Burlesque backstage pass
As you walk into the Bovine, you immediately see the stage, dimly lit by stage lights and stringed Christmas lights that stay up year-round. The cocktails are flowing and a go-go dancer is onstage dancing as Jeff Buckley's 'Striptease For Me Baby' blares through the speakers. This is a typical night at the Ghoulesque Revue.
In the burlesque industry there are many job titles, but we often only see the performers. For once, we’re going to break down the backstage door and find out where it really all goes down, none of this could happen without the in-house DJ mixing playlists before the show, preset stage lighting and the lively promoters that greet you at the door. This is behind the scenes of the burlesque industry
If you've ever been to a burlesque show in Toronto, chances are you’ve heard of Adam Tupper and Esther De Ville. They’re the hardworking duo behind the Ghoulesque Revue at the Bovine Sex Club in Toronto.
Starting up their Halloween-themed burlesque show in July gave promoters Tupper and De Ville an advantage to sell their show. They have since managed to keep their spooky event alive with monthly shows at the Bovine and even go as far as to dress up in character for their shows. - Tonight they are Morticia and Gomez Addams of the Addams Family. But, the gig didn't come easy; the duo often works on shows up to six months in advance, but sometimes can take up to a years worth of work. “On a monthly basis, we’re working six weeks to three months in advance,” says Tupper. “We both like to be as ahead in our work as possible. Sometimes, you’re working towards six months, and right now, we’re working on a show that's happening next year,”
Before coming together to work in Toronto, Tupper worked in Ottawa on Nerdy Girl Burlesque. He became one of the key promoters in the industry, which is why De Ville wanted to nab him for the Ghoulesque Revue in Toronto. De Ville had also previously been involved in the industry with her dance troupe, Starlight Burlesque, in Toronto, but says she always wanted to promote shows. “I love performing, but promoting is a special task I have taken on in the city to try and fill niches in the industry,” she says.
Goode is setting up the playlist for the night in a corner of the bar; he works alongside Tupper and De Ville as the revue’s DJ. He says that when selecting new music for a show, he often takes the style of the venue into thought. “The playlist changes depending on the venue,” he says, “The Bovine is more of a rock venue, so we will play more classic rock music tonight. It’s part of my job to always be finding new music. The performers also help me a bunch.” Goode finds some of his best songs when he is just hanging out, listening to music with the performers and getting to know their personalities.
Tupper points out that music alone has the power make or break the show. “Music has so much entertainment value,” he says. De Ville, having experience as a solo promoter with her former dance troupe used to book a live 16-piece jazz band to perform at her shows. "Its a huge undertaking and a lot of fun but also really stressful and expensive," she says.
The specifics of the Ghoulesque revue are carefully planned in advance, the lighting that hits the stage at the bovine creates a dramatic effect for the performers. “In a theatre space, we could add different effects (colours or washes) that we want onstage,” De Ville says. Goode also works as DJ for Buddies and Bad Times Theatre, on Alexander Street and says at the venue you can even set up lighting prompts.
Tupper gets onstage to announce Dottie Dangerfield, the first performance of the night – dressed as an evil clown, maniacal laughter sounds from the playlist and the crowd pours in one-by-one looking terrified. Dangerfield leaps off the stage pointing fingers at crowd members and getting in their face. The crowd is roaring and trembling at the same time. The mp3's don't skip a beat, the lighting shines down illuminating her.
The talented trio sit in the audience and watch what they have so generously put together – although they aren't always in the spotlight, the hard work is still worth the applause each night.
