edgier night of burlesque with perception challenging routines from Cat Aclysmic and Malady de Winter proving particular highlights of the evening. Cat performed her ever-popular “Bearded Lady” routine to the audience’s delight while Malady pushed the political edge, with a thought-provoking piece around consumerism. And the entertainment didn’t end when the curtains closed with a dance-off between burlesque retro and the rock scene – proving compelling viewing for all involved.
The high standard of the end of last year didn’t end there, however, when the highly anticipated High Tease’s Christmas Carol Cabaret opened its doors at the Fruitmarket. This glamorous mix of burlesque and theatre indicated an exciting change of direction of burlesque, with a scantily clad arm moving into the theatrical world. Des O’Connor compered as Scrooge in the lavish production by Blond Ambition events with a stellar cast including the Ministry of Burlesque’s very own Gypsy Charms and Viva Misadventure.
Both nights are gripping examples of how the burlesque scene is moving forward, and I for one, am happily looking forward to sampling some of the new and stimulating directions it will move in, in 2010