Cutsie Chrys burlesque star heads to Leamington

The cute yet controversially named classically trained pianist and pin-up model is one of the stars of An Evening of Burlesque, which takes place at the Spa Centre next Friday.

In a show which combines various types of entertainment with couture costumes Chrys’s signature act the Naked Nocturne, in which she plays Chopin while performing a striptease, is among the highlights.

She said: “My style is quite cutsie, elegant and graceful and it can be quite sexual as well but with the Naked Nocturne there is an element of comedy.

“Burlesque is about parody, being larger than life and taking something existing and creating entertainment with a sarcastic element.

“The great thing about the show and one of the most rewarding things is taking it to towns where people might never have heard of the word burlesque and we get an amazing response.

“There is something in it for everyone – the glamour and showgirl element, comedy, great music, an amazing compere and the audience really gets involved which is what burlesque is all about.”

A trained performer and musician from an early age Chrys grew up with a fascination for the glamour of Hollywood films and cabaret.

She discovered the burlesque style, which originates from the music halls of the 17th century and the rise of the Moulin Rouge in the 1890s, during her time as a fashion model in her teens.

She took to the stage as a burlesque performer about four years ago and has since appeared in shows all over the world including a television appearance with the world famous Dita Von Teese.

Chrys said: “I never noticed at the time but if you look at a lot of the music videos in the 1980s and the 1990s there are elements of it in them.

“Then Dita Von Teese became the first to become an actual international superstar and she raised awareness of burlesque and made it possible for us to work with it.

“We’ve got a great deal to thank her for.”

An Evening of Burlesque is compered by Kiki Kaboom and includes such talents as Miss Hotcake Kitty, Amber Topaz, Miss Slinky Sparkles, Ginger Blush and the Kalki Hula Girl.

All offer their own approach and take on the burlesque genre.

Chrys said: “It’s part of my lifestyle, I dress very contemporary but I’m inspired by the 1950s and I like to look very girly in dresses with cute patterns – it’s quite theatrical.

“It depends on the individual. It doesn’t really matter as long as they put on an amazing show on the stage but if you love that style and live it then that is great as well and it’s a great dress rehearsal.”

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £20 or £17 for concessions.

Call 334411 or clock on the link on the top right.