Imogen Kelly Photo Angela McConnell
It was Imogen Kelly who gave me one of my very first professional cabaret gigs. She was hosting a circus themed variety show in a tent at Bondi beach for the Sydney Fringe and her reputation preceded her as being stunning, unique and courageous.
After the show, she took time out from her many admirers to talk to us (I’d duo-ed with a girl I’d befriended in Sydney Dance Company tap class a couple of weeks earlier). Imogen was remarkably generous with her time, compliments and encouragements. The Queen of Burlesque then put me in contact for my next round of performances in Melbourne and later hooked me up internationally for gigs at The Glastonbury Festivl and in London. A seasoned cabaret performer’s contact list is worth its weight in golden tap plates and is not so often shared so openly…
Imogen’s generosity is wonderfully also present on stage. Seeing her recently perform at Six Quick Chicks was such treat- her elegance and skill sitting perfectly upon classic beauty and a sense of humour. Imogen is performing tonight with a star studded line-up of seasoned performers at 34B in a production produced by the talented and diverse Pip Branson and hosted by the one and only Christa Hughes If you’ve had bad burlesque experiences- this is the night that will fix it all up! Info on the Facebook event here.
This is what they say about it:
Citizens of Sydney, Your polite and sophisticated inner eastern city areas are not what they appear. Bubbling under the surface is a subculture of intrigue and terror that once permeated depression-era Sydney from Surry Hills to Paddington as the d…
34B delves deep into the compelling world of vice populated by characters such as the warring madams Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh and blood thirsty gangsters Guido Calletti and Big Jim Devine. Part Theatre, part Cabaret and total visual feast – this is 34B Burlesque as you have never seen it before!
Witness the confessions of:
IMOGEN KELLY The Queen of Australian Burlesque, an internationally recognized Burlesque superstar, Imogen makes her return to 34B to retell the stories of some of 1920s most nefarious and salacious characters through her seductive art!
LOLA THE VAMP Throughout the world Lola has stunned audiences with her meticulously researched and flawlessly practised classic Burlesque. She returns to Sydney to remind us of the citys baser instinct.
BABY BLUE BERGMAN The darling Miss Bergman shows us some pictures from a bawdy magazine she found under her madams bed. Can such carnal depravity be possible?
DONNA DYNAMITE Flying high above the city (and directly above the audience) is this high wire explosives expert! Beware.
VENUS VAMP They say no jail can hold this wanton woman. But what does her future hold as she stages her latest shocking getaway
ELECTRIC DREAMS Shes dealt with her pimp now this libidinous lass is swinging off the pole in search of all the immoral fun Sydney has to offer if she can outrun the razor boys
With MC CHRISTA HUGHES World class jazz diva, ringmaster and rock star – and also the original MC of 34B – Christa (and her golden tonsils) are welcomed back as the perfect lady-libertine to navigate you through the lecherous world of East Sydney smut.
And DJ JACK SHIT Your soundtrack to Vice 1920s Sydney style!
34B Burlesque sits right in the heart of the fabled Razorhurst area at 44 Oxford St. Now in its 6th year 34B is Sydneys premier Burlesque club mixing art, music, performance and tease into a heady cocktail of unique entertainment every month at the Exchange Hotel.
PRE SALE tickets $20 General Entry $30 Reserved Table (min 3 persons) Through moshtix.com.au (from Monday March 21)
Doors 8:30 pm Shows 9:20 pm sharp 34B 44 Oxford St Darlinghurst.
For Pre show dining we recommend The Falconer 31 Oxford St. Ph 9267 8434
