Dancers tease Office audience

Sensuality, humour and female empowerment…all of these and much more were served up by the Cadillac Vamps Burlesque troupe during their “Tease-o-rama” show last Saturday night at Call the Office.

It was a one-of-a-kind experience to attend a live Burlesque show, and the Cadillac Vamps were more than impressive. It was a full night of entertainment, including one or more performances by each member of the Cadillac Vamps troupe, the hilarious dialogues of MC Furious Phil and a musical act to wrap up the show.

Traditionally, burlesque dancers offer a sensual-filled show, full of ranchy humour, near-naked strip teases and dirty-dancing. The Cadillac Vamps troupe successfully add a modern influence to the tradition, with personas such as the punky “Misfit Missy.”

Although audiences should expect to see some traditional performances, (including music inspired by the 1940's, feather boas and fishnet tights), combined with performances that include more modern styles of music and dance.

Carrie Russell, the centre of the Cadillac Vamps troupe, and her administrative assistant, Jen Spencer are extremely passionate about their work. Russell and Spencer are both Fashion Design students at Fanshawe College, and they are responsible for bringing the shows together, including booking the musical acts and venues, as well as taking care of all of the administrative duties that come along with putting on a great show.

All of the women that perform with the Cadillac Vamps troupe are responsible for creating their own stage personas, (which are modeled after each performers personal character, hobbies or interests), making or buying their own costumes, and coming up with their own ideas for performances.

Russell became interested in Burlesque in her late teens. Although she originally intended to begin performing in Toronto, Russell's busy lifestyle persuaded her to begin looking for opportunities here in London. The Cadillac Vamps are now very successful, averaging one big show every four to six months.

One of their secrets to success is networking with Burlesque troupes in other cities and occasionally switching performers with other troupes to improve their shows.

Eventually, Russell plans to include a small tour of Ontario, and attending a Burlesque festival in New York or Las Vegas. Her approach to Burlesque is very laid-back, and she prefers to take it “one show at a time.”

It was surprising to find the audience at Call the Office predominately made up of women, while there were many people of all ages and backgrounds present. When she first began performing, Russell expected the audiences to be in the nineteen to twenty-five year old ranges. In reality, there are high school aged kids who are upset that they are not old enough to attend (it is a 19+ event). In the end, it is an appreciation for this theatrical-style entertainment that ties the audience members together.

Russell also emphasized the fact that Burlesque is very empowering for women. It is important to understand that Burlesque is very different from stripping, because it is completely desexualized and there is a theatrical element involved. The Cadillac Vamps are all very confident, sexy women of many different sizes and personalities, who are actively performing to a passive audience. As an audience member, you do not know what will happen next; the performers are completely in control.

Saturday's performance was also very classy, in that the women did not actually remove all of their clothes; they only provided a small strip tease.

If you are looking to get involved in Burlesque, be sure to watch for the periodic auditions to perform with the Cadillac Vamps troupe, which are held by Russell. You must be very confident, have a team mentality and be comfortable with who you are to be successful. In addition to this, you must come to the audition with your costume, routine and persona ready.

If you missed Saturday's show, you still have an opportunity to see this talented group in action. They will be performing on Saturday, February 10 in London at “The Last Drop,” which is located on 511 Talbot Street. Although they will not be the main act, they will be contributing to the “Valentines Day Variety Show.” Tickets for Cadillac Vamps Burlesque shows can normally be purchased at Speed City or BNVS, both of which are located on Richmond Street. For more information about the Cadillac Vamps Burlesque troupe, visit their website at www.cadillacvamps.com, or visit Russell's Myspace at www.myspace.com/miss_cherrydelight

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