Afternoon Tease _{by Madelaine Empson}

Edible delicacies with a generous helping of delicious burlesque? C’est bon(bon)!

Hot off the heels of a sold-out Afternoon Tease at the inaugural BurlesKiwi International Festival of Aotearoa, producers The Pinot Sisters – Constance Craving and Mz Debbie Twinkle – are bringing an afternoon tea with a twist to The Fringe Bar on Saturday the 8^th of November at 2pm. A classic high tea with small sammies, cakes, iced biscuits, and sweets will be served on tiered teacake stands while burlesque performances shimmer all round.

“The show includes so many different styles of burlesque, including a bump and grind performance, a classic boa act, a Dolly Parton tribute sing and fling, a fun fan routine, drag-lesque, a 1950s ode to film noir, and more all hosted by Constance Craving, the most awarded burlesque MC in Aotearoa”, Mz Twinkle delights.

The stellar lineup spans Pōneke performers Breathless LaBelle, Weeds & Bellini, Anglebert Humpermink, and Lady Sane; Tara King from Heretaunga, Hastings; and Papillon deVille, Amahlea, and Hollie Berry [pictured] of Papaioea, Palmerston North.

Hollie Berry’s burlesque name is a wink to glamour and sparkle that was born from her first role with Boom Boom Room Burlesque as the Christmas-themed performer.

“Even though my acts now explore all kinds of styles and moods, the name stuck. It reminds me of my beginnings and carries that festive, cheeky spirit into everything I do.”

Sold on burlesque for “the storytelling of the artform”, Hollie says it challenges her to be a better performer and pushes her out of her comfort zone.

“Even after years of performing, I feel I am constantly learning and evolving and the strength and empowerment I have found on stage I believe has pulled through to how I present and carry through in day-to-day encounters in the real world.”

She loved being a part of the Burleskiwi International Festival and meeting some fabulous performers from all across the motu.

“I am looking forward to reconnecting with those people and meeting others. Also having the chance to learn and be inspired by these fellow performers and their fabulous acts.”