High Tease

On the night before the Cabaret Festival, Edinburgh’s sassy, sophisticated High Tease dashes to Glasgow’s Fruitmarket, promising “a frenzy of bawdy antics, sex appeal and musical comedy”.

As co-promoter Sunday Blue points out, “High Tease focuses firmly on the very best of new variety and crafty burlesquing:  traditional entertainment delivered with 21st-century sass and high production values.  Its unique format ensures a slick and seductive pace.” The notorious Battle of Burlesque pits new acts in combat, while the popular Movers and Shakers showcases tomorrow’s headliners.

The line-up is exhaustive - Kittie Klaw (the founding lady of High Tease, really embodies the spirit of burlesque, funny and titillating), Des O’Connor (future Fringe superstar), Jim Devereuax (This Is Elvis), alongside the internationally acclaimed Missy Malone and a cast of thousands.

Compere Dusty Limits takes up the story: “Comparisons with other shows are invidious, but the fact that I'm hosting it makes it outstanding, obviously.” Even the west coast doesn’t frighten Dusty. “I've always found Glasgow audiences up for a laugh, more so than London audiences, who can be a little too cool. But I do have a couple of my favourite acts to pull out of the bag. One involves simulating sex with a chair. That should go down well.”

Doubling up with the swinging sounds of Vegas, this night of a thousand stars combines cabaret and late-night dancing. Cool grooves, glamorous guys and girls, and a compere who simulates intercourse with furniture: a shotgun wedding of glamour and humour.