✨ SO, YOU’VE BOOKED YOUR FIRST BURLESQUE & CABARET SHOW TICKET … NOW WHAT?

Stepping into the world of burlesque, cabaret, and circus for the first time is like opening a velvet curtain into a realm of glitter, chaos, and artistry. If you’ve never been before, you might be wondering: What exactly am I in for?

Fear not, curious adventurer - BOSS LADY has you covered. Here’s everything you can expect when the lights go down, the curtain rises, and the magic of a Velvet Burlesque show begins.

✨ A FEAST FOR THE EYES (AND EARS)!

Think glitter that catches the light like stardust, sequins that shimmer with every movement, rhinestones sparkling from corsets and gowns, feather fans unfurling like exotic wings, aerialists swinging high above the stage, fire that crackles with danger, nipple tassels twirling with mischief, and comedy sharp enough to make you cry with laughter. Add powerhouse live vocals that raise the roof, and circus skills so jaw-dropping you’ll wonder if gravity and health & safety have taken the night off - all of it woven into one intoxicating, unique evening of spectacle.

Burlesque isn’t just about striptease (although, yes, there’s artful tease and cheeky reveals aplenty). At its heart, burlesque is about storytelling - using glamour, humour, politics, satire, sensuality, and theatricality to tell tales that are bold, playful, and unapologetically unique. Every performer brings their own flair, whether it’s dazzling costume artistry, sly comic timing, or raw emotional presence.

Now add cabaret’s cheeky songs and razor-sharp comedy, mix in the charisma of music, theatre, and dance, and layer it with circus artistry that seems to defy the laws of physics. From aerial silks and hoops spiralling toward the ceiling, to jugglers, acrobats, knife-throwers, sword-swallowers, and fire-breathers pushing the boundaries of danger and delight - you’re looking at a stage show that keeps you hooked, guessing, and cheering from the very first spotlight to the last encore.

✨ VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF CABARET.

Unlike traditional theatre, a burlesque & cabaret show isn’t one long play with a single storyline - it’s a kaleidoscope of entertainment, a variety line-up designed to keep you on the very edge of your seat.

Every act brings something completely different: one moment you’re doubled over with laughter at a smutty song, the next you’re holding your breath as an aerial performer spins, twirls, and drops right in front of your eyes. Then, just as your pulse steadies, but before you’ve even caught your breath, you’re swept into a sultry burlesque number dripping with drama and unforgettable style.

This ever-changing rhythm is the beating heart of cabaret. It’s unpredictable, eclectic, and gloriously chaotic - a heady mix of glamour, danger, satire, mayhem, music, skills, striptease, and raw power - all stitched together with velvet thread. You’ll never quite know what’s coming next - and that’s exactly the point.

It’s a high-speed rollercoaster of spectacle and emotion, an intoxicating cocktail of entertainment where every sip tastes different, but every delicious drop leaves you wanting more!

It’s a living, breathing, lucky dip of entertainment where the only guarantee is that you’ll leave grinning, gobsmacked, or both! Variety isn’t just the spice here - it’s the whole banquet!

✨ AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (BUT NOT THE SCARY KIND)!

Burlesque, cabaret, and circus isn’t about sitting quietly in the dark - it thrives on breaking the fourth wall and pulling you into the atmosphere.

The performers don’t just perform at you; they perform with you.

Expect cheeky banter, playful glances, and the occasional moment where a performer might single you out for a laugh, a wink, or a flirt. You might even find yourself the punchline of a joke, the target of a saucy serenade, or the recipient of a feather fan flourish.

But don’t panic - it’s never cruel or uncomfortable! Cabaret is about celebration, not humiliation. The goal is always to make you feel like part of the fun, and to give you a memory you’ll be talking about long after the final curtain call.

Here’s the golden rule: the more you give, the more you get. Clap until your hands sting, cheer until your throat’s raw, whistle, stomp, and whoop like you mean it. Every ounce of energy you throw towards the stage is reflected right back at you, only bigger and brighter.

Think of it as a glorious two-way love affair between stage and audience - a conversation carried out in applause, laughter, and delighted voices. Your reactions don’t just encourage the performers - they help shape the show itself.

✨ EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!

Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all sequins and satin, or that it’s anything like that glossy Hollywood film and musical; "Burlesque" (yes, the one with Christina Aguilera and Cher belting it out on stage) ... Cabaret is a mischievous creature, and with it comes the kind of surprises you couldn’t script if you tried. 

And the best part? You’ll never quite know what combination of marvels is waiting for you on any given night!

The only way to truly understand it is to buy a ticket and experience an actual, real-life, authentic, grassroots burlesque and cabaret show for yourself.

Here’s the truth: if you came looking for predictable, you booked the wrong ticket! The Velvet Burlesque shows don’t play safe - they play spectacular!

✨ A SAFE, INCLUSIVE SPACE.

At its heart, burlesque, cabaret, and circus are about freedom. Freedom to express, to play, to shine in ways some of the mainstream stages (and musicals!) don’t always allow.

You won’t just see one body type, one gender, or one way of being fabulous - you’ll see a dazzling spectrum of humans who bring their own truth, power, and sparkle to the spotlight. That’s not a side note; it’s the whole point. These shows are a celebration of individuality, where difference isn’t just accepted, it’s adored.

Newcomers to veterans, 20-somethings to trailblazers, legends, and drag royalty who’ve been dazzling for decades - every stage of adult life shines here.

Any culture, ethnicity, sexuality, trans or non-binary brilliance, neurodivergent minds, every background, every faith (or none), curves, muscular strength or slim silhouettes, petite or statuesque, scars, disabilities, and those with access needs - everything and everyone has a place on our stage, and everything and everyone belongs in our audience too.

Every human on stage and off deserves respect. Celebrate loudly, but remember: consent isn’t just sexy, it’s compulsory.

So come exactly as you are. Throw on sequins if it delights you, or show up in jeans if that feels right. In this space, you’re not judged by what you wear, who you love, or how you move - you’re welcomed for bringing your whole, true self to the party.

Burlesque, cabaret, and circus have always thrived on being rebellious, subversive, and proudly outside the box. When you step into The Velvet Burlesque, you’re stepping into a community - a tribe - that doesn’t just tolerate difference - it roars with joy for it.

✨ YOU’LL WANT TO COME BACK!

First-time audiences always leave saying: “When’s the next one?” And honestly, who can blame them!

Burlesque, cabaret, and circus aren’t just shows - they’re experiences that get under your skin in the best possible way. They are addictive!

The thrill isn’t just what you see on stage, it’s also the atmosphere in the room: the electric buzz of the audience, the shared laughter and song, the wild applause, and the excited feeling that you’ve just witnessed something utterly spectacular.

No two Velvet Burlesque shows are ever the same, and that’s the secret. You’ll want to come back, because once you’ve seen one, you'll be hooked, and you’ll be desperate to know what happens at the next!

✨ READY TO EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF?

Whether it’s your first show or your fiftieth, book your next unforgettable night out here: THE VELVET BURLESQUE - SHOWS & EVENTS

Boss Lady - Lara Gothique

Founder, Curator, Choreographer, Performer, Swamp-Witch, and Slightly Feral Producer of The Velvet Burlesque™

© Lara Gothique - Velvet Burlesque™
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