Taking to our friend Miss Betsy Rose is one of London’s most prestigious headline performers and a star on the International Burlesque scene. Betsy Rose has dazzled audiences far and wide, on every continent around the globe, with her mesmerising and classic acts for almost a decade. Completely devoted to the original spirit of Burlesque, this vintage vixen lives and breathes the entire lifestyle.
Not only has she has graced the most glamorous of Burlesque stages, she has also starred in two West End runs of The Hurly Burly Show, appeared in feature films, most recently The Muppets, music videos, film premieres, Television dramas and Television commercials. Alongside some of the worlds most elite corporate clients, which have included Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Cointreau and Paris Fashion week, Miss Betsy Rose has also entertained audience members which have included no less than the British Royal family, Italian Mafia and the Grand Prix elite. Miss Betsy Rose is also an established model and has been featured in French Vogue, GQ Italia, ID, Harpers Bazaar and Italian Playboy to name but a few.
Not just a classic beauty renowned for her authentic vintage style, but a trained professional dancer too, Miss Betsy Rose delivers only the highest standard of performance to her spellbound spectators. 2014 saw her short listed as Best Burlesque in the London Cabaret Awards, and in 2015 Miss Betsy Rose featured in GQ Italia’s Best Burlesque Performers as well as placing in the Top 5 UK Burlesque Performers in the highly regarded industry poll, 21st Century Burlesque.
The interview;
- Please could you tell us about your background and how it leads to the work you do today?
I have been dancing my entire life and following my time as a professional dancer I decided to follow my passion of all things vintage and become a Burlesque artist. Burlesque had forever intrigued me before I entered its captivating world. As a child I was fascinated by the bygone era – old movie stars, beautiful costumes, the romance in movies. My passion for history, coupled with my professional dance background and love of vintage led me straight to burlesque. I have been a burlesque performer for almost a decade now.
1. Where are you base?
I am based in London Town. I cannot imagine another city in the world more suited to a burlesque performer. It encompassed creativity and live theatre and entertainment, brimming with so many wonderful venues and spaces showcasing the Burlesque art form. I am lucky enough to travel
3.How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before?
I am a classic burlesque artist, performing traditional and vintage inspired striptease dance numbers. The emphasis is based on the body and understanding beautiful lines, similar to those in ballet…not the striptease element. Elegantly removing the beautiful costumes is only just the surface level of this performance.
4.Who else it’s behind your brand?
I have built my brand as a performer completely on my own. That is part of the allure for me. Being able to be the performer, choreographer, designer, director, I retain complete creative control this way. Last year I joined forces with two incredible fellow burlesque performers, Missy Fatale and Jolie papillon, to create a brand new show, Gin house burlesque. It has been amazing to work together on creating this 1930’s inspired revue which has been formatted to create more of an experience than a typical cabaret show.
What or who has been the biggest singular influence on your work?
Being a burlesque dancer I am hugely inspired and influenced by stars of the bygone era- Gypsy Rose Lee, Lili St Cyr, CydCharise. They had elegance, style and charisma in abundance. Being a Burlesque performer of classic style, I have studied hours upon hours of old footage of such dancers – I think it is very important to remember where this art form started and to honour these incredible woman who came before us.
6.Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far?
My very first job was just such a joy. I was dancing as a nurse in a Head and Shoulders commercial – hardly the most challenging or exhilarating role, but my bright eyes and bushy tail were practically bursting at their newbie seams at the mere thought of being on set and behind the camera! Since then, many moons on, I have had so many more exciting jobs… more recently I was dancing at a Dolce and Gabbanaevent in Portofino, where I was carried on stage by 20 strapping sailor boys in a gold shell. Casual hey? Amongst my favourites though would be my time in the west end show, The Hurly Burly Show, a Burlesque musical revue. Never have I laughed or had more fun on stage than in that show!
7.Where people can find more about you and your future projects.
Take a look at my website www.missbetsyrose.com and my show www.ginhouseburlesque.com. For the most up to date feed you can find my on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as @missbetsyrose
International Burlesque Artist
Professional Dancer – Model
www.missbetsyrose.com
- GQ Italia – featured “Best Burlesque performers of 2015”
- 21st Century Burlesque Top 50 of 2015 – UK top 5
- London Cabaret awards – Best Burlesque “shortlist” 2014