God that's awful. Do you think it was another performer or an audience member wandering in? Performer security doesn't ever seem to be a very high priority of promoters. I've had several experiences of male audience members just wandering straight in to the dressing area while I've been seminaked, on the pretext of saying well done or whatever, but you know they either want an eyeful or to snoop about knicking stuff.Grr.

Twinkle Starr xx

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www.myspace.com/twinkle79

someone tried to walk off with my tightwire once until they realised it was so heavy. dropped it on his toe and yelped alerting us to his nasty stinky presence. thats the problem with doing "community workshops"

however, in a professional enviroment; surely you should never be asked how much you are owed. Excepting friend's events, I provide an invoice one week before the event and one when I arrive at the event in an envelope. I expect either a cheque or cash with reciept in a similar envelope (even the same i'm not that picky)

i'm truly sorry to hear thats happened to you

vicxx

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www.frayedknot.org.uk
http://www.myspace.com/ameliesoleil

I really feel for you. A few months ago I had my bag stloen from the boot of my car while at the ballet! It had nearly all my make-up in!

It not a nice feeling knowing someone done something like that!

Hope it works out.

Miss Diamond Blush

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www.missdiamondblush.com
www.myspace.com/missdiamondblush

that's terrible, especially when I am sure you worked really hard for that money!
I have up to date lost a Gothic Lolita tea maids dress with great sentimental value which came all the way from Tokyo (plus the underskirt and the bra, some crazy assed theif must be doing my act all over the Uk as we speak), £80 from a float for our night, countless bras and cat ears have been stolen by pervs in the audience. I remember a night in Liverpool when one hideously dressed boy wearing Wellingtons (in June) tried to steal not one of our but three of our costumes.
Good that the club are reimbursing you, everytime I have had something nicked they always apologise but refuse to take responsibility.

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www.myspace.com/evabraunandtheghouls
www.cyanidecocktail.co.uk

I think it is crucial in instances like this that night organisers do all they can to ensure that safety and well-being of performers and their belongings.

At High Tease and Spitfire for example, performers all had a secutiry tags, or were already known by the backstage staff, so no members of the public had access backstage.

Unfortunately sometimes securiry is down to the venue rather than promoters, which I can see may be a problem.

I totally agree that Daiquiri shouldn't have been asked about cash in front of people, well inappropriate.

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www.myspace.com/thelittleredfairy

It's a mini adventure

Sorry to hear about the theft. I must have been awful. I hope you are feeling better.


Taj x

Well, that was just over 2 weeks ago and I haven't heard anything. The promoter told me he would send me a cheque or postal order within a few days but I have not received anything. Messaged them last night but no reply, I'm going to try and phone tomorrow. I have a feeling that as I travelled quite far to perform, they will try to fob me off cos it's too far to go back and confront them but I will persist and let you know what happens. And if I do get screwed over, I will post the name of the club, which I have so far kept out of it, out of niceness! Grrr...

xx

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Bizarre / MoB Battle of Burlesque Winner (2008)
MoB Awards Finalist - Best Newcomer (2007)

Sorry to resurrect this, but I have decided it is name and shame time!
Since my last post, I have spoken with the organisers on 2 occasions. On the first, I was apologised too - "Oh, I'm sorry, I passed it onto the club owner and I thought he would have contacted you, I'll chase him up and get him to call you" etc.
After that, I heard nothing for several more weeks, so I messaged them again. This time I was told they can't actually reimburse me until they have finished dealing with the police (who were looking into it) and their insurance company.
So I decided enough was enough. I googled the phone number of the local police station to the venue and called them to see what was taking so long. And guess what? 2 months down the line, and the incident had NEVER even been reported. The policewoman went right back through the records and could find no contact from the club or organiser. I filed a report there and then, but obviously it was a bit late!
So basically, the club had totally lied to me, pretending to have reported it when they didn't. When I messaged them and said it had never been reported and that I had just done so, the reply I got was "...Good news about the police. Hope we hear something soon."
Erm, what the f**k?
So I am utterly fed up of the whole thing now, so it with utter displeasure that I name the club as

The Flaming Ace in Stockton.

This is not just a rant. To be fair, as mentioned before, I had a lovely time on the evening - everyone was very nice and it was all well-organised.
However, having had my money stolen at the end of the evening then being completely deceived and messed around by the organisers since then has really put me off, and I warn other performers to be careful!

Daiquiri xx

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Bizarre / MoB Battle of Burlesque Winner (2008)
MoB Awards Finalist - Best Newcomer (2007)

It may be worth pooling all of our experiences and trying to put together a brief guide to security tips for performers. I know a lot of it will probably be pretty obvious but it might be good for newer folks....and nobody can think of everything.

Fortunatley I've never had anything taken at a performane, but I have mostly done Rocky Horror.....who wants to steal ripped fishnets covered in cake!

Hope it works out for you Daiquiri honey.

Vendetta xxxxVxxx

Um, I can think of a few! so get those fishnets put away STRAIGHT after the show next time.

I can just imagine all the drooling fans sneaking into our "dressing room" (aka fire exit fragranced with Pish) to rummage in our piles of crap just to get into your hosiery! the cake is just an additional incentive!

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Deirdre The Usherette
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