ESTIVAL GEARS UP TO SHOWCASE THE WIDE VARIETY OF PERFORMERS

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“Burlesque is one of the oldest art forms in the world so to be part of something that’s got so much history and is a bit controversial as well is really cool.”

More than 100 people have applied to take part in the festival this year. Their videos will now be viewed by Roxy and her team who will decide who they think is the best fit.

Unlike other festival of its kind, there is no fee to apply or take part, to make it as inclusive as possible.

AS well as the well-known Dita Von Teese style of burlesque, a number of comedy performers, showgirls and workshops will be taking place over the four-day event.

“The community that we’ve got is really accepting”, Roxy explains. “It’s hard to stand on stage and do what we do and take your clothes off and I think people in Glasgow are very accepting and we give everybody a try.

“I think you have to, even if someone gets stage but isn’t the best, you have to give them praise for doing it it’s the same with any performing acts. The community is very supportive.”

For the who chose to take on burlesque dancing, it is all about finding body confidence.

Acts represent a range of body shapes which are not always seen in magazines or in the media.

The fact that the industry celebrates curves and sexuality is all part of the appeal for the people who take part, giving them a sense of empowerment that they have never felt. Another major draw is the costumes. The majority of performers dress in the typical burlesque aesthetic, seen in films or made famous by people like Dita Von Teese.

Tina Warrren, owner of Club Noir, believes that the “glamour”element is a big attraction.

“I think its popularity has to do with body image and the fact that it’s just not gorgeous show girls with 6ft long legs. It’s all to do with the glamour – you can’t get more glamorous than a good burlesque show.”

Club Noir has been running in Glasgow for 13-years to audiences as big as 2000 but its founder believes there will always been an element of burlesque that is niche.

SHE explains: “The quality is great in Glasgow – there’s a wealth of performers and the acts are very good. “We don’t appreciate that we’ve got all these great performers on our doorstep.

“Although more people are aware burlesque now than ever, I don’t think its mainstream. It’s still a very niche art form. Even for people like Dita Von Teese.

“I think it will keep going underground after we finish up with our Hogmanay show. I can’t see anyone stepping into Club Noir’s shoes.”

For Roxy, the smaller size of the festival makes it easier to cater to people’s needs.

She explains: “We have quite a varied following, when you look at the audience it’s not just one kind of person.

“I’d like it to be bigger but I like it being different to what people expect. Audiences aren’t going to enjoy 10 performers walking back and forward pretending they’re Dita Von Teese. They want the rude and the quirky and I want to keep it a mixture of everything – I want to keep people guessing.

“I want people who perform because they want to. We’ve had so many women who are body confidence advocates. I want to keep it so it’s all for everyone.

“We usually have a night of glamorous stuff and then we put comedy in there.

“Most people know Dita Von Teese and that’s what they will assume burlesque is like – a showgirl corporate hire with sparkly rhinestones.

“Of course there are people like that but they also incorporate comedy. People have their eyes open when they come along.”

For anyone looking to try a bit of burlesque themselves, seasoned performer Roxy says going to shows is the best way to go about it.

“Go and speak to people. One of the mistakes I made was not going to shows – I just Googled it. I didn’t have much of an income so I couldn’t really afford to go.

“You don’t have to go to classes but go to shows so you don’t start stealing other people’s act.”