Time for Tease: afternoon tea with a dollop of burlesque

Next up is the first Gateaux Vivant, Zoe’s take on the original Tableaux Vivants. Literally translated from the French as a ‘living picture’ and a crafty way club owners used to circumvent the strict censorship laws of the past, the semi-nude or naked Tableaux Vivants used to be part of the entertainment at private clubs or fairground sideshows.

Afternoon Tease!’ features three Gateaux Vivants, which today are all Wimbledon themed and feature a semi-naked lady in little less than shorts holding a tennis racket (number 1), wearing a tennis racket bag (number 2 ) and eating a strawberry cheesecake (number 3). What might come across as a bit silly, pointless even, is rather tongue-in-cheek and in that great ‘let’s just have a bit of fun’ spirit that is at the very heart of burlesque.

By now the audience is in a relaxed mood, cheering and clapping as the Gateaux Vivant makes space for the first burlesque performance, which sees the very beautiful Miss Bijou Noir perform her homage to the great Josephine Baker, banana skirt and all.

The intermission passes quickly thanks to the second Tableaux Vivant and a course of homemade scones with jam and clotted cream. For those who are lusting after something stronger than a cup of English Breakfast, there is also a selection of cocktails.

Burlesque act number two features the ethereal Chrys Columbine and her take on Botticelli’s Birth Of Venus. Her performance leaves the audience speechless and in awe. Surely, this cannot be topped?

But a round of selected homemade cakes later and the final act, Miss Kiki Kaboom, voted best newcomer at the London Burlesque Festival, has everyone cheering after her ‘freak to geek’ routine.

It’s the end of the show and only15.30 as a happy, well-fed and slightly tipsy audience stumbles into the very bright daylight. No doubt, this is the best tea party in town.

‘Afternoon Tease!’ takes place every first and third Saturday of the month at London’s Volupté club, and every second and forth Saturday of the month at the London Pigalle Club.
Tickets are £35 inclusive of full afternoon tea. Burlesque performers vary each time. For more information go to Time for Tease.

Picture credits:
Mersy Photo
Tony Rusecki

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Tags: 'Afternoon Tease!', burlesque, Chrys Columbine, Miss Bijou Noir, Miss Kiki Kaboom, Pigalle, Time for Tease, Volupte

Category: Culture, Events