Burlesque comedy troupe a 'formidable' follow-up
Published on 07 September, 2009
CQUniversity Theatre lecturer Kim Kirkman has guided the formation of operatic boy bands, the dinner-suited Ten Tenors and Formidable, but his latest project is sure to ruffle a few feathers (or feather boas).
Kim is producer of Burlesque comedy troupe The Velveteens, working with Theatre student performers Casey Eidintas, Stephanie McKenna and Jessica Peters (performer and manager), from the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Mackay.
The Velveteens are set to raise the pulses of Mackay audiences with the performance of their newest cabaret dinner show, premiering at the Ocean International Hotel in September for 4 performances only.
The show will bring a unique blend of rock and burlesque which follows in the footsteps of iconic burlesque pioneers such as Mae West and Gypsy Rose Lee.
Burlesque has always been a fusion of comedy, vulgarity and tease. It is sassy, fun and cheeky all at once. The Velveteens highly stylised performance is a celebration of all things feminine and promotes the empowerment of women of all sizes. The show is laced with songs and comedy, which attracts wide acclaim from both men and women audience members.
Jessica Peters says, "There are so many layers of history and context with regards to burlesque. For women, it is essentially liberating. It's about women realising they don't have to look like a super-model to be sexy. With recent films like Moulin Rouge and Chicago provoking a revived interest in burlesque, women now have a new platform to freely express themselves, to be empowered and also to feel a little bit naughty."
Kim Kirkman says, "The main factor for the success of the risqué is that the girls are real. They don't necessarily fit into the stereotype of what society has come to perceive as the perfect female form. And audiences can relate to that - it gives it some sense of realism and seems to appeal to both sexes."
The Velveteens will be performing 4 cabaret dinner shows only at the Ocean International on September 19 & 20 and again on September 25 & 26.
The dinner and show package includes a 2-course meal plus the singing sensational burlesque performance. Tickets start at only $20 and are on sale now from the Mackay Entertainment Centre on (07) 4961 9777 or from the MECC website on www.mackayentertainment.com.au
