She choreographs all her own routines. She makes her own costumes. She does her own exquisite styling. She also manages and books herself. And between international shows, she produces her own burlesque in hometown Liverpool. She is Millie Dollar and I had the pleasure of getting to know a little bit last week in Geneva. We ducked out of the icy wind for a chat about The Martini Lounge, Blue Martini and Voodoo Deluxe over a strong… chocolate!
How did you come to be performing at the Palais Mascotte in Geneva?
I was originally booked by a Paris agent for a month in March ’09. A month seemed so long- it was the first time I’ve been away for so long to do a regular cabaret. I was doing 2am shows each night and one act only. I did one of three routines each night: Powder Room (with giant powder puffs), Purple (a Bump and Grind routine) or Blue Martini (my favourite routine).
Why and how did you start burlesque?
I was interested in pin ups- Bettie Page etc and was researching and reading about them since I was 15. There were only a few people doing burlesque when I began, so I decided to bite the bullet and give it a go. I was originally going to become an interior decorator. At uni I did burlesque performance art so it was so exciting when I started performing and got to meet all these people I had studied, now being on the same stage as them. When I discovered that Sally Rand, who invented the fan dance, had the same name as me- I took it as a sign!
My first performance was in 2006. I had been working at a bar that did burlesque nights – I worked there as they saw me always dressed up and liked that. I said I would also like to perform… The first time I performed, the BBC was there- so I went home and saw myself on TV; the same night there was a French photographer who published the pics in a French magazine. So it was a good start!
It was an act where I was conducting an orchestra, getting hot and stripping- and shocking the orchestra. I had 5 inch tassels which were really hard to twirl, so I did one at a time.
I now produce bi-monthly cabarets in Liverpool- ‘The Martini Lounge’ and now, in its second year, I book international burlesque stars such as Kitten on the Keys (the audience LOVED her).
What for you is good burlesque?
I prefer burlesque to be all rounded- with thought gone into the costumes, the routine, the presentation… I can’t stand seeing performers who haven’t done their hair or make up. You can’t rely on having beautiful costumes, you have to embody the ideals from the original burlesque performers. Like Gypsy Rose Lee. She was ‘plain’ growing up, overshadowed by her ‘beautiful’ blonde sister. I like when plain girls actually show the opposite. In Ziegfeld shows, it would be the girls he found working in department stories and showed how to move, make themselves up and do their hair who were the most beautiful.
What qualities does a burlesque dancer need?
The ability to act professionally when something goes wrong. I had a routine with huge powder puffs and underneath I had a g-string that laced up on the sides. Onstage once it came undone! I had to get it tied back up without looking worried. Things don’t always go to plan and you have to go with it.
What was one of your recent gigs of note?
For Voodoo Deluxe Agency in Milan- I did the Summer Jamboree with a 50s band from the US. It was huge. I had an assistant, a driver… it was a small taste of celebrity with photographers everywhere… and to be honest it was getting a bit much- it was invasive and constant.
Usually burlesque audiences are more female than male but here it was nearly all men- and about 3- 4000 of them! When I performed, I’d glance across the crowds, I did have a few moments! When I spit the olive in Blue Martini- it hit someone on the head. Later he came up to me, pulled it out of his pocked then put it back in! Voodoo Deluxe called me the queen of Voodoo Deluxe- so I’m something of the face of their agency now.
How have you changed since you began performing?
My costume making has gotten a lot better! When I did spend money to get something made for me once I was disappointed, so decided to keep sewing things myself. I’ve never trained as a seamstress but just work with trial and error.
My tag line used to be ‘England’s most graceful teaser’ but after going to LA and seeing how much more confident they are there, I decided to become more bump and grind. This was when I decided to create Blue Martini.
Blue Martini is really more me and it’s more confident.
An American performer friend, Renea Le Roux, oozes sexuality on stage, with her costumes on… and that’s what I wanted. She came over to the UK and we sat down and talked about my costume. The first time I performed the act, I was nervous and the public knew it was the first time. But it was my audience and they were calling ‘go Millie, go Millie’ and afterwards my mum, who was there said ‘oh it was so great!’
Performing has made me closer to my parents. My parents were really worried at first when they found out I was performing burlesque-for six months… and now my mum compares some of my shows! She saw how passionate I was about it and seeing me perform my different routines made her change her ideas. She runs a disables arts festival and we do something together on that.
My boyfriend is very supportive also- he came to help as a stage hand right near the beginning when someone pulled out– and he was nervous about picking up knickers! (laughs) He’s also a performer in a band and very confident which helps me be confident. He comes to lots of my shows but not all of them which is good- it allows me to be more independent and when he does come, I like it.
What’s next for Millie Dollar?
I’m working on a new routine. I had a break from producing shows and now am producing international performers. I’m preparing for the the next Martini Lounges: 23rd December and 17 February. I’m thinking about going back to the States for a tour and perhaps a European tour.
Millie Dollar performs along side some other saucy performers including some of the Cabaret de Filles de Joie from Paris, Lila and Miako Mascotte in the Cabaret Coquin until Dec
ember 18 or see her other dates and info here.
