The burlesque festival season is certainly upon us! Burlesque performer, Billie Rae, gives us the inside scoop from the burlesque festival.
The First Annual Perth Burlesque Festival with UK Guest Billie Rae
Preceding The Australian Burlesque Festival by a few weeks, Sugar Blue Burlesque presents the Perth Burlesque Festival. Burlesque performers from all over the world will descend on the West Coast May 24th – 27th.
The organisers aim to bring world-class international, interstate and local burlesque acts to the Perth audience. A rare experience for the world’s most isolated capital city.
The festival affords show go-ers the opportunity to experience burlesque dancing that varies greatly and fantastically across nations, scenes, and personalities. They will also get to support and engage with the local burlesque scene in the process.
Read: Australian Burlesque Takes Pop Culture Prisoner.
(Image from Lucy Sky Diamond)
Brighton burlesque dancer, Billie Rae, who will be travelling down under at the end of next week. A headlining burlesque performer in both the UK and Europe, this is Billie’s first trip to Australia so we caught up with her before the excitement got too much!
What’s been your favourite international show so far? I love performing internationally, I loved performing over in Shanghai as it was a completely different culture and was ridiculous. And I do love performing in Europe.
BUT my favourite place I have ever been was New York. I took my show, La Bordello Boheme, that I co-run with Veronica Blacklace. We were over there for two weeks with Chi Chi Revolver and we had such an incredible time. I love New York and would love to go back!
Looking forward to your trip? A working holiday is always a pleasure but I am looking forward to seeing south of the equator and being somewhere I have never been before. Also seeing at least a little bit of sun.
Tell us more about the scene in Australia. How did you get involved with the Perth Burlesque Festival? I know a little about it. I first met Adora Derrier in Paris in 2009 at a show and she came over to the UK with her bubbly Ozzy personality and really funny acts. I was running a night which she performed at often and got to know her from that really well.
Adora runs Sugar Blue Burlesque, where she has workshops, burlesque shows and a troupe. I also have worked with Trixi Tassels another Perth lady. She’s a darn good tassel twirler! She’s part of the Sugar Blue crew. I’m looking forward to meeting some of the other ladies and seeing what the Australian crowds are like.
Who else are you looking forward to seeing on the bill in Perth? I am performing The Siamese Twin duo act with Missy Fatale which I am looking forward to. And Dixie Ramone who I spent some time with in Rome and Paris. Plus, the lovely Mrs Rose from France and I am of course looking forward to seeing Adora Derrier the Australian queen herself.
Enjoy Billie Rae burlesque dancing and (like us) dream of a little sunshine:
Check out how we celebrated Australia Day!
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(Main image from Billie Rae Burlesque)