Over the top glamour like an old fashioned Hollywood film as burlesque takes centre stage at the Brewhouse

Life is not just a Cabaret old friend but so is burlesque and the show must go on.

It will not only go on but it will and is coming to the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton on Friday, February 9 at 8pm.

Shhh! Burlesque promises the audience a night of glamour, sparkle, music, comedy and style.

You will be transported into the nightlife of Paris with showgirls, show boys, a vaudevillian compere and a tribute to ‘DITA’- Dita Von Teese.

As it states on Wikipedia: “Von Teese began performing burlesque in 1992, and, as a proponent of Neo-Burlesque, has helped to popularize its revival.

“Some of her more famous dances have involved a carousel horse, a giant powder compact, a filigree heart and a clawfoot bathtub with a working shower head. Her signature show features a giant martini glass.

“Her feather fan dance, inspired by burlesque dancer Sally Rand, featured the world’s largest feather fans.”

The star performer in Shhh! Burlesque is Carrie-Ann O’Dell who does the tribute act to Dita Von Tesse and runs Showgirl Entertainment which is responsible for the show.

It will be a ‘kind of home coming for Carrie-Ann O’Dell as she is originally from the South West of England coming from Bideford.

She did play at the Brewhouse Theatre a few years ago and is now looking forward to returning with her latest burlesque show.

Carrie said: “I have been performing burlesque for 10 years.

“I went to performing arts college and then it was a natural progression to doing a few shows and from that I fell into it.

“Burlesque is strip tease which comes from the old vaudeville shows.

“I set up Showgirl Entertainment which harks back to the type of shows seen at the Moulin Rouge and back to the era of the 1920s/1930s cabaret.

“What it does give is a touch of movie glamour and a freedom of performance.

“This is old school with feather boas and sparkling costumes.

“It is over the top, full of glamour and drama which will make you fell like you have stepped into a Holywood musical.

“The music is important with numbers such as numbers like Chivas Regal.

“I do a tribute to Dita Von Teese.

“Burlesque really burst back into the forefront of entertainment about 10/11 years ago thanks to Dita Von Teese.

(Von Teese is best known for her burlesque routines and is frequently dubbed the “Queen of Burlesque”) “She was responsible for bringing it back to the forefront of entertainment.

“Dita helped turn it around and knew where she wanted it to go. What she created was very glamours and as a result it grew and grew.

“It now has a huge following all around the world.

“She is like an ambassador for burlesque and has done so much for the burlesque community.

“Dita produced some very subtle performances and her costumes were astounding.”

In her own words, Dita said she: “puts the tease back into striptease”.

Carrie explained burlesque has grown and grown and it has a massive following all across the UK.

In the dictionary the definition of burlesque is: “A variety show, typically including striptease.”

Many people have a preconception of burlesque and think it could be too racy and something not for them.

But it is a show, a form of entertainment and one which will captivate and enthral.

Talking about why people should come to the show in order to change their perceptions of burlesque.

Carrie said: “Many will look at burlesque and say that is striptease but this striptease which is an art form.

“People come along to the shows dressed up to the nines.

“They wear ball gowns, tuxedos or steam punk clothes.

“I would say to people who are thinking of coming along to do so as they will have an amazing night of fun entertainment.

“If they have never seen it before then it will be a totally new experience for them and once they have seen the show they will want to see it again.”

This show sold out previously at the Brewhouse when it was last in town.

It is a very popular evening.

Early booking is strongly advised.

Tickets for Shhh! Burlesque start a full price from £17.

You can buy tickets either online at thebrewhouse.net or by calling the Brewhouse box office in Taunton on 01823 283244.