Alternative Nightlife

I was working on a cosmetics counter in Selfridges with no career plan. I have always loved singing and dancing but I didn’t formally train. I started to realise that if I wanted to fulfil my dream of becoming a performer, I would have to generate it myself. I met Jo King at the London Academy of Burlesque and she showed me an art form which had so much more to offer.

Completely inspired, I decided that to create something that was traditionally burlesque, incorporating song and theatre, was the way to go. I aptly named it Hurly Burly and here we are!

Although I run the troupe alone, I get companies calling me and asking for the PR or advertising department all the time. I have been known to disappear off the line then come back on with a different voice! I wish I had known before I started to avoid mixing business with pleasure. Do not work with friends or potential boyfriends!
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There don’t appear to be any other troupes with the same set up or working on the same scale as us. It surprises me that we have cornered a market, we are very lucky.

I take my inspiration from burlesque and Hollywood stars of the 1940s and ’50s, and also pin-up artwork from the same era. These women exuded glamour which isn’t as prominent in society today, we want to bring that back, along with curves and charisma! Our performances do have a comedic tongue-in-cheek element to them, which keeps it cute and ‘burlesque’.

My favourite moment? I was on a train sitting next to a man reading a piece in the paper about us. I peered over, spotted myself and in my surprise, I grabbed the paper from him saying ‘That’s me, that’s me!’ I think he thought I was a freak.

Miss Polly Rae and her Hurly Burly Girlys are at the Soho Revue Bar on April 19. See www.hurlyburlyuk.co.uk.