Hey guys!

I was just wondering as a newbe, When your on stage has anyone ever had a bad experience with a crowd or audience? I think thats my biggest fear so if anyone has any tips or expeirenced anything bad, a warning would be nice!

xxx

I always feel a bit scared before I get on stage. Never had a horrible experience but did dance at one club where people were not really interested! That was weird as you are performing to an audience that are ignoring you so it kind of seems pointless but you have to keep going!

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I've not had anything dangerous happen to me.

I had an unrestrained audience close right in around me once. Security weren't doing their job, and I had an audience member popping the balloons on my costume (until another audience member dealt with him...). I've since learned to check whether there will be a stage or not and, if not, to enquire about security arrangements before confirming a booking.

I've also had men chanting 'bring out the girls' before I've gone on stage... I think they were expecting modern strippers rather than burlesque'd striptease.

Other than that, I've had the usual disinterested and/or hostile audiences, but as you rack up experience you come to learn how to deal with that. It used to really knock me to perform for a couldn't-care-less crowd, as their lack of enthusiasm transferred on to me and I lost interest in what I was doing. I've since learned how to avoid this happening, how to keep professional and give a stellar performance even if it feels as though you're performing to an empty room.

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Is ther any way of trying to get the bored crowd to enjoy it more? it seems specialised burlesque nights seem to have a great reaction but in other venues it seems to be hit and miss?

In my experience it's mostly down to the purpose of the event.

I find dis-engaged audiences are often found at events where burlesque is not the primary form of entertainment. Take a theatre variety show, for example. The audience sit down, in the dark and watch the stage. They tend not to whoop or cheer and, instead, want to watch the stage and GET entertained, not participate in the show. They're not there to join in with a burlesque show, they're there to watch a stage show and marvel at the performers's talents. Since burlesque often encourages participation, when the audience don't join in with the jokes they appear distant and careless.

I also have a pet hate for shows involving dinner. I've often had audiences care more about the sauce-soaked meal infront of them than the entertainment... but then again, I'm a big food-lover, so would probably behave in the same way if I were in such an audience.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a go at these audiences and trying to say that their behaviour is somehow 'wrong' - boy, it'd be nothing short of self-indulgent for me to demand that all audiences sit up, pay attention and cheer as soon as I enter the stage! Just because an audience don't appear to be connecting with a performance doesn't mean that they aren't enjoying and digesting it in their own way. One can't dictate audience behaviour, but can be aware that different audiences may react to burlesque differently and, hence, one's performance may have to be given slightly differently to different audiences. After all, when I'm paid, I'm paid to entertain, not indulge my ego.

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Going onstage is always scary!!! that's why it's so addictive!!!!

I try to imagine there's a huge crowd of people whooping and chanting your name before you go onstage, it really helps your ego and gives the extra little boost on stage (I'm a loser I know)

x

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We once had a man run onstage twice. It was awful this big fat biker type and I, all of 5ft had to drag him off twice. I don't think we'll be visiting that particular venue as there were a few things we weren't happy with (announcing us incorrectly, playing one of our tracks before we went on stage, lack of security, wrong music) but we've learnt a lot from that and luckily it was another of these audiences that didn't care but it was good for us to practise. xxx

So as a second point to my 1st question, what should u ask when u are recieving a booking and what should u do or look for when u arrive? This would be really helpfull!

Advise of any kind is always great as usual! xxx

Make a check list before you go to a venue and tick everything off as you pack it. Even things like makeup wipes or extra hairpins can come in useful so pop them in!
Always make sure you have your music with you (if possible more than 1 copy - just in case!) and do a sound check when you get to the venue to make sure it works on their sound system.
Bring a nightgown to wear so you don't spoil the surprise of your costume!
Make sure you know where the venue is how you're getting there and how you're getting home. Always get somebodies contact number in case you have any delays or problems.
Make sure you know exactly what you are getting (i.e travel, free drinks, photographs) and what is expected in return.

When making bookings find out if there is a theme and they need a particular type of routine and what the event is (i.e is it a crowd who would be used to Burlesque or will it be new to them)

I'm fairly new to performing so I'm sure the other ladies can help you with more info! Good Luck! xxx

I've had loads of scary stage experiences, it's ridiculous!

There are two that stick out in my mind in particular. The first isn't burlesque but still worth sharing; I was in a fairly lavish production of Copcabana at the Kings Theatre a couple of years back and during a chorus number, whilst wearing extremely eloborate costumes and head dresses, a kick line of around 8 girls including me went down like a line of dominoes! There was water spilled on the stage from the previous scene that hadn't been cleaned properly and the dancer leading the line slipped and went arse over tit, taking the rest of us with her.
The principal singing the number valiantly carried on while an audience of several thousand people roared with laughter. Burised pride as well as bruised bottoms that night!

The second one was more recent; my production company had been hired to provide some additional (burlesque) entertainment for the Rock Radio FM 1st Birthday Party here in Glasgow, which was great. We got to share the stage with and perform for GUN, Thunder, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, good times!
However, due to some mild miscommunication between the venue and promoter I was informed that the fire-fan act I was scheduled to perform on the main stage couldn't go ahead due to the fact that they couldn't isolate the fire alarms. Fair enough, I'll do it later at the aftershow party, I replied. A panicked production manager said well you need to go on and do something, we've got time that needs filled. One packet of balloons and glitter later along with a back-up costume and I improvised a balloon dance to The Gossip - terrifed? You're bloody right I was! Luckily it seemed to go down very well and the audience were none the wiser, sheesh!

xxx Lucille B xxx

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