Venue Magazine, Cover Feature, The Big Tease

   
...By the 1920s, the old burlesque circuits began to close and in an attempt to compete against the technology of film and radio, theatre owners began to introduce something they couldn't offer - the modern striptease. Strippers soon dominated the burlesque scene, with their routines becoming increasingly graphic, but there continued to be a strong emphasis on detailed costume, comedy and performance, with elaborate fan dances, nipple-tassel twirling, dancing contortionists and even transvestite strips.

 "The Big Tease is a return to that form of entertainment," explains event organiser Siena Barnes. "People are looking for something more than just a club and DJs." Siena's intention is to offer a whole range of acts, including cutting edge live music, with Il Bordello being "an ideal place where people can try new things."  

 Veronica, a member of the comedy striptease act Burly Q sees it as an escapism from a time of doubt. It provides an outlet for people who don't want to listen to trance music and take loads of Es all night. People always like good adult entertainment." Meanwhile, back at the launch of the Big Tease, this new-look burlesque serves up the aforementioned colourful strippers, singing, cowgirls and vintage DJs, compered by an all-singing, all-dancing camp bellhop. And it's an unmitigated success with the good ship Il Bordello almost sinking, thanks to the number of people crammed in to witness the shenanigans. Extract of an article by Mark Berry. Pic of Fancy Chance by Ted D'Ottavio.