YOU are invited to see the new year in with an old fashioned burlesque show featuring The Burly Girls and island comedian Rob Heeney at Fiesta Havana in Douglas.
The evening, which doesn’t involve a lot of bare skin, features eight of the island’s finest performers who are trained in a variety of entertainment including burlesque, theatre and street, ballroom and Latin dance.
Organiser and burlesque dancer Rachel Crellin explained: ‘The idea has come from old fashioned burlesque shows and clubs.
‘In the 1800s and early 1900s burlesque clubs always had great comedians and comedy double acts to perform in alongside the lovely burlesque girls.’
She said: ‘Our comedian Rob is the island’s one and only. He is a professional comedian and comedy writer and he will be performing with us in our variety style show.’
While Rob lives in London, the Douglas man is a regular visitor back to the island and has performed various Manx gigs as well as across the UK, including at Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival and The Comedy Store, and further afield, including South Africa and the US. He has also been involved in Onchan man Scott Bradshaw’s film and book projects about life on Ibiza and living with ADHD.
Rachel added: ‘Our eight ladies will be performing solo as well as in duets and groups. They are Lauren, Jenny, Hazel, Julie, Louise, Beth, Leonie and myself Dee Dee.
‘In the final performance I will be performing with two saxophonists, Craig and Sammy J, and my new prop is a bath. Yes, I will be taking a bath in front of 70 odd strangers! In a similar style to Dita Von Teeses’ Martini glass show. The interval music will have a blues/jazz vibe and the evening will be classy elegant and sophisticated.’
She concluded: ‘Their won’t be a lot of bare skin so it would be a good night out for a couple. There will be just lots of cheeky cabaret numbers to songs by the greats, such as Marilyn Monroe.’
Tickets, costing £35, include a meal and half a bottle of wine. They are available now from Fiesta Havana in Wellington Street. Call 615070.
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