October was a nice quiet month for me burlesque wise. I had to turn a couple of gigs down unfortunately and a show for Halloween was cancelled but what with swine flu, mum being in hospital and a couple of my kids birthdays thrown in for good measure it was good to have the time off.
So instead (as well of course as diligently working on my new acts *coughs*) I interviewed my kids about what it's like to have a mum who is a burlesque performer. It's a subject that comes up on burlesque forums fairly often and there are a fair few of us out there with children. Personally I've never considered hiding burlesque performing from...well anyone really and certainly not my kids. If people ask what my children or family think of my performing I usually answer that they are supportive and proud but I thought maybe it was time that I asked them directly.
Here are the results.... I doubt very much that I will still be performing when they are teenagers but I've a feeling I may receive a different set of answers if I repeated this interview in 5 yrs time.
Interviews with Jacob (9 nearly 10 yrs) Holly (8yrs) Alex (5yrs)
What's it like to have a mum who is a burlesque performer?
Jacob - It's fun to watch at home when she's practicing. Most of the time when she's doing routines she's out at a show so we don't get to see.
Holly - I like it because she lets me watch her acts, it's cool.
Alex - I feel a bit sad when you go somewhere without me.
Do you tell other people you know what your mum does?
Yes.
I've told my best friend and my teacher and that's it.
No.
Are you embarrassed if your mates at school know?
No because I don't care what they think about my family and I know my mum's lovely. (Clearly angling for those pokemon cards here.)
No, not at all.
No.
What is your favourite routine?
Caterpillar.
Happiest Christmas Tree.
Viking (Valhalla)
Why?
Cos it's funny and I like the way she's trying to get the butterfly to like her and she keeps failing and then in the end she says tough I'm going out with the snail now.
because I like the song and the dance and I like it when you give out chocolate. I like the outfit too.
because at the end she uses the shield to 'shield' everyone.
What don't you like about having a mum who does burlesque?
When we're playing and she's practicing she makes us take all our stuff out of the lounge into the hall which is too narrow to play in. (You have a bedroom.....)
I don't like not being able to go to the shows and see you when you are doing it in front of people.
Some of the dances are too scary. I get scared of some of the viking music and the axe.
Would you like to go to a burlesque show when you are older?
Yes because I haven't seen one yet and I want to see what it's like.
Yes because I would like to watch people doing their stuff. I like bloomers, some people wear bloomers.
No because I'd get too tired, it's a long night.
What is burlesque?
It's people on stage that do this performance and it's supposed to be something that's funny for adults.
Thanks kids, now get back up that chimney!
