#70 Stripping Away Shame: Charlie Bouquett on Burlesque as Rebellion

00:00:05: You can't recommend eating like that.

00:00:07: Don't recommend it?

00:00:08: Please don't try this at home!

00:00:10: Yeah, for example human blockhead which is when you hammer a nail through your nose nasal flossing.

00:00:32: Hello and welcome to another episode from Sex in Berlin, the English version.

00:00:39: And today I'm very happy to have Charlie Bouquet here.

00:00:42: she is a wonderful performer dancer.

00:00:45: She's doing a lot of different things.

00:00:47: so Mamie Charlie can you explain what we see?

00:00:51: or in one sentence?

00:00:52: What can we see when we come to show off you?

00:00:56: Wow!

00:00:57: I mean, yeah in one word would be next to impossible.

00:01:02: To summarize the experience of coming to see a show off mine.

00:01:07: but my shows have often been described as kind of like classical beautiful kind of burlesque performances But with a dark and dangerous twist.

00:01:17: so With everything i've done In the performance world there's always A little bit Of spin on it.

00:01:24: It's never quite as conforming or traditional, it may appear.

00:01:29: So yeah I often leave my audiences with quite a few surprises.

00:01:36: So

00:01:36: Charlie you're doing Bolesk.

00:01:38: can you explain or describe for everyone who doesn't know what that means from where comes?

00:01:44: What is Bolesc?

00:01:46: Essentially it is a classical form of striptease, like the art of strip-tease.

00:01:52: So... The Art Of Taking Ones Close Off!

00:01:57: So yeah that essentially is what burlesque is?

00:02:00: It has however throughout the years been.

00:02:02: there's been a lot more development on that and you get lots of different versions of Burlesque.

00:02:07: I would put myself in the category.

00:02:12: So somebody who still... What is

00:02:13: the old form?

00:02:14: It would be a lot more traditional ballet shows.

00:02:18: Would have probably been around when it kind of made its way into the mainstream, Probably in the early nineteen hundreds.

00:02:26: some really famous examples like In Berlin for example there was Anita Berber Who I would put in to the category Of in one way or another Was definitely an erotic dancer Balleski's very erotically charged.

00:02:41: And then obviously in later years, we have people like Dieter von Tis who I think really bought burlesque into the mainstream and what it is today.

00:02:49: That's why... Yeah i think its a very recognised art form nowadays whereas maybe in The Turn of the Century It was A little bit more underground, a little bit More seedy!

00:02:59: You probably had to know the right kind of dark, dingy alleyways to find yourself in a burlesque speakeasy.

00:03:07: Whereas I believe today it's very accessible art form and style-of-show performance which is great for me because that's how i made my career.

00:03:17: so

00:03:18: Charlie!

00:03:18: For people who have never seen you perform on... How would you describe what you do?

00:03:24: Like maybe a postman ask you So here are your letters.

00:03:27: And What Do You Do For Work?

00:03:28: Cool, I think he's in for a shock.

00:03:32: What i do?

00:03:33: it kind of merges something between as mentioned before like the kind of classical burlesque world.

00:03:39: so this very high femme kind of pristine showgirl style aesthetic but then actually a lot of my influences and my skill sets come from a more darker and dangerous place.

00:03:54: So when I actually started performing, I was part of a circus company called Cirque Le soiree And I used to tour around the world with them.

00:04:03: And I started initially just as a showgirl classical show girl or The Big Fevers in the big headdresses and you know like rhinestone everything Just covered in rhinestones but then eventually When touring with circus end up in different roles within that.

00:04:24: So whilst I was touring around the world, i actually picked up a lot of skills from my colleagues...my circus colleagues.

00:04:33: and so i learned how to fire eat..i learnt how to walk on glass hammer nails through my nose like really just a bit of everything!

00:04:41: And i'm kind of person who will always try something once which has maybe got me into trouble a few times in my life, but I was just kind of like yeah sure.

00:04:51: I'll give that a go and A few of them did stick.

00:04:55: so i'm still very much...I Still work with fire along my performances And I kind of merged it with my belesque.

00:05:01: So i'm very well known for my flaming tassels!

00:05:05: So yeah twirling fire whilst on stage Um..and also the bed-of glass is something that I believe was maybe one of the first people to do.

00:05:17: So instead of just like walking on glass, actually created a show where had whole kind of sleazy motel set up.

00:05:25: and then in the center of stage there's a bed.

00:05:28: And when scene is me undressing coming from an event smoking cigarette getting out my clothes When i get naked and about to go into bed I reveal That Actually Instead Of A mattress The entire bed made a broken glass and then I kind of get on to the bed, do some rolling around in dancing.

00:05:50: Wow Charlie!

00:05:51: So i just came back from a festival...I've been at The Buch der Träume so I slept pretty bad in the tent.

00:05:58: there weren't any glasses.

00:06:01: but how is it to sleep on a bed or to perform?

00:06:12: Of course, trained.

00:06:13: It is something that I trained for and with for a long time And to the point where i even exactly know The glass like...I know Exactly what points of the glass will be softer For me To lay on for example in order for Me to stay there for a Long Time.

00:06:30: However There are accidents sometimes and they're yeah Sometimes i am cutting myself but In a way, I actually quite like the audience to see that because it really is like no this is real and what we do is dangerous.

00:06:46: And it's daring!

00:06:47: It is provocative... Yeah there something about exposing that wound to the audience.

00:06:54: live in real time you know?

00:06:56: This happening infront of your witnessing this moment.

00:07:02: sometimes accidents happen.

00:07:04: This is maybe the part of dark things you're doing.

00:07:08: But Charlie, let's start with a beginning!

00:07:12: I think when someone asks what do we want to do later?

00:07:17: You tell them that they would like to be famous Bollachs dancer and put an A through my nose.

00:07:24: What were your dreams or desires as young people?

00:07:29: How did this special career begin for

00:07:32: you?

00:07:32: I mean, I was actually incredibly shy.

00:07:34: Where

00:07:34: you born?

00:07:34: Like where are we in the beginning...

00:07:36: Oh okay so from really starting very, very beginning!

00:07:40: I was born in London.

00:07:41: So yeah i was born at North London

00:07:43: Creative and a little dark.

00:07:45: Yes yes pretty much Camden as well.

00:07:48: it explains alot.

00:07:51: So yea I grew up in north london And yeh..I was a very shy child Actually Very to myself Very extremely creative.

00:07:59: I was always very creative.

00:08:01: What were your forms of creativity, like drawing or dancing?

00:08:06: Mostly artistic in the sense that I was really into art class.

00:08:14: The class I was best at is drawing and painting And from a very young age i

00:08:19: loved

00:08:20: costumes and designing costumes and drawing designs for costumes.

00:08:25: That's something always with me had this great idea, I'm sure they would agree.

00:08:34: At one point though to kind of get me out my shell... They were like well we should put her in a theatre class or something so she can just come up with her shell and i definitely came off my shelf under the lights!

00:08:51: Yeah there is something about that.

00:08:54: really what performance it's all about once you are on stage.

00:08:59: kind of in one way you were like completely exposed to the world, then another way.

00:09:07: You can be completely who you want to be.

00:09:10: so it's very interesting space... So

00:09:13: you started a theatre class?

00:09:15: Yeah!

00:09:16: Which

00:09:16: age?

00:09:17: Like

00:09:17: probably about ten yeah and I did a bit of everything.

00:09:21: i'm like all singing or dancing acting really just all of it.

00:09:28: And then a little later in life.

00:09:29: I went to art school, I went central St Martin's which is well known for other students like Alexander McQueen and went to st martins quite few years before me.

00:09:41: but there was very prestigious arts school at the centre of Soho in London Which really where everything started come together with me.

00:09:51: so Before that i had been going to like theatre classes, not kind of more as a hobby.

00:09:59: It was something to do at the weekend and then yeah once I was at uni uh...I started to get into this kind of cabaret crowd in Soho.

00:10:08: back then there boom for a burlesque in cabaret and there was huge scene for it, you could go pretty much any other club.

00:10:18: There would be like the burlesques show or striptease shows... It really is just about time I think!

00:10:26: And i had no prior experience with burlesquers or strip tees.. I did know that can't be on stage but naturally quite good at being on stage but nothing more than that.

00:10:41: I would say it wasn't even in my mind to make that into a career, It was just kind of the thing i did every now and then... And one time after a lecture with mine or actually i probably skipped the lecture either!

00:10:56: I got invited to a very famous nightclub in Soho back then, which unfortunately no longer exists.

00:11:03: It was called Madame Jojo's and it was like the place to be.

00:11:08: so I bunked off uni to be there.

00:11:10: i remember like...I would take all of my clothes to uni So I could get ready in toilets And then sneak out to this nightclub.

00:11:20: The great thing about it too is because where I was living at that time wasn't necessarily close to Soho.

00:11:25: I'd actually crawlback after the club and just like basically sleep in a fur coat with my big fake eyelashes still on the makeup.

00:11:35: But yeah, it was there that basically my entire career started because I actually...I just got talking to some of the people in the show afterwards And they were like, are you a burlesque dancer?

00:11:46: Like what's these clothes this outfit?

00:11:49: What is all

00:11:50: about?".

00:11:51: No!

00:11:52: This is how i dress had a real kind of fetish for tight lacing so teeny tiny corsets and that was just my style, it really wasn't anything more than that.

00:12:04: And then one of the castes like you should try this burlesque thing!

00:12:10: Pretty much there in them... The next week I was on stage at the same club.

00:12:18: That's kind where my career started Where i was born

00:12:24: So when you did your first realization that your body could be a form of expression, what are the elements?

00:12:32: You're working with like performing dancing costume.

00:12:36: You mentioned already so What is the main element you're working?

00:12:41: When I started again and mention it was really into costuming.

00:12:45: That's my thing.

00:12:47: It still as today actually My favorite part of creating production designing the costume and the mood, how it's going to feel.

00:12:57: And drawing inspiration from many designers and iconic people in this scene before me like that is definitely where I thrive!

00:13:09: Also i had experience as a dancer or child but again nothing... there was point when doing ballet at weekends And then I think i got to a point when I just felt like, it was too punk for ballet.

00:13:26: It's all of these rules and this discipline.

00:13:31: Yeah the smiling god is really didn't sit right with me...and in a way I think ballestances kind are like punk ballerinas.

00:13:41: We're the ones who rebelled.

00:13:44: So yeah definitely from my costume is what I do The core being a ballet dancer.

00:13:52: Well actually I would say, so i normally refer to myself as a ballesque artist just because obviously I can dance...I have a lot of musicality but artists kind of sits a little bit better with me because I think it's not just about the so much more that goes into it.

00:14:12: So yeah,

00:14:13: like a story.

00:14:14: and how do you really reveal light?

00:14:17: And you mentioned also some props like the bed or things to work with on stage.

00:14:23: but one part of Bolasco is also getting close off Is It Right?

00:14:27: Yes!

00:14:28: Absolutely.

00:14:30: How was that feeling?

00:14:31: The first time putting one piece after another You were undressing...how did it feel?

00:14:38: The First Time Great!

00:14:42: I thought the English are not so open with

00:14:45: nudity.

00:14:45: Oh yes, very, very prude.

00:14:48: Incredibly prude.

00:14:49: Have you

00:14:49: seen your family naked often or friends?

00:14:51: No

00:14:52: absolutely no.

00:14:53: it's like... It is funny because when my friend come to Berlin and take them to the saunas they're like what do mean we have to be naked.

00:15:04: but i think probably around that time quite early on that I was a little bit of an exhibitionist, so i definitely had no problem with taking my clothes off.

00:15:17: What I really actually enjoy about that in burlesque is kind-of it's really on your own terms like

00:15:23: how much.

00:15:23: yeah

00:15:24: sometimes you know there's nobody making me take all of my clothes or if its very much personal choice It something really enjoyable to play with.

00:15:34: hence why it's called striptease.

00:15:37: And sometimes I actually find those moments more enjoyable.

00:15:42: The finale, the reveal itself is playing with these different elements of tease maybe like slowly peeling a glove off and biting it off my teeth or something i'm known for on stage as kind of...the shoe dangle which definitely appeals to many fetishes and foot fetishists because when half take the shoe off and then kind of play with the idea, or maybe it coming off completely but not.

00:16:10: Yes!

00:16:10: And from ballet I have very high arches in my feet so... I definitely like to accentuate those points of my body that i know are special.

00:16:22: Yeah

00:16:24: so but how were the reactions?

00:16:25: Are your family or friends okay from the beginning, How was your surrounding responding on you're new way of working?

00:16:35: Family absolutely not!

00:16:45: taxi driver and owned a taxi garage.

00:16:50: So yeah, like a taxi mechanic my mom was working in education so they were a little bit confused to say the least.

00:17:03: I mean i don't think that even heard of the word balesk or cabaret ever before as any parent naturally would have a lot of questions, the first one being like how could you make that a sustainable job?

00:17:19: A real job.

00:17:20: and actually it's been my career.

00:17:25: My entire adult life.

00:17:26: so I started performing when i was sixteen which also did mean, so when I started performing in Madame Jojo's it meant that was actually underage.

00:17:37: So i used to have to sneak into the club before the bouncers would arrive because they didn't have a form of ID at this point and they'd always tell me backstage just tell them you're twenty one!

00:17:51: Luckily we were never questioned.

00:17:53: but yeah... it's been my career, my entire adult life and I've never...

00:18:00: And you can live on.

00:18:01: Absolutely

00:18:02: yeah with Covid that obviously changed everything a little bit when you take away the the live experience of performance.

00:18:12: but that's kind of when i started to move more into production.

00:18:17: Even during Covid I was still creating, making costumes and really keeping that creative flame very much alive in that time.

00:18:28: And yeah, luckily there has been a bounce back now and it's nice to be able to do both.

00:18:33: To perform and produce.

00:18:35: so yeah Charlie

00:18:36: Bookie please take me a little back in time.

00:18:39: So you were performing on very early as of young age then also tried circus.

00:18:48: How did this happen?

00:18:49: After a year or two of just being in the kind of cabaret scene, I joined a traveling circus company Cirque Le Soir.

00:19:01: And they were specialising actually like late night circus.

00:19:07: Let's put it that way... It is not the sort of circus you are going to take.

00:19:10: your children too!

00:19:12: Is what i would say about... No

00:19:15: animals but naked skin.

00:19:17: Yes,

00:19:18: definitely no animals.

00:19:19: Lots of naked ladies but yeah it was definitely more catered to the adult industry like a late night circus would be a good way of describing that and I had an amazing few years with this company in particular... And

00:19:38: you were travelling?

00:19:39: Everywhere!

00:19:40: I think i sat down recently and did the, like figured it all out.

00:19:45: And I think It was something like forty five countries or really they took us everywhere?

00:19:51: How is with a late night circus to be in different countries Like what have you experienced?

00:19:56: What were those strangers?

00:19:57: are interesting things You experience there Or nice story?

00:20:01: Well There's lots of Things To Consider.

00:20:04: When touring With Circus In This Way Especially Because Of The Nature Of Our Shows Was A Little Bit more risque, obviously involved nudity and then we would get hired.

00:20:17: I did a few runs residencies in countries where maybe it was quite still very much taboo to... Well so i did run into Dubai actually!

00:20:28: And what was really interesting about that was..I kind of just had to completely relearn everything I'd learned because there's absolutely no striptease.

00:20:39: Yeah, nudity was completely forbidden.

00:20:43: they were so strict that even the performers... The female performers couldn't have their shoulders on show.

00:20:51: So we would actually have to wear these kind of skin coloured long sleeves which again is like everything I've trained to do.

00:20:59: i really need Actually my flesh My skin to work with body burning, for example were like working with fire.

00:21:07: You're doing it on your arms and legs And once you take that away are really limited With what can do.

00:21:14: See I definitely had to adapt a lot about my performances when i was there To kind of be accepted.

00:21:24: What were the strangest things which could happen during shows?

00:21:28: Do have nice story or anything?

00:21:30: but you will remember from your circus times.

00:21:32: There's so many I think i'm probably going to have to write a book at some point, but one that would stay with me.

00:21:39: But definitely...I am not sure if it's the happiest memory, physically stayed with me and still scarred from it!

00:21:47: Actually on stage once this was in Dubai And there were my feather fans doing like a burlesque performance without the striptease so mostly a fan dance The owner of the club was the kind of person who is like more, so he went backstage to the management on our team and I want more people on stage.

00:22:14: It looks too empty.

00:22:15: there's just one girl.

00:22:16: i need more!

00:22:17: So without me knowing about five people joined me onstage but in my own world at that point it wasn't a bit of trance.

00:22:26: all I could see lights behind me, so i kind of understand that there are people behind.

00:22:33: and quite a popular thing in the show was for some artists to use angle grinders.

00:22:39: I'm not sure if you've probably seen this at festivals or something where performers have metal plates on their angle grinding.

00:22:46: it's like the sparks flying!

00:22:48: It is very high drama kind of danger show but...I had no idea.

00:22:54: they decided these angle grinders behind me.

00:22:57: So people with this huge angle grinder, again there's no magic to that.

00:23:04: it very much is just the same kind of tool you would use for construction and I remember really clearly kind of swooping my arms back to put my feathers behind my back, make it look like I had a peacock plume.

00:23:23: And just felt... It felt a burn!

00:23:26: Didn't think much about and continued then when i lifted the fans up these are pristine white feather fans.

00:23:36: they were covered in red and i was like oh this doesn't look good.

00:23:43: When came off stage At that point I was very much near the end of performance.

00:23:48: When it came off stage, one angle grinder said actually caught my arm and gone basically sliced through it!

00:23:59: It's extremely lucky to have just missed my bone in my wrist but... Yeah, it was definitely a night to remember.

00:24:15: And it's quite interesting because when you are on stage... It can be such an out-of-body experience that something as painful and destructive is that?

00:24:27: You don't even realise this happened!

00:24:31: Judging from everyone's response I felt bad but I kind of was so detached by the experience that it took me a few minutes to kind of be like, oh!

00:24:41: That's what happened.

00:24:43: I didn't keep the feather- I really wish i kept the feather fans as a kind of...

00:24:47: Totem.

00:24:49: Totem?

00:24:50: A morbid memory ,I guess but yeah..that was definitely a memorable experience for sure .

00:24:56: I have many happier memories from stage But for some reason that is one that jumped out.

00:25:03: so

00:25:04: And how was it with your nose?

00:25:06: What have you done with the nail in your nose.

00:25:09: Yeah, so that is a classic sideshow trick.

00:25:12: yeah complete classic.

00:25:15: yes.

00:25:15: So uh That Is what we call The Human Blockhead and It's something that used to be quite common In freak shows when many Many years ago there were traveling freak shows which nowadays has been adapted into Into a cabaret situation.

00:25:31: so You still Have things for example human block head which is when you hammer a nail through your nose, nasal flossing.

00:25:39: Yeah the wonderful nose.

00:25:40: how did you do it?

00:25:43: Practice yes actually.

00:25:45: so when you're practicing for this its quite common to use a teaspoon because I generally retired from stage using the nail and nose.

00:26:01: just as time goes on, these things take their toll.

00:26:09: What

00:26:09: else is there?

00:26:10: Like burning your skin or like what are you not doing anymore?

00:26:14: Definitely The Nail in the nose is something that i have pretty much retired.

00:26:21: I was mentioning nasal flossing, which is when you put something through your nose and pull it out of your mouth.

00:26:27: I've seen it in yoga once like a yogi did

00:26:30: to

00:26:30: clean.

00:26:31: Oh wow!

00:26:32: It's

00:26:32: a cleaning practice for very experienced yogis.

00:26:35: Interesting

00:26:36: because if you put on small towel or some things would you clean but its hard

00:26:44: It's just tricky.

00:26:46: Yeah, so a lot of people can't actually do it because the gag reflex.

00:26:49: So you have to be able get to the back of your throat and pull something out And even just the thought of that for some people is enough.

00:26:57: But yeah Just practice.

00:26:59: I feel like i learned all this stuff quite young when I was maybe more curious To just do these mad different things Now A little bit later in life In my thirties.

00:27:11: I kind know what's good For me body But I am still very much working with fire.

00:27:18: It's one of my main, main skills that use it in my shows.

00:27:23: and yeah things like wax play i still really enjoy.

00:27:27: but... Yeah!

00:27:27: I tend to steer away from things that don't necessarily enjoy doing.

00:27:35: Do more of the things that I genuinely enjoy doing on stage.

00:27:38: Yeah, and i think it's a much nicer experience for me And For The Audience to see That I am enjoying what Im Doing Instead Of Just Kind Of Doing Something For Them And Not For Myself.

00:27:49: So... Charlie

00:27:50: To Start This Kind Of Career Pretty Young And Travel Around The World And Also Work With Nudity In A Way.

00:27:58: so How Did It Effect Your Relationships?

00:28:01: Did you have like long relationships or different, or was it hard?

00:28:04: Or pretty easy.

00:28:06: Were in love with someone from the circus... How does that work?

00:28:09: I think for me i'm kind of a person and its same as my family And romantic partners.

00:28:15: It's..I am very sure about who I want to do In way perhaps stubborn And don't really let other people opinions of me dictate what I do with my life.

00:28:30: i've always been, yeah very confident in myself and if I really believe it's something that I want to do and I want pursue it...I will!

00:28:39: And If people aren't prepared to get on the ride with me then Yeah..it probably won't work out.

00:28:47: but throughout most of my twenties I was in a long-term relationship artist, somebody who not a circus performer but they were a... They were a performer in a way.

00:29:02: So I think we really understood each other.

00:29:05: it's not only just the kind of stage persona that people have to get used to.

00:29:09: It is more about lifestyle itself too.

00:29:11: there are lots travelling and lots last minute gigs come up.

00:29:17: how schedules are generally quite hectic and non-linear.

00:29:23: Yeah, absolutely not from nine to five!

00:29:26: So yeah it is really important for me to have a partner who understands that... And so far so good.

00:29:35: I think i've been very lucky um and I've always had very supportive partners Who yes have always supported and loved what I do and have always been my number one fan.

00:29:47: So yeah, I'm very lucky in that way.

00:29:49: Charlie

00:29:49: please describe me this trance with your experience on stage like how does it really feel to perform and what is the nice thing when you're in a good flow?

00:29:59: When are doing it?

00:30:00: for

00:30:01: me It's just being transformed into another world Onstage.

00:30:06: there Is The experience of it is surreal.

00:30:09: In first place i mean i've performed in every kind Of scenario.

00:30:12: i've done shows For an audience of five people at a dinner party, and then I've done main stage shows in Japan to like ten thousand people or something.

00:30:26: so it's really like a spectrum there.

00:30:28: but the experience of kind of detaching is always present.

00:30:35: Or just really becoming leaving behind the person who i am before nervous or shy, are feeling a little bit insecure that day about body parts which is common.

00:30:49: I think people kind of see what i do on stage and maybe think like wow where does that confidence come from?

00:30:54: And it's not always... It's not Always Like That!

00:30:58: I still have days when I look in the mirror and don't like things.. I look bloated ..I have.. I don't

00:31:04: know..

00:31:07: I am still human.

00:31:09: but The minute you get to this stage You just kind of leave that human behind.

00:31:15: It's like you're taking your human suit off and you leave it at the side of the stage, And then yeah...you become the character whatever that character is.

00:31:24: And Charlie?

00:31:25: Is there a source which can connect to find your creativity especially onstage?

00:31:30: Like if something when say its more than learning a text or speak up-and down Explain maybe or

00:31:43: yeah, I mean for sure.

00:31:45: So

00:31:46: and you bring so many things together like your costumes Your idea what you're like?

00:31:51: You telling a story when you perform And you do something with your body's.

00:31:55: oh how does it all go together in a nice way.

00:31:59: What brings that to gather

00:32:00: the beauty of?

00:32:01: is that It just kind of I let my shows kind of write themselves.

00:32:06: anyway.

00:32:06: there are some performers, some cabaret artists who quite meticulously have routine to their shows and they to kind of freestyle a lot my performances.

00:32:22: Like, Of course I have the music and concepts The costumes but i feel like personally enough musicality within me To be able just go with flow.

00:32:34: And that's also what keeps it really enjoyable because I've been in this career for quite long time now I think maybe thirteen to fourteen years, so it keeps interesting too.

00:32:46: To not have this routine or the structure to a... It's like a creative free space.

00:32:53: and is that kind of sparkle?

00:32:55: Or something which comes in take you through show Is there is their kind Of force Which moves You There.

00:33:03: How would you describe

00:33:04: it?

00:33:04: i think That's A really good way of Describing Actually Like A Force And Energy Those Kind born on stage, for sure.

00:33:12: And it actually does stay with you afterwards too.

00:33:15: I find that really hard to switch off after a show or go to sleep once you've kind of got the high in performing.

00:33:26: we call this a glitter crash.

00:33:30: It's normally next day when your performance comes down from that feeling of being on stage

00:33:40: in the supermarket.

00:33:43: And then you remember that your human and you have to pay bills, feed your pets...

00:33:49: Clean your house or something?

00:33:51: So you traveled around a lot.

00:33:53: You did different kind of shows.

00:33:55: Your experience different kinds of ways of performing From all countries you've travelled are now in Berlin.

00:34:03: Why Berlin?

00:34:04: Berlin is somewhere where I was always fascinated way before I'd even visited Berlin.

00:34:10: Of course, from a young age i had heard of the movie Cabaret and I kind have seen Berlin and heard about Berlin's this underground kind of magical world where you can be whatever you want to be in!

00:34:24: And...I did come here a few times In my twenties with friends pretty much would fly-in on a Friday not sleep and fly back on a Tuesday kind of trips to Berlin.

00:34:37: And yeah, I mean it really is like nowhere in the world especially when i was coming for these short bursts of time.

00:34:43: It's just the freedom you experience here is.

00:34:47: And are going out then or?

00:34:49: Yes, very

00:34:50: much so!

00:34:51: This was quite a while ago like when I first came in and I was performing in Berlin.

00:34:56: So i would tend to come do show and bring some friends with me which

00:35:01: are nice venues in Berlin.

00:35:02: what could your recommend?

00:35:03: it depends on what really you're going for but from earlier trips spending alot of time at Renata actually when the house of lunacy used work on another project, House of Red Doors I think it was called.

00:35:18: Of course we did all the kind of Kit Kat...I used to perform insomnia when i first came to Berlin in my very early twenties.

00:35:27: but its quite interesting.

00:35:28: now living here It's..i've found like a whole new scene and you know just visiting for few days You help these places that your heard off from something like Kit Kat For example.

00:35:40: But Now Im really getting into see different side of Berlin now that I'm living here.

00:35:45: Which is like you're going to lakes or...

00:35:48: Yes, actually so it's quite interesting!

00:35:50: Cycling?

00:35:51: Yeah since moving to Berlin my lifestyle has completely changed in that way Like i've become a morning person and its really weird And thats not from staying up all night.

00:36:06: Yeah, my whole lifestyle has really changed since moving here for the better I would say because that's one thing when you are a performer too.

00:36:14: You're fairly nocturnal and you just kind of get used to this nocturnal life style And staying out at lot of socializing A lot of drinking a lot of partying.

00:36:24: it almost comes with The package Of the job but interestingly enough Since i've relocated Here It can really separate work my career from what I do in my personal time.

00:36:40: Now you go to sauna?

00:36:41: Yes, there's a lot of saunas and lakes... Something that i've never done before but I love working out now different classes like reforma pilates and stuff like that.

00:37:00: The one thing is why TTP Thank you for my pleasure.

00:37:07: And yeah, Berlin has been an amazing place to really just explore so many new things because I think as well like moving here As an expat and i do obviously have friends already in the city.

00:37:20: but You are fairly kind of Anonymous In a way and it's kind Of Like you Have this Really unique opportunity To Kind of Really Just Yeah dip in and kind of like reinvent yourself or what people might know if you are.

00:37:34: People may think

00:37:35: it's nice, but its also sometimes a problem with all the tours coming for one night and then doing something in the clubs And they don't know other people.

00:37:45: I totally enjoy everyone who is coming.

00:37:48: Jolly What was most dangerous thing that you ever did on stage?

00:37:54: There were already twenty things.

00:37:56: so i'm like whats the most dangerous out there?

00:37:58: eating light bulb

00:38:00: Eating

00:38:01: really?

00:38:02: Yes, I did it once and i will never do again.

00:38:06: You

00:38:06: can't recommend eating

00:38:08: like that.

00:38:08: Please don't try

00:38:09: this at home!

00:38:12: There's a skill to it...a hundred percent.

00:38:14: It was something that I was eager to try And I did..and That Was Enough.

00:38:23: You told me in the beginning that now your shows like you develop it all, from years from show to show and there's something dark.

00:38:34: There is a pinch of dark things when you perform.

00:38:38: can you describe them for us?

00:38:40: I actually think the darkness has always been there probably as a result of who i am and my personality.

00:38:46: And, As I was mentioning earlier like I was doing ballet but it kind of felt Like I was too punk for that Too edgy to- A little bit too grimy not polished Prim and proper...like It..I'd always had a bit of a darker edge To me and what I was Doing That darkness kind of stems my interest in fetish, I guess and fetishes.

00:39:11: And by the way when i'm saying darkness... ...I am not talking about something that's necessarily a negative?

00:39:17: It is what sets especially my burlesque performances apart from maybe more traditional or classical burlesques performance as it does have a bit of roughness around its little bit unpolished finalized product, it has unexpected twists and yeah things that are probably deemed dangerous.

00:39:43: And such as eating a lime or twirling fire on your breasts.

00:39:52: Do you have any role models?

00:39:53: Or do you feel like you've lived before something?

00:39:57: is there something what's creative?

00:40:02: well for you?

00:40:03: I do have a feeling of.

00:40:05: maybe this is my first time.

00:40:09: Like things come very naturally to me, artistically...I actually don't tend to draw a lot of inspiration from people around me in a way like at people living.

00:40:23: i would say a lot.

00:40:24: My inspiration comes form performers off the past.

00:40:28: yeah great example.

00:40:30: and also a lot of fashion designers, but inspiration can kind it can just hit you sometimes.

00:40:36: It really...it can just stem from nothing and everything.

00:40:40: in a way like for me I'm very visual.

00:40:45: when I look at the world quite differently And i could even be a flea marketer and an item catches my eye Just seeing that one thing build an entire scene around that one object and I'm like, ''I can use that to do this in a

00:41:02: show.''.

00:41:02: And then this will be this.

00:41:04: It just kind of builds from there.

00:41:06: really.

00:41:07: yeah i think it's having quite unique perspective on the world.

00:41:11: things around me is my main source of inspiration.

00:41:15: In a way im not particularly drawing it form any one place or anyone person.

00:41:22: What has Bolesk or your work done with sex?

00:41:25: Is there a connection, or is it the little part?

00:41:29: Or big one.

00:41:30: So what about sex positivity?

00:41:33: how much in Bolesk show?

00:41:35: when you do it?

00:41:36: I mean i think burlesque itself is sex positivity embodied The entire idea of taking ones clothes off In front an audience.

00:41:49: It's quite radical thing to do especially as woman growing up.

00:41:55: we are constantly told, We're too much not enough.

00:42:00: Too big to small.

00:42:03: this is wrong.

00:42:04: you shouldn't age like.

00:42:06: there's just so many things that have been designed to suppress us and constantly feel crap about ourselves.

00:42:14: for me Borlesk as the rebellion That's The Rebellious Act against all of those things we've been conditioned to believe about us and our bodies.

00:42:25: And Bolesk is really my way of saying like, no I'm reclaiming My body it's perfect the way It Is with for all Of its imperfections.

00:42:37: i'm going To go on stage and i'm gonna show it and i am Going to be proud!

00:42:40: And i find that a lot With women because you know bolesk as A spectrum.

00:42:46: people of all shapes and sizes are drawn to Bolesk because that body positivity.

00:42:53: And yeah, I think it can be an incredibly liberating and sexually liberating experience Because you're really... Yeah!

00:43:03: You're celebrating your body.

00:43:05: What's sexier than somebody who is confident in themselves

00:43:10: Charlie?

00:43:11: Is there a power of sex?

00:43:14: learn or take from your shows, maybe to take it with us when we go home.

00:43:19: Letting go of judgment and shame is so important for a happy and fulfilling sex life.

00:43:28: I mean It's... When you're a performer You go on stage And you kind-of know Not everybody's gonna love you!

00:43:35: And you really have To let go Of that idea.

00:43:39: Some people might absolutely worship and adore you might not like the way you move or look.

00:43:46: You're never going to be for everyone and I think it's really important to remember that, just let go of it!

00:43:53: And many people would have a much more fulfilling experience if they were able.

00:44:08: Different things you don't like about yourself, if just let go of the kind of fear or being judged by other people.

00:44:16: I think many would have a much more fulfilling experience in their sexual lives.

00:44:25: If they could be themselves.

00:44:27: Charlie Booker, thank you so much for this wonderful half-an-hour hour with you.

00:44:32: It was very nice!

00:44:34: All your upcoming shows and websites we will put in the show notes and link.

00:44:39: Thank you very much for coming.

00:44:41: Do you have a show this week or soon?

00:44:43: This week I'm working mostly behind the scenes right now on my production of My Sublime Society Productions.

00:44:51: Yeah So here's our next show in London Coming up then follow Boilett, but by Berlin and then Switzerland.

00:44:57: So it's a pretty full-on time for the kind of creative behind the scenes.

00:45:03: so yeah I'm really just focusing on that right now.

00:45:06: Thank you very

00:45:08: much!