Things, as a Burlesque Promoter, I'm bored of.. PART 1
Ahhhh, it must be that time of the week when I have my 'things that tick me off' rant...
As a Burlesque promoter, I get somewhere in the region of (I sadly kid you not) 100 + emails on a weekly basis from performers. Now, clearly, 90% of these emails have had a lot of care and attention given to them. The clever things people can do with technology never seize to amaze me.. Online, email-able CV's with pictures? Whoa! I'm easily impressed though, lets be honest.
However, it doesn't matter how fancy pants the email or the CV looks, if you list an act which is described in a way similar to the following, I really want to smash a plant pot, or a glass (that may be more apt actually) -
'During this act 'X' takes a sultry sip from a glass of poison and suddenly turns into a very naughty girl' ...
BLAH BLAH BLAH...Do you know how many times I read something like that, A WEEK!?! No? Fancy the log in to my email inbox? No?
Yes, I'm happy to admit women/men/me (definitely me, sometimes) can turn a little bit frisky after the addition of a glass of wine/beer/sambuca/vodka/crate of cider/barrel of whisky, but seriously?! Think outside the box you lovely ladies and gents!!!
I've seen acts based around the above executed absolutely wonderfully and I've whooped and cheered with the rest of them. But, having been involved with burlesque for 3 and a bit years, I think its time that every artiste scraps that act basis from their repertoire.
I've seen some brilliant acts the last few months, with some really imaginative themes, excellent use of props and costumes to die for.. All the ones that spring to mind immediately have NOTHING to do with the act starting off with 'taking a sultry sip from a glass of poison' ETC ETC.
Anyway, I'm off to await my voodoo doll being stabbed by someone who takes offence to my silliness.
Heres a picture of the delightful Moreorlesque at my show on Sundae. A double-act who I've never seen do an act based around drinking something lovely.