Burlesque in Britain has come a long way since its first heyday back in the 18th century when burlesque shows were full of double entendres and send ups of literature, theatre and music.
Manchester burlesque dancer, Shireen Ashton, better known as Cherie Bebe caught up with MM ahead of her latest show Cherie Bebe’s Burlesque Revue at Matt and Phred’s on Sunday to talk fans, feathers and body image.
Twenty-five-year-old Shireen has been in the burlesque business some five years after previously attending pole dancing classes and a burlesque dance course.
Shireen told MM: “My background is actually in acting and performing.
“After I few years I went on to film a few independent films and then I thought I just miss being on stage and I just happened to be invited to a burlesque club and it kind of all escalated from there.”
It was Shireen’s burlesque teacher who ran a rock burlesque troupe at the time who noticed Shireen’s flare for the feathers.
The Middleton dancer said: “She invited me to be involved in the troupe, so I did that for a while. But I preferred the more traditional burlesque, so I moved my act into that kind of market.”
Since the beginning of her burlesque career, Shireen has had the full support of her family. “My mum’s at most of my shows. She’s always there videoing my performances.”
The Mancunian also revealed that the glitz and glamour runs deeper in the family.
Shireen said: “My mum was actually a playboy bunny in the 80s and my nana was a cabaret singer, so I guess I have that bit of showbiz in my blood.”
It was Shireen’s grandmother who also provided her with the inspiration behind her stage name, Cherie Bebe with her renditions of Sherry Baby by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Since the revival of what has come to be known as ‘neo-burlesque’ in the mid 90s, audience numbers have continued to rise. As Shireen confirmed, many people immediately think of the striptease element of the show when they think of burlesque.
However the dancer explained that there’s much more to burlesque that tassels and flesh. The word burlesque in fact derives from the Italian burlesco, which comes from the Italian burla meaning a joke, ridicule or mockery.
Shireen promises Sunday’s audience much more with a mixture of burlesque, comedy and live music. “A lot of people who maybe haven’t seen burlesque would only think of the striptease but within that you can have comedy, authentic or contemporary burlesque.”
OLD-FASHIONED CABARET FUN: Manchester burlesque star Cherie Bebe
On first starting out in the burlesque industry, Shireen admits that she was unsure about her audience demographic.
Shireen said: “Because the burlesque has a striptease element to it you think that you would get a more male audience. But to be honest there are a lot of women and couples who come to the show.
“Everyone seems to really enjoy it. With my show it’s got that more Vaudeville, old-fashioned cabaret feel to it too.”
When it comes to choreographing her shimmying routines, Shireen takes inspiration from songs and films, but always prioritises the enjoyment of her audiences.
She told MM: “I choreograph all my performances and it really depends whether I have a particular song I want to dance to or there’s a scene from a film I want to do homage to then I do that.
“I do some very traditional burlesque style songs. I do one routine to the Wonder Woman soundtrack. I’ve done more rocky stuff like 30 Seconds to Mars. There really is quite a mixture in there. I have selection of different songs that I enjoy watching that I know the audience will enjoy watching.”
Despite the costs, Shireen also makes all her own costumes. She added: “It can be quite expensive but I see it as an investment. The internet’s great for that nowadays.”
With the renaissance of burlesque over the last two decades, notable performers are fast becoming household names. Such is the case with Dita Von Teese who Shireen explains is everyone’s idol in the burlesque world.
Shireen said: “I think she’s an idol for so many people because she brought traditional burlesque back and because of her entrepreneurial talents. She’s launched her own vintage underwear line, fashion collection. I think that’s really inspiring.
“I remember seeing a lady when I first started called Esmé Bianco. I loved her and she’s in LA now. She’s had an influence on me too.”
The Game of Thrones fans amongst us may now recognise Bianco from the show’s first three series as prostitute Ros.
Talking of the resurgence of burlesque in recent years Shireen told MM that it’s the show’s originality that draws in the audiences. She said: “I think it’s because it’s something different. It’s really original.
“Of course there is the striptease element – that’s great, but there are so many other elements as well. I think people have taken to it because it is that kind of old-fashioned entertainment.”
“You can go for a night out. You can get some food and drinks and see some light entertainment instead of going out to nightclubs. Because of my theatre background I do see it was been very theatrical and it is just a different form of theatre.”
Shireen also praises burlesque for its celebration of the female form and hopes that it will change perceptions of body image that are often portrayed in the media.
Describing her own body awareness, Shireen said: “I’d been a dancer for ages so I as a dancer you’re always aware of your body but the thing I love about burlesque is that it’s about embracing women, embracing the curves. You don’t have to be a size zero, which we see in the media a lot of the time.
“Performers like Raven Noir in the show – everybody loves her and she’s a really curvy woman but she just knows how to, in a way, seduce the audience. You see people who are a little older doing burlesque. It’s about embracing the female form and that’s what I really do love about the burlesque industry. “
Sunday night’s show Cherie Bebe’s Burleque Revue will also feature performances from Lily la Fox, Raven noir, Boom Boom Bonita and Jonathan Mayor who is currently supporting Sarah Millican on her Homebird UK tour.
“The line-up changes every time. They’re all professionals who are really talented. Raven Noir has really big drag style headdresses. Her outfits have that kind of drag queen feel.
“Boom Boom Bonita – she’s really sexy and sultry and she’s going to be singing some live cabaret numbers on the night. I’ve worked with Jonathan before. He’s on tour with Sarah Millican at the moment as her support act.”
Shireen hopes that in the future, the Revue can extend into Manchester’s theatres. Speaking of the future, Shireen said: “I love this show. Matt & Phred’s is a brilliant venue.
“I’d love to see it grow in there and hopefully then have a theatre show alongside it. That would be brilliant. There’re some great theatres in Manchester. Maybe a ‘one-night-only’ performance!”
Tickets for Sunday’s show at 8pm are available from www.billetto.co.uk/cherie-bebe-burlesque-revue are priced at £8 Advance/£10 on the door at Matt and Phred’s. Doors open at 7pm.
Images courtesy of Karen McBride, with thanks.
