*BOB* article in Metro
Thought you might like to see what I emailed them this morning.
Hello,
My name is Saffron and I, along with my husband Al, run the Candy Box Burlesque Club which you wrote an article on in Thursday's Metro.
I have to say I am extremely disappointed by what was written as even in such a short article, it was sadly full of inaccuracies. Let me explain:
"Anyone who believes the new burlesque revolution is actually just stripping for those too embarrassed to go to a lapdancing club will find plenty of ammunition for their argument in The World Famous *BOB*'s act. In the past the New York cabaret artist has mixed Martinis with her cleavage, and her website proudly boasts of her 42F bust alongside puns about her Big Top that would shame a lads' mag subeditor....Cannily, The World Famous *BOB* has used it as a springboard into other art forms, having been photographed by the likes of Mario Testino and David LaChapelle, as well as appearing in The New York Times, dabbling in performance art and MCing, modelling for Thierry Mugler and playing a cameo role in John Cameron Mitchell's film, Shortbus."
Ok, so it seems you've gone to *BOB*'s website and made a judgement on her performance and attitute entirely from that. Unfortunately you have grasped entirely the wrong end of the stick. *BOB* has been a performance artist, model and teacher of female body self-confidence, all before the 'new' burlesque scene arrived so it's hardly fair to say she has used burlesque as a springboard. She preaches pride in her extraordinary physique- which by the way is extremely UNTYPICAL of those found in lads' mags. I would have thought anyone who is PROUD of having a 42 back size as feels it is as beautiful as a size 8 would be applauded. All her acts are extremely tongue-in-cheek ( she describes herself as a female drag queen) but maybe her humour went over your head. It's interesting that you would say there is an argument for her act being called 'just stripping' when you have quite clearly never seen her perform live. She will also be teaching her Ultimate Self Confidence workshops for Women, while she is here making her debut in the UK with us, which are completely unique- what a shame they weren't mentioned in your article- but then again, that would have negated your point about her being 'just a stripper' wouldn't it?
Anyone who wants to have the experience of a lapdancing bar would be sadly disappointed when attending The Candy Box. There is no nudity, no physical contact between performers and audience and certainly no handing hard cash to a dancer in return for a private thrill. Lap dancing clubs certainly have a place but are hardly the same clientele that we cater for. Our audience is seated with tables and waitress service. The show has an interval, is compered and all performers dance to the backing of entirely live music. We are currently the ONLY burlesque club in the UK who uses this format and are extremely proud of the fact that as many of our audience come to our shows to hear the band as to see the girls. That audience, by the way, has always been 75% female, and it is always they who cheers the loudest for the performers. Not something I would say is typical for a lapdancing club. It is however VERY Typical in the world of Burlesque.
"But the whole burlesque scene, which is supposed to be all about teasing glimpses, is now so over-exposed it has all the erotic mystique of someone mooning."
Here I would not disagree with you to a degree regarding over-exposure. When we started Candy Box three years ago ( after 2 years of planning) we were one of only four burlesque clubs in the UK. Now every city has at least one ( Brum alone currently has 4), but we would like to think that since we have managed to sell out our 400 seater venue for every single show, that we are still giving our audiences what they want- which includes a variety of acts beside Striptease. Burlesque, after all, does mean 'parody' and we feel a sense of humour is the most important factor. We like to show ordinary people that is a great deal more to Burlesque that Dita Von Teese.
"Support act Imelda May will be blasting out her foot-stomping retro-rockabilly tunes,and there will also be music from Candybox's in-house band, Palookaville Orchestra. They recently won a Ministry Of Burlesque award for their 'spit and drool' music - the organ-powered garage-rock they'll be pumping out as the resident dance troupe, Candied Heels, strut their stuff"
Oh Dear. Imelda May is certainly not the "support act". Although she has just completed a tour with Jools Holland performing her own retro style of music, this is not what she does at the Candy Box. She is the lead vocalist with our 13 piece little Big Band which includes a horn and string section. All music at the Candy Box is arranged by our Musical Director Danny McCormack ( who is also Van Morrison's Musical Arranger) especially for the night. Our musicians have played with Roy Wood; Van Morrison; Corinne Bailey Rae; Dexy's Midnight Runners; Il Divo; Suggs; Robert Plant; Jeff Beck; Richard Hawley and Paul McCartney. This is The Palookaville! Burlesque Orchestra who won the Ministry Of Burlesque Award. They are an entirely separate entity from the four piece Palookaville! who I think you are referring to when you say "organ-powered garage-rock they'll be pumping out " although I would love to know where you dreamed up the term 'spit and drool music'.
Any of the above information could have obtained from us with a simple email. I even volunteered it in the email that I sent with the photo link of *BOB* which you asked me for.
I do feel you have written a thoroughly under-researched article since you have, very clearly, never attended The Candy Box (if any burlesque night). I would like to invite you to remedy this by attending as our guest at our Sold Out show on Sunday and reviewing it. I feel extremely confident that you would feel differently if you did so. Please feel free to reply to this email with your name so we can add it to the list. Al and myself would be happy to also talk to you on the night after the show.
Or is it too much of a risk to be proved wrong?
I look forward to meeting you,
Regards,
Saffron Shearer-Gare AKA Parma Violet
Candy Box Burlesque Club, Birmingham.
__________________
" If I ever bore you, it'll be with a knife."
Louise Brooks
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