What doesn't kill you makes you stronger ~ Group Audition

Yet again I was in London but this time it was to audition for a burlesque group. 

I am a member of Starnow and even though there isn't always great stuff on there, I like to keep an eye out because...you never know. Last week I saw this post....A guy (lets call him Mr L.A) who used to live in L.A did burlesque acts & has moved over here to put a group of 5 girls together to do a act that could eventually tour (this is what I got from the post). So obviously, I applied. Thought it was a good way to get experience and it could maybe lead to something bigger & better. 

I was pleased to know I had been successful for the audition. I got an email & call to confirm this. Whilst Mr L.A was on the phone he explained a little bit about the project, what would happen in the audition & I had to prepare a 1-2 minute piece. He did mention it wouldn't be typical Burlesque, but when something is advertised Burlesque I still expected it.

So, preparing my piece. Because I teach a Burlesque "Fitness" class (well being a dancer, I have to incorporate routines into it) I decided to do a routine I had already choreographed. Mr L.A said it didn't need to be Burlesque but I thought it was the logical choice. The routine I chose to do was 'Sexy Silk' by Jessica Cornish, what I call a spotlight routine as it is a static/standing in a spotlight (not much sideway movements). I will be recording this routine so you can all see this in future. Me & my ladies LOVE this routine so I had to do it.

Day of the audition, I must admit I woke up late so had to rush around to get all my stuff together. But i did a classic pin up look with my make up (something again I will record in future). Its amazing what some red lipstick can do, I did get looks as I may have looked a bit Glam, but its better to be noticed & stand out! I also did red nails with white poka dots...LUSH!!

Probably not the best picture of me, but just so you get the idea!!

Audition time came. Seriously, the room the audition was in was TINY!!! Not much bigger then my living room & there was about 12-15 people to fit in AND dance. I decided to go for a Burlesque look too, suspender tights, hot pants & a red boob tube toped off with a waspie (which I used in my routine). Again, not the best angle but there were no full length mirrors!

Mr L.A explained about what the project was.....NOTHING to do with burlesque. He said that usually Burlesque dancers can't dance and he wanted to do something different/cutting edge. If you've seen Cabaret with Liza Minelli....More like that! The story hadn't been created and it would revolve/created around the dancers chosen. There would be 3 group dances, One solo per character & other variety acts. So from the start, it wasn't what was advertised.

The routine was choreographed by the choreographer/assistant director, AKA his Right Hand Man (but a girl). The RHM said she wasn't given much time to do the routine and it appeared like it was thrown together, it wasn't taught very well and it confused us all. It was taught in about 5 minutes and we performed it for them once, I'm not sure how they saw me as I was on the back & the lines weren't swopped.

So I thought I'd wow them with my routine. I thought it went really well & the comment I got was 'So you've obviously done Burlesque?!'....Well yeh! We had a little chat after and they clearly didn't look at my profile as details like my age, where I'm from were asked & shock horror I travelled from Peterborough to London for an audition!!!!

I would have heard by now if I got it, just a shame they don't bother to tell unsuccessful applicants after taking the time to go. I am not bothered, don't get me wrong it would have been great to get it or something like it but it wasn't Burlesque which is what my quest is all about. I know in myself that I did well & if it was Burlesque, I would of had a shot.....Oh well, what doesn't kill you makes you stonger!!

Fans & Sass Workshop

During my quest for Burlesque stardom, I have and will attend workshops, classes, anything to give me more experience and insight into what I want to do. A Burlesque performer called Missy Fatale, at the moment London based, holds one off workshops & training covering different elements of Burlesque. I did one a month or so ago with Sharon Davis leading as she specialised in Lindy hop.....a Burlesque performer too. 


That was a good workshop as i've never done the Lindy Hop. She did "drills" with basic steps incorporating different linking steps to make it different or fancy. She also taught us two different routines. The first was subtle & sexy, more of a "spotlight" routine so all focus is on you and the smallest of movements, using various key moves. For example, how to do a kiss blowing out to the audience, poses that are linked to past performers and (my favourite) moving the audiences focus from one important part to another......Very Sexy!! The second routine was a bit more RAHHHHH and in your face, throwing loads of shimmying and bull-she movements. Good contrast. 


Anyway, yesterday Missy & Banbury Cross (another Burlesque performer who is competing in a competition in Las Vegas next week) did an hour each teaching us to use & perform with Fans. Fan dancing is the trademark dance making it the most popular. Missy said it would never be a trademark routine just because its something everyone does. They taught us two different ways in which to do the same things. This was because Missy is more 1920's-30's (movement is subtle) whilst Banbury was 1950's (movement is bigger & bolder). Everything was covered from how to hold the fans to the classic moves. Its hard to write them down to explain so when I can, i'll video me doing what i learnt....Saying that, I need to get some new bigger fans as mine were babies and fell apart.


Have to admit, its a lot harder then you think it is. Maybe because of what I had to work with it was hard to keep hold them fanned out and moving them about without them closing. Bigger and better fans are definitely needed!! Also, an important thing I learnt was to keep moving with the fans. It looks really boring just watching someone throwing fans around their head whilst staying still but just enough movement, looks amazing. This is something that needs a lot of time & work to get this art down.


I now had the tools to build up a routine.....Just need a song & glamorous fans to match!! My purse is crying out already as its not going to be cheap!!!!

Chaz Royal's Burlesque Newbie Award

So I wanted more of an insight into the competition I faced in the world of Burlesque. I've seen shows before but being a 'Newbie' myself, I thought it was important to see what I would have to do. I took my friend along (Rebecca Tan) as she has also had an interest in burlesque and she's knows her stuff. If i could, I'd always have her with me as she knows what to look for, if its from photography to dancing, which is important in this art.

A bit about the event. Every year for the past 6yrs, a week long event happens in London all to do with burlesque. Lots of different categories to cover the whole spectrum to celebrate and enjoy this wonderful art. I attended the newbie award & believe me, if i lived in London, I would have been to every show possible. In this particular category, a dozen or so girls showcased their acts to a room full of ladies & gents and judges who marked them (not much was mentioned about what they're marked on or out of what but at a guess, I'm thinking performance, originality, audience reaction, costume to name a few). Then a third, second & winner place is announced. Again, it wasn't said exactly what they won apart from a certificate BUT the fabulous host KiKi Kaboom was a winner three years ago and I saw the last two winners in a show in November 'An Evening of Burlesque'. That speaks for itself really!!

So to the good stuff. There was soooo much variety between these girls it was amazing to see. Each girl was different to the next which was so refreshing to see. Obviously, there were acts I enjoyed more then others but I know I have my work cut out in someway. Event the costumes were perfect. But i know I could bring something to the Burlesque world!

It was great to watch it as I was able to take elements I liked from each act and can use it towards what I want to do. From what I saw, the judges liked singers as third & first place sung, but with something unique. Third place was dressed as a lady from Second World War singing a patriotic song, Second danced with fire (really hot!) and the winner was a stewardess.

There is still lots to think about....I'm still unsure about my name, as I want something cheeky & fun, yet glamorous. Costumes, I think i need to get my sewing fingers on to make some beautiful things. Music, nothing to obscure that the audience can't react to yet something not so obvious. Gimmick is important, but i've got quite a few interests that i could incorporate. As you can see lots to think about and if i'm wanting to be up there competing next year, i've got alot to do & experiences to have.