What makes a burlesque headliner – the top-billing, top-of-the-poster big draw that brings star power and house-down finales to any show or festival? A passion project born in Brisbane Australia aims to answer that question. Co-producers Bebe Gunn, Trigger Happy and Maddy Schneider, all proud Brisbanites, have combined their love of burlesque and touring to create “a heartfelt love letter” to the artform: Headliners.
Best known for Swamplesque, a burlesque parody that enjoyed two “massive” seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival after success back home, Trigger Happy has appeared in the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend Movers, Shakers, and Innovators showcase and America’s Got Talent, Bebe Gunn is a back-to-back Queensland Drag Performer of the Year, and Maddy Schneider has managed touring shows for Fringe World, Adelaide Fringe, In The Dark, and Harry K.
“This tour is our way of sharing international burlesque stars with a community that has given us so much love and support over the years,” they tell me. “The Australian burlesque scene is thriving, producing some of the most exciting and innovative performers in the world, but it’s not often we get the chance to perform in truly iconic venues on such a large scale. With Headliners, we aim to change that and give Australian artists the spotlight they deserve.”
The current tour, which continues in Melbourne on February 8 and Sydney on February 9 with shows and workshops, stars Miss Exotic World 2019 Frankie Fictitious and British powerhouse Banbury Cross, with Bettie Bombshell, Lucy Lovegun, Rhys Lightning, Lotta L’amour and Kitty Obsidian among other Australian all-stars.
“We’re beyond thrilled with the incredible talent we’ve assembled for the launch of Headliners. We fell in love with Frankie after working with her in Europe, and we were blown away by Banbury’s unforgettable, trophy-winning performance at the Burlesque Hall of Fame last year. They were both must-haves for our debut lineup.
“Selecting the Australian cast was both exciting and challenging. With so much local talent to choose from, it was impossible to narrow it down! We want to make sure we have a mix of acts – sexy, funny, weird, and everything in between, to truly capture the unique spirit of Australian burlesque.”
I caught up with Frankie, Banbury, and other dazzling cast members to discuss their Headliners experience and ask them what they think defines a burlesque headliner, as headliners themselves.
Frankie Fictitious
“Becoming a burlesque headliner is not about fitting into the mold, it’s about redefining it. A headliner doesn’t take the given path, they blaze a new trail. It’s about being innovative, unforgettable, raw and confident. A headliner‘s legacy goes beyond the stage. They uplift, inspire and elevate the community around them.
“Headliners is hilarious, glamorous, dazzling and camp AF. It has a lot of everything for everyone! I feel so fortunate I get to spend so much time with and work alongside these amazingly talented people.”
Banbury Cross
“Being a headliner is much like being an expert in any field. Years of accumulated knowledge and experience, studying and perfecting our craft, and learning from our mistakes, so we can teach, challenge, inspire and be an example of what burlesque represents now and what it can represent as we move forward (and of course not limited to classic technique).
“From a promoter’s side, a headliner or ‘name’ ultimately helps to sell tickets. But more importantly, it gives local newcomers or students the opportunity to see their favourite artists live and witness their ‘classroom exercises’ performed in real time.
“I’m super excited about Headliners! I did the Australian Burlesque Festival in 2013 and I love the concept of the ‘travelling troupe’. I was a newer performer back then, touring with four Miss Exotic Worlds, and the conversations, laughs, adventures (and heartaches) we shared taught me a lot about navigating my career in burlesque. I hope that I can do the same for someone on this tour – and beyond.”
Bettie Bombshell
“A headliner is an artist who has a unique perspective. They give us something we haven’t seen, thought of, or felt, packaged up in their own special way. They’ve got an angle, a twinkle in their eye, that certain chutzpah that we can’t get enough of. A certain level of experience and comfortability that you just can’t rush. They’ve just got ‘it’, whatever it is.
“Headliners is the purest celebration of Australian burlesque I’ve seen in a long time – and it’s a crime how often we’re forgotten down here. Australia has some of the most iconic burlesque you will ever see and usually we have to travel for around thirty hours and spend a lot of money to be seen.
“Seeing my pals night after night jumping out of their seats cheering for us is something I’ll never forget and do not take for granted. Sharing it with Frankie and Banbury, well, that’s something I will remember for the rest of my days.”
Kitty Obsidian
“For me, a headliner is not only someone who commands that stage with charisma, skill and star quality, but who continually develops their art and never stops learning. A headliner works hard for their community – our art is inherently political and a headliner does not shy away from that.
“The backstage vibes at Headliners are immaculate, since most of the cast have worked with each other before. Those who haven’t are quickly connected and it soon feels like a room of old friends happy to do a show again. The acts are all top notch (as expected) and really flow with each other to show a variety of styles of burlesque that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
Lotta L’amour
“To me, a burlesque headliner is someone who has honed their craft so magnificently that when they hit the stage they have the audience eating out of the palm of their hand. You feel at ease watching them and enthralled by every single second of their world-class act. Their confidence radiates on stage, and they are an inspiration to newer artists.
“Headliners has been the most wonderful show experience I’ve had in my four years of burlesque. The cast are all so professional and kind and we have a ball! I feel grateful to be a part of this lineup and to work with people I admire so much.”
Find out more and check out new tour dates at www.headlinersburlesque.com, and follow Headliners on Instagram.