The folks behind Cardiff Cabaret Club are embarking on their biggest undertaking yet: a multi-day festival taking them back to their origins, almost 20 years ago. Chris Williams shimmies into frame to let you know what’s on the cards.
Cardiff Cabaret Club started in Cardiff’s Chapter Arts Centre 17 years ago, and this August they are going back to their roots for a four-day event at that very venue: the Wales Burlesque Festival. It’s set to consist of four main shows, as well as a number of workshops led by members of Cardiff Cabaret Club and visiting performers, including members of Wales’ first Ballroom Community.
According to Wales Burlesque Festival co-producer Oola Pearl, it’s been in the planning for nearly 18 months. “There has been a lot of blood, sweat and rhinestones to get to this point!” she says.
The last 15 to 20 years has seen a major resurgence in burlesque and cabaret. As well as the worldwide popularity of names like Dita Von Teese and Immodesty Blaize in the 00s, closer to home there were promoters like The Gilded Merkin, regulars at Cardiff Bay’s Glee Club. As well as professional burlesque performers, notes Pearl, “there are also community groups who are learning about burlesque together and enjoying learning the history – dancing, costuming and getting to feel a little bit naughty, but a lot liberated…”
Kicking off the festival on Thurs 22 Aug is Big ‘Diff Energy, billed as a celebration of the best in Welsh burlesque. Pearl states that Cardiff Cabaret Club received “applications from all over the UK and are delighted to be welcoming home some familiar faces as well as inviting some new ones with Welsh roots to join the party”. The first night is hosted by FooFoo Labelle: Welsh Burlesque legend, CCC mother and the festival’s producer.
Labelle has been an international performer for over 30 years, producing shows since the late 00s as well as holding classes and workshops. A dancer, actor, choreographer, cabaret host, and producer, mother and business owner, she will be a strong presence at the festival, and is holding the Burlesque Baby workshop for beginners and improvers (“explore the world of burlesque to find your inner diva”).
Friday night is competition time, with the Future Icons show – here, performers from around the UK compete for the title of WBF Future Icon 2024. According to Pearl, the competition and opening night had over 200 applications from all over the world.
An exciting participant for me is Birmingham’s Dominus Von Vexo – a name I’m familiar with from visiting that city’s gay village – and the night is hosted by Mercury Presents, cabaret and burlesque side of multifaceted performer Alexander Luttley. Future Icons will also feature a special guest appearance by Cleopantha.
Saturday night is the big one – Gala Night! Hosted by the unforgettably named Titsalina Bumsquash and featuring turns from FooFoo Labelle and Oola Pearl themselves, the evening will also bring on the Cardiff Cabaret Club dancers and promises international guests.
The festival closes by channelling F. Scott Fitzgerald for the Sunday Speakeasy – hosted by showgirl vocalist Miss Whisky Twist, the queen of ‘Sing n Fling’ (that is to say, simultaneously singing and stripping), Miss Twist also holds a Sing n Fling workshop that afternoon. Performers featuring in the speakeasy include John Celestus, Cocoa Amore, and the first couple of burlesque: Sir Dezperado and the saxophone-playing Goldie Luxe.
In case it needs underlining, burlesque is not just titillation: it’s also about empowerment and body positivity. On which point we’ll give Oola the last word. “Audience members always comment how empowering and moving it is to see performers of all shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds who are owning the stage and are celebrated as themselves. The costumes are incredible, there’s often a lot of comedy and satire, and they’re just fantastically fun nights out.”
Wales Burlesque Festival, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Thurs 22-Sun 25 Aug.
Tickets: £90 full VIP pass; individual tickets available. Info: walesburlesquefestival.com
words CHRIS WILLIAMS
