THE 7TH annual London Burlesque Festival showcases the best teasers from around the world.
Burlesque is all about delayed gratification. The artists are masters of seducing, tempting and teasing audiences with their bodies…every inch of them. From 10-19 May, audiences will be treated to an abundance of flesh, revealed ever so slowly, for what has become the largest international burlesque festival.
Miss Strawberry Siren is an award winning burlesque artist from Melbourne, Australia. Described as the Tarantino of Burlesque, she is sexy and dangerous, and is performing as part of the festival.
For Miss Siren, burlesque represents more than an adults-only cabaret show. It also highlights the beauty, variety and power of the female form, liberating women and allowing them to enjoy their bodies.
“I love that it celebrates the female form in all it’s different shapes and sizes and allows the performer to be themselves and express their sexuality, in a safe and supportive environment,” Miss Siren tells Australian Times.
“There are no rules on what you should look like, what you should wear or how much you should take off! But there must be an element of tease!”
Miss Siren first came across burlesque in her early 20s, when she was involved in the alternative pin-up scene. Her success as a burlesque artist has seen her crowned Miss Burlesque Victoria and Miss Burlesque Australia — Entertainer of the Year.
Performing in circus, theatre and dance since she was 11, Miss Siren is a highly skilled artist, and she draws upon all these diverse strings to her bow during her burlesque performances.
Previous shows include ‘I heart NYC’, a solo neo burlesque performance paying tribute to the big apple, and ‘The 8 of King Henry VIII’, a burlesque tale of the Tudor wives and mistresses.
So what can Londoners expect from her?
“I’m actually bringing two childhood characters to life in two performances at the festival. It’s always fun to dress up and be a sexy version of characters you love and look up to. I will also be bringing some of my circus skills to the stage to help spice things up a bit.”
On top of performing, Miss Siren also teaches classes in burlesque, covering everything from the business of burlesque to the tease itself. For our readers, she offered a tip to help introduce a little bit more sexuality into your everyday.
“I only own sexy lingerie, that way I can never leave the house wearing daggy underwear. It’s the little details in burlesque that are easy to introduce into everyday life and they can make a big difference.”
Following her performance at the London Burlesque Festival, Strawberry Siren will head back home to compete for the title of Miss Burlesque Australia and then hit the road with the Australian Burlesque Festival.
Tickets are still available for Strawberry Siren’s performance at the Opening Gala International Extravaganza on 18 May 2013. The London Burlesque Festival runs from 10 — 19 May. For further information visit londonburlesquefest.com