After nearly 3 weeks of being in bed with a ridiculous chest infection, going to the Candy Box looked unlikely, my only other venture out of the house was to Asda and that didn't go well. As I was standing in the queue looking like death warmed up, I thought I'd made the wrong decision. As soon as Imelda sang the theme from Red Dwarf, I knew I couldn't have missed this for the world!
The Candybox had returned and was on top form! The first act was Cherry Deville, pretty as a picture and dressed as a lobster, she was fantastic! What an original act, I would love to see more of her. Missy Malone did a fabulous naughty nurse act, looking amazing as ever, I could watch her all night long. Leyla Rose is a definate crowd pleaser, and did an amazing belly dance, and what a performance from Kitten Deville, you couldn't take your eyes off her, she has so much energy, Amazing. Romany, the magician of the year was ok, but it just didn't do it for me, but hey, I'm really hard to please.
All in all, what a fantastic night, Palookaville rocked the joint and the Candied Heels were adorable as ever. I can't wait til August for the Hi De Hi show, (loving the postcards by the way!)
I'm so glad the Candy Box is back, Birmingham was a much duller place without it!
Three cheers for Al and Saffron, Hip Hip...........

... Hooray!

I think Al and Violet taking a break did them the world of good. The Candy Box is back and better than ever - a pretty mean feat all things considered.

I really enjoyed Cherry DeVille - she is amazingly funny and if her stdents have one tenth of her skills then they are, in my eyes, money in the bank. Having watched this Lobster Lady I can see why The Pitty Patt Club has been running successfully for so long.

Missy Malone was a very naughty nurse, fulfilling many peoples fantasies I'll bet... NO COMMENT! Her Nurse act was on par with her Sailor routine and The bRide of Frankenstein, two acts I have really enjoyed watching.

Leyla Rose - what a doll. I think the Princess Leia Gold Bikini and the Gothic Horror Movie look pressed far too many buttons for me! But I've still yet to see that infamous Werewolf act!

Hmmm, I disagree with mistreslenore. I thought Romany was very suited to the show. I have to admit that I didn't enjoy being dragged up on the stage as I didn't have a clue what I was meant to be doing and I had stuff going on just outside of my sight, something that unnerved me a little at times, but the audience seemed to be enjoying themselves and that trick with the balloon and the bottle of wine/bird cage was amazing. I was right beside the woman and I still couldn't see how it was done. But cheers for the wine, shame my buddy Jacob just gota paper hat.

The Candied Heels had me laughing - t'was like watching a bad B-Movie from the seveties.

Kitten Deville was very energetic. I'm not a big fan of American Showgirl style Burlesque (is that right?) but her energy carried my attention throughout the act and entertained me.

As usual Palookaville and Imelda May performed perfectly - MoB Awards Best Band 2008 and MoB Awards Best Female Singer 2008 anybody? They both deserve it.

And finally, for me, the best act of the night was Trixie Sparkle. I really thought Cherry DeVille was going to win the night for me with her Lobster Lady act - but Trixie Sparkle came out and owned the stage and my attention, and all with a very straight act (bar the third nipple tassel). I confess that I screamed and whooped myself horse because she was so damned good.

And finally Al was his usual self - worst compere ever! He's not fit to clean the Glee Club bogs with a toothbrush. Sack him and replace him with Dean Beresford, the drummer.

But seriously, thank you to Al and Parma for another great night out - once again they provided somthing for everyone. And they also haven't let their success go to their heads - Al kindly plugged the three other Burlesque shows in Bimingham - The Cherry Pop Peep Show, Red Rocks! and my very own show, Silk Stocking Striptease Show - no pressure then!

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Gehenna on MySpace

Aha, you were up on the stage, now I can put a face to the name (just about!) I didn't mean to sound negative, I think possibly because I was a distance from the stage that I missed out on some of the close up stuff.
I'm intrigued as to what was going on out of your eyesight.......

I'm afraid you'll have to tell me what was going on outside my vision, I had to face the audience which meant the minute Romany did anything even slightly behind my field of vision I couldn't see. And I feel it's ok to say you didn't enjoy something so long as you don't start ripping said performer to pieces.

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Gehenna on MySpace

I just wanted to add my thanks and hugest admiration to Al and Saffron for the glorious return of the Candy Box. (And I shall never look at most of the costumes the same way again now I realise they're Saffron's hard work! Crikey.)

Your hard work really is appeciated in drawing such a splendid show together!

Candy Box was another night of pure joy for me yet again. I was honoured to meet two truly excellent performers I hadn't met before - Cherry DeVille and Trixee Sparkle. They were both a delight to work with drink with and watch and I hope to do it again soon.

Everyone loves The Candied Heels. They are the flavour of the Candy Box for me. Adorable really is the word.

One of the things I love about Candy Box is when you get to see performances from the likes of Romany. She was just such a lovely lady with a really relaxed nature backstage. From her beautiful costume and lovely voice to her unbelieveable tricks I was very taken with her.

It was a thrill of course to work with Kitten DeVille. It is like she has some sort of built-in motor in her hips! I've always liked watching her videos but in real life it is incredible to watch her move. And she was a joy to be with too.

I think I needn't say how much I loved Missy's nurse. Unusually, I hadn't even see a rehearsal of it so it was a treat to watch her break out a new act that is right up to the very high standard of the rest of her performances. I'd be nervous if she was taking care of me if I was sick. She loves those latex gloves a bit too much.

I really enjoyed performing my Vampira tribute, but I hope I gave everyone a really good eyeful of that Princess Leia Gold Bikini. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to Saff for creating that marvel of an outfit, and she worked so so hard on it. She's become a little obsessed, in fact, and has taken it back off me to keep working on it!! I'll be posting up the footage of my acts on my myspace soon (www.myspace.com/leylarose) because thanks to Carrie I have them now. But I urge you to have a look at how good the outfit is because Saff is nothing short of a wonder. I'm going to get as much use out of that costume as I can. Sci Fi conventions, here I come!

Al and Saff have done it again. I can't get enough.
xx

What a great show, as always!

Imelda May just seems to get better and better every time I see her. She can turn her hand to any type of music and I just have the utmost admiration for her!

As I do for Leyla Rose, who has been probably my favourite performer since the first Candybox I ever went to!!!

And what a treat to see Kitten Deville at last- her workshop was great fun too!

Well done to everyone, it was such a fun night.

Oh I did, I made sure of it! I want a Leia bikini myself so I was admiring the work Saffron had put into yours ^_^ Almost glad I didn't manage to get a Leia outfit in time though, I think you and Imelda between you may have shown me up a little ...

Thanks for your warm words everyone. It was great to be back - we couldn't have done it without all the support from you guys and of course our AMAZING performers.
We're still recovering!!
Cheers,
Al and Saff xxx

Well what a weekend this has been!

Candy Box is back and Better than ever!

From the moment I was queuing with Miss Ditzy Diamond and Madame Gulliotine outside to the very last note from Palookaville I was just on Cloud Nine.

The highlights for me:

Leyla Rose's Vampira tribute act and making every Star Wars geek in the crowd's dream come true with that Princess Leia costume. (Saffron my congrats to you it is fantastic a piece of work!)

Being handed a thermometer during Missy Malone's act! ( Ah the benefits of being at the front!)

Romany, just a superb Magician a rather a little saucy!

Being hit by the top of Deidre's confetti gun before being covered in the stuff.

Olivier's novel: he will go far!

Al's rendition of The Galaxy Song with added lightsaber: top that Eric Idle!

Cherry for such a brilliant Lobster Girl act!

Imelda May, just as amazing as she has been every Candy Box!

and of course Kitten DeVille finally making it Candy Box and what a quake she has and for pulling out my cravat and placing it between her teeth for a photo...my oh my!

Al and Saffron, once again you've pulled it off!

What more can I say than roll on August!

DG xxx