Creating a burlesque performance - with dynamic duo, the Queen B's

Enjoy another post in my ongoing series of exceptionally sporadic posts - catching up with performers who are embarking on the Act Development Course.

This year, I’ve been able to offer this course in two parts of the year, with performers being able to choose to work to a solo performance at our mid year or end of year Burlesque Showcase.

Each of the performers undertaking the course have about 4 -5 months to workshop an act from start to stage!

This week, I caught up with dyanmic duo, the Queen B’s.

You might have seen these two performers - Honey Bee and Bumble Bee - on stage, with both of them having attended our group classes for a few years now!

This dynamic duo were both attracted to burlesque after exploring different types of dancing.

Honey Bee had taken “many years of belly dancing and Bollywood dancing was looking for something different”.

The pair have attended so many styles of burlesque classes since including feather fan dancing, silk fan dancing, pinup and neo burlesque. Taking up the Act Development course was a natural progression and something the pair wanted to try.

They have found their groove doing all the major things that go with the creative development process: choosing stage names, individual names, music, theme, song choice, outfits, arranging photographs, and preparing media content.

Plus the pair have had to learn to work together, compromise. But the trade off is playing off each other during cheeky routine.

Photo: The Queen B’s (supplied)

Here is the part where I ask performers some quick fire questions about advice and tips they would give to anyone else embarking on this creative process.

What are the biggest challenges of getting a solo/duo together?

Probably the biggest challenge is that this is a big commitment and it is a lot of work.

What are the best tips you have learnt?

The workshops from Miss Kitty Meow were invaluable. We came to the process with our ideas and Grace was able to feedback to us to help make our vision come to life for the best performance possible. It often meant changing some things up to evolve our act with our outfits, props, choreography and characterisation. 

What advice would we give someone else wanted to do a solo?

Give it a go

Let your creative side out

If you are thinking about doing this- then just do it - No regrets

You can always do a duo like the Queen Bs

What are we most excited about performing at the show?

We will probably feel more excited once we have done the first Saturday night show knowing that the audience enjoys Queen Bs cheeky style of Burlesque. We are looking forward to telling our story through Burlesque and shining on stage!