Wednesday 10 October 2007

Burlesque

Burlesque - try it - the word rolls out like a long red carpet, rich and majestic.
A lovely sounding word I think that sounds much better than stripper. Much more mysterious.

The other night, when I didn’t go to see Atonement, we met in a bar called Toast near the arts centre where the film was being shown. In a corner of the room was a small built up stage covered in black cloth and strewn with fake red rose petals.

‘What the hell’s that for?’ I asked, innocent that I am.

‘It’s a Burlesque night,’ I was told.

Consulting with the others, we weren’t quite what burlesque involved but thought that it meant striptease, maybe the odd bawdy song.

After a few minutes someone came in wearing a bright red jacket, belted tight around her waist. Her hair (I think it was a her) was dyed blonde, in a ponytail, and from the rear view I could see shapely legs in black stockings with seams up the back, and six inch high heeled black shoes.

When she turned round – well, you could have swept the floor with her eyelashes. I was quite riveted. And then she disappeared. And shortly after that we had to go.

I told Himself about this and he smiled, his mind evidently on other things. ‘I’m sure it was a good night,’ he said. ‘Nothing like a bit of singing and dancing.’

I looked at him, amazed at what he’d just said. ‘I don’t think there’s much singing and dancing,’ I said, and stared at him.

He looked at me then and obviously clicked. ‘Oh - perhaps we ought to go and have a look,’ he said.

So that’s our entertainment for next week then.

And now for a quote that has absolutely nothing to do with the above but I’ve just been sent it. Goes along with what I was saying yesterday about friends.

Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,
having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all
right out, just as they are -- chaff and grain together -- certain that a
faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with
the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

George Eliot (pen name of Mary Ann Evans), novelist (1819-1880)

21 comments:

Lane Mathias said...

There's some diverse entertainment in your part of the world:-) I look forward to a burlesque report as I have no real idea what it is either!
x

Flowerpot said...

oh good I'm not such an innocent after all! I'd no idea that such risque things took place in sleepy little Falmouth!

Anonymous said...

Falmouth. My mum and dad went there once with my sister when she was about 12. They stayed in a lovely little hotel with a round swimming pool. Don't know what it's called though.

A comedy stripper! Can you make stripping look funny? I've never tried myself.

Crystal xx

Chris Stovell said...

Now, don't go getting any ideas about showing off your favourite knickers whilst your watching all this burlesque stuff, will you?! Hope you are feeling better.

the rotten correspondent said...

Love the quote, flowerpot.

I could turn stripping into a comedy. Really, I could. People would be falling all over themselves laughing.

Oh. They're supposed to laugh with you??

Flowerpot said...

crystal - not sure about which hotel you mean as I dont often frequent hotels! Could have been the Penmere manor - I think that has a round pool. That ring any bells?

Flowerpot said...

ChrisH - I wouldn't dream of flashing my knickers. Those are kept firmly under wraps.... yes am feeling a lot better thanks.

correspondent - yes I think it's agreat quote. And yes, stripping could be - adn I daresay is, hilarious most of the time. Not sure that I've got the stomach for it right now - wrong hormones...

Mid-lifer said...

I've no idea either - but I've always thought it something saucy. Let us know what it's like!

Flowerpot said...

mid-lifer - if we ever get to go you lot will be the first to know. But don't hold your breath!

Bev said...

Seems to be all the rage at the moment, made fashionable by that Vita Von Teese, who was on Johnathan Ross recently. Flicking through her book in a bookshop out of interest I notice they wear lovely costumes and I think most of it could be teasing with feathers while sitting on a swing in a giant birdcage, if this Von Teese is anyone to go by. I notice your hubby didn't need much persuading!

laurie said...

whoaaaaaaaaaaa.

Cathy said...

Cornwall never had that sort of thing in my day!!

Anonymous said...

I'll ask my mum tomorrow which hotel it was because it's bugging the hell out of me now!!

Crystal xx

Elaine Denning said...

What a wonderful quote.

I hope you can take pictures next week!

Flowerpot said...

beverley =- good to meet you and please call this way again! I have to say I dont watch J Ross as I cant stand him, so all this has passed me by. Fancy Falmouth being fashionable! I can almost guarantee there wont be any birdcages involved in falmouth - there wasn't enough room!

Flowerpot said...

laurie - there's no way HImself would actually go. He's all mouth and no trousers.....

cathy - no, this is new to me too. Must be teh new university's influence!

MissU - if I go I will tkae pictures, fear not....

Irene said...

I never knew George Elliott was a nom de plume for a woman. Such an ignorant Dutch woman I am. You've made me see the light. Now you will soon tell me all about burlesque too and I will be well informed.

Flowerpot said...

sweet irene - what we learn from each other's blogs!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

I think burlesque is back in fashion thanks to Dita von Teese. I go to an exercise class in which the instructor tries to get us to do a few burlesque moves. It's bloody difficult!

Akelamalu said...

You're going to a burlesque show? Can you take the camera with you?

Flowerpot said...

I must be really ignorant - who the hell is Dita von Teese? Am I the only person who doesnt know who she is?!

Ak - of course I'll take a camera but don't hold your breath!