When I got the word that there would be burlesque at the VMFA, I smiled and said, “Well, that should stir some things up!” What a way to gentrify an audience and bring to light that which is burlesque culture here in Richmond. I immediately started thinking about what they would be doing to create the evening. Producer Deepa de Jour put together a demure burlesque-lite show featuring Philly Cara Mel, Chris Chaos, Dolli Holiday and Ophelia Derriere. It was an evening of elegance and Russian decadence with lots of sparkly things onstage.
The show began with the always-entertaining Southern Fried Socialite herself, Miss Magnolia Jackson Pickett Burnside, making an entrance that would make Ethan Hunt proud. The theme music from Mission Impossible boomed through the theater as our hostess made her way to the stage to “steal” the Empress Josephine Tiara! Who woulda thunk a drag queen would be on a VMFA stage, let alone donning herself with Faberge… ground was breaking this eve.
Dolli Holiday and Deepa De Jour, both instructors at the Richmond Institute of Burlesque, had very elegant performances. Dolli and her silk “wings” resembled the Eagle adorning the “Imperial Czarevich Easter Egg” as she soared on stage. This was a very pretty number, confirming her tagline, “The Class Act.”
Deepa, always the seductress, used silk fan veils for her performance. It created a beautiful ripple effect, resembling water. Her interpretation of the “Nobel Ice Egg” was slow and classic, to untimately to reveal a sparkly Deepa in the end. Deepa’s gift is her tempo in her performances. She lures an audience in, and does it well.
In my opinion, it is more captivating to see a woman taunt an audience than a man, but I have a newfound admiration for Richmond’s up and coming boylesque star, Mr. Chris Chaos. I have seen Mr. Chaos perform here three times, and each time it gets better. It is apparent he takes his craft seriously and wants to not only to engage an audience, but grow as an entertainer. He is poised when he needs to be, and combines this silent strength with humor at precise moments. His interpretation of “Statuette of a Sailor” was not only charming, but fun! He gave Tim Curry a run for his money. He allows people to come along the ride, and the man has a body worth looking at! The audience loved him like a scoop of ice cream. I look forward to seeing his progression on the burlesque scene.
Ophelia Derriere, new to the scene and known for her choreography, did an excellent job at capturing the image of “Coiling Serpent Paperweight." She slithered onstage with a very sensual number. The highlight of her act was “Deilah,” her best ASSet, causing the audience to cheer roaringly! As an older woman that I sat next to clapped wildly while Miss Ophelia shook her rump onstage, I thought, “This audience isn’t as reserved as I surmised.”
Philly Cara Mel made it just in time from the land of Jersey to “point” her way into the hearts of Richmond with a balletesque performance interpreting the “Imperial Rock Crystal Easter Egg.” She twirled and leapt as if she were in a musical box. The audience was impressed by her dancing abilities, as they oo’ed and ah’ed.
The Garter Snaps ended the show with a synchronized representation of “Imperial Pelican Easter Egg,” an elegant, pretty number to end a very classic burlesque show.
In summation, the show was a success, bringing together a varied audience and introducing live performance/burlesque to individuals who were unaware that such things go on here in RVA. I felt the audience enjoyed it and appreciated the efforts of the Friends of Art Coordinator, Julianne Zimmerman. It’s nice to see Richmond being open to another artistic medium. Hopefully this will open the doors for a grander audience in burlesque/live performance. Four-hundred and fifty people at a sold out show to see boobs and eggs…hmmm. I see a trend coming on here.
Words by Lady J
Images by Brian McDaniel