London's Burlesque SceneDita von Teese. Although Dita von Teese's name has a touch of Germanic heritage into it, the most popular language used in burlesque circles is French. Artists

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When I began photographing the burlesque and retro scene in London, I thought of it as a form of revival of an entertainment form. However, it seems so well established that 'revival' may no longer apply. Lady Alex, producer and host of the Wam Bam Club, says there is no shortage of acts and artists. This paints a clear picture that burlesque and variety acts (contortionists, comedians, acrobats) abound in London, along with the venues for them. By that token, the audience is also broad and plentiful. The first thing that strikes you is the plethora of names used by artists. Words like 'Miss', 'sexy', 'sensual', 'intimate' and 'tease' (among others of similar nature) are a staple in the world of burlesque. You may also find some word play with these words, 'strip tea' and 'sensu'elle' to give an example. However, the most famous example of word play in burlesque is that of the word 'tease', spelled 'teese', thus giving glory to renowned actress and burlesque artist Dita von Teese. Although Dita von Teese's name has a touch of Germanic heritage into it, the most popular language used in burlesque circles is French. Artists like Coco Dubois and dance troupe Cabaret Rouge are examples of this.

London's Burlesque ScenePhotographs & text byMaximiliano Braun

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 6, 2011: Burlesque artist Miss Betsy Rose finishes her performance on the Tassel Club night at the Bath House in London. This is the second set Miss Betsy Rose often performs on a night. The Tassel Club runs a deal with the Bath House in which they have the use of the venue and they provide the Burlesque show for the venue's audience. Often the public attend by invitation by the Tassel Club.


The second thing that may strike you is the range of venues where they perform. Cafe de Paris, the Bath House and Proud Cabaret are examples of fine retro venues in London. The Bath House (used by The Tassel Club) stands out among them, because it is an original Victorian building. Its interior exudes its Victorian atmosphere. The fact that the stage is at near ground level and close to the tables means that the Bath House offers The Tassel Club guests an intimate burlesque experience. Cafe de Paris (where the Wam Bam Club performs) also has a long and renowned history since it opened in 1924. Unlike the former two, Proud Cabaret (where the Tassel Club performed during the making of this feature) is a newer and more contemporary venue that holds a vintage feel.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 8, 2011: Miss Betsy Rose performing one of her two sets on a Tassel Club night at Proud Cabaret. The Tassel Club runs a deal with Proud Cabaret in which they have the use of the venue and they provide the Burlesque show for the cabaret's audience. Often the public attend by invitation by the Tassel Club.


Artist and producers alike know of the common misconceptions about burlesque and burlesque clubs. It would be a profanity to refer to any artist as a stripper, and the clubs as strip clubs. Although the very act of undressing carries a sexual appeal to it, the art of a burlesque act lies more with the details and acting whilst undressing. It is not about getting nude, but about the routine performed while doing so.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 6, 2011: Burlesque artist Honey Lulu performing her second set, fire, on the Tassel Club night at the Bath House. The Tassel Club runs a deal with the Bath House in which they have the use of the venue and they provide the Burlesque show for the venue's audience. Often the public attend by invitation by the Tassel Club.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 11, 2010: Burlesque artist Honey Lulu performs her 'white' routine at the Tassel Club. The Tassel Club runs a deal with Proud Cabaret in which they have the use of the venue and they provide the Burlesque show for the cabaret's audience. Often the public attend by invitation by the Tassel Club.


Burlesque in itself is a fine art these days. You see some great shows and others not so great. Part of this fine art experience is also delivered to the audience directly. A booking into one of these burlesque, or cabaret, shows lands you in a table with a set dinner for the whole show. Alternatively, if you wish not to pay for the whole dinner set (upwards of £50 per person) you can always pay the admission fee and hang around the bar area.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 29, 2011: Lady Alex, producer and host of the Wam Bam Club, walks around the audience animating them before the final acts of the Wam Bam Club at Cafe de Paris in central London. Every Saturday night Cafe de Paris hosts the Wam Bam Club, a burlesque, cabaret and variety show club. The Wam Bam Club runs by using the Cafe de Paris venue for their shows.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 29, 2011: Cabaret dance troupe Cabaret Rouge rehearsing their performance set before the Wam Bam Club night starts at Cafe de Paris. Cabaret Rouge are a regular 'in-house' dance troupe for the Wam Bam Club, performing there every Saturday. The Wam Bam Club runs by using the Cafe de Paris venue for their shows.

One of the Tassel Club's assistants selling tassels and a variety of other burlesque paraphernalia.

Singer Coco Dubois performing on a Tassel Club night at the Bath House in the financial district in London. Coco's performances take place in between acts during the hole night.


While the public enjoy the show and themselves (the atmosphere can be very lively), backstage the artists rehearse and get ready to give them a good show. The efforts of a full week’s work and rehearsing come to fruition in a 3-8 minute set on stage. The shows are very vivid and the audience's attention is fixed on them. Certainly, the Tassel Club and the Wam Bam Club offer an amazing night out that can't be equalled by many other forms of entertainment.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 11, 2010: Proud Cabaret backstage. Artist performer Katynka (L) and Burlesque artist Honey Lulu (R) drinking wine before the Tassel Club's show at Proud Cabaret. (Far Left) one of the girl helpers for the Tassel Club. Her job s to escort the artists to the stage and back. She also opens the curtains for the artists and helps set up the stage for artists that require a set up before performing. The Tassel Club runs a deal with Proud Cabaret in which they have the use of the venue and they provide the Burlesque show for the cabaret's audience. Often the public attend by invitation by the Tassel Club.


LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 8, 2011: Burlesque artist Miss Betsy Rose preparing her pasties and feathers before her second set at a Tassel Club night at Proud Cabaret. The Tassel Club runs a deal with Proud Cabaret in which they have the use of the venue and they provide the Burlesque show for the cabaret's audience. Often the public attend by invitation by the Tassel Club.

Burlesque artist Honey Lulu rehearsing her 'white' routine with her feather fans backstage at Proud Cabaret.

Singer Coco Dubois getting ready for her perfomance on a Tassel Club night at Proud Cabaret. Coco performs in between the acts offered at the Tassel Club.


LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 29, 2011: (From Left) Anna de Carvalho, Katie Derry and Ashleigh James getting ready in the backstage area of Cafe de Paris on a Wam Bam Club night. All three of them form the Cabaret Rouge dance troupe and perform regularly at the Wam Bam Club every Saturday. Every Saturday night Cafe de Paris hosts the Wam Bam Club, a burlesque, cabaret and variety show club. The Wam Bam Club runs by using the Cafe de Paris venue for their shows.


For burlesque artists Miss Betsy Rose and Honey Lulu, burlesque represents more than just a set of routines on stage, it is a lifestyle. They can dress and walk like women of long gone golden years. The arts scene surrounding burlesque and cabaret offers these artists the chance of not just performing a vintage act, but also living it by dressing according to the time, and having a full range of accessories complimenting their lifestyle (except the ubiquitous

internet-enabled mobile phones). It is demanding however, as the artists have to deliver constantly new and enticing shows. Honey Lulu for example uses a giant tea cup in which she lays in, has a fire routine and a giant suitcase for her shows. Miss Betsy Rose prefers small props and details and puts more emphasis in her dance routine as a whole. Others like Bijou Noir have a very elaborate act in which a chair, a large French flag, fireworks, smoke and a

gunpowder replica gun need to be used to perform her show. If anything, a burlesque act is far more hard work than it appears to be in the short time it lasts. It requires constant dedication and research.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 26, 2011: Burlesque artist Honey Lulu having coffee in a shop in central London. Lulu, like other artists, follows a vintage lifestyle and dresses accordingly. Honey Lulu works both in the UK and Germany. Some of her routine sets require the use of a larger than life size tea cup, fire and feather fans.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 21, 2011: Portrait of Miss Betsy Rose at a pub in Camden Town, London. Rose, like other artists, leads a vintage lifestyle and dresses accordingly.


LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 21, 2011: Burlesque artist Miss Betsy Rose's bag at vintage goods shop Atomium in the Stables Market in Camden Town. Atomium is one of the several shops across London that deals in the sale and purchase of vintage goods that include, among other things, clothes, china, turntables and furniture.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 17, 2011: Detail of Burlesque artist Miss Betsy Rose's shoes and stockings. Rose, like other artists, leads a vintage lifestyle and dresses accordingly.

Miss Betsy Rose rehearsing at the Islington Arts Factory. She usually rehearses her routines at home, but when she engages in a new project it is essential she sees how it looks before performing it.

Miss Betsy Rose checking out of the rehearsal room at the Islington Arts Factory.


Honey Lulu going into a haberdashery shop in central London. Lulu gets basic materials to customise her performance outfits and make them unique.

Honey Lulu listening to music backstage on a Tassel Club night at Proud Cabaret.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 26, 2011: Burlesque artist Honey Lulu in a haberdashery shop in central London looking for bits and pieces for her next custome. Lulu gets basic materials to customise her performance outfits and make them unique. Lulu, like other artists, follows a vintage lifestyle and dresses accordingly.


LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 29, 2011: Anesta Mathurin performs a hand balance and gymnastics act at Cafe de Paris on a Wam Bam Club night. Every Saturday night Cafe de Paris hosts the Wam Bam Club, a burlesque, cabaret and variety show club. The Wam Bam Club runs by using the Cafe de Paris venue for their shows.


The need to feel unique and deliver an inimitable routine puts stress on every burlesque and cabaret artist. To top this up, the average pay for a burlesque artist is between GBP £100-150 per night, depending on the quality of the act. The pay is lower for up-and-coming artists. The economics of a performing artist are similar to those of many other art forms, particularly because they ought to invest part of their income in props and costumes. It is a hard life, despite the glamour displayed in every show. Some artists perform burlesque as part of a varied set of acts they can perform. Some artists also travel in order to perform more shows. Honey Lulu is a good example of this as she travels constantly between Germany and the UK. Being a burlesque artist is not easy and requires plenty of creativity and self marketing to perform constantly. Miss Betsy Rose and Honey Lulu can barely imagine being or doing anything else. Burlesque is what they do and who they are and they love every second of it. As there is no shortage of acts or artists, London’s burlesque clubs ensure you will experience the very best there is.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 29, 2011: Lady Alex and the Grand Finale of a Wam Bam Club night at Cafe de Paris in central London. In the finale of a Wam Bam Club night, Queen's We Are the Champions is sung before the fireworks are set alight. Every Saturday night Cafe de Paris hosts the Wam Bam Club, a burlesque, cabaret and variety show club. The Wam Bam Club runs by using the Cafe de Paris venue for their shows.


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London's Burlesque SceneDita von Teese. Although Dita von Teese's name has a touch of Germanic heritage into it, the most popular language used in burlesque circles is French. Artists