The Chantilly Belles

Back in the late 2000's burlesque was THE buzz word that was taking over the world. It was a time when every bar, pub and community hall was hosting its own burlesque night and you couldn't move for new acts called, 'Von' this, or 'Kitty' that. Even Ann Summers cashed in and nipple tassels suddenly became a top seller. It was amidst this chaos of glitter and false eyelashes that a little burlesque duo began to carve a niche for itself.

A pair of opposites, one short and blonde, one tall and dark, both with a drive to make their act something different and not take themselves too seriously, The Chantilly Belles comprised of two idiots with a creative flair for the absurd. Namely, myself and my friend Rene.

We were both artists and had become friends while at Uni doing an MA together some years before. I'd never imagined that down the line we would end up spanking each other on stage in front of 500 people.

It was out of the blue one evening when Rene rang me to ask if I fancied teaming up to do some sort of performance art. She'd just been to a private view and seen a woman singing as part of the exhibition. She thought 'I could do that', and then immediately wondered who would be daft enough to join her for moral support.

I'm no singer so that avenue was out of the equation, but I do love to dress up and prance about, so how about something like that? It just so happened Rene had attended a burlesque class for beginners and the idea of a burlesque duo was formed. Neither of us had an urge to take our clothes off in front of an audience so we knew our USP had to come from our physical differences and our artistic talents. We soon realised we had an uncanny skill for morphing into a cartoonish version of ourselves once we started trying ideas out, think Morcambe and Wise or Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

Rene was always willing to try out ideas and amazing at coming up with details that made things gel perfectly. She was completely out of her comfort zone but determined to give it her all. We would take it in turns to perform our parts in front of the other to see how the act was coming along and give each other pointers and praise. Rene was more of a natural than she ever gave herself credit for.

The Chantilly Belles brand of comedy and dance told stories inspired by music, costumes and silly props, and in perfecting it, we'd spend hours rehearsing routines in Rene's living room. Every Saturday morning I would walk up to her house and for the next few hours I'd be gasping for air as we made each other laugh till we cried. I'd literally collapse on the floor convulsed while she sat chuckling with mascara running down her face.

 Our debut performance 2007

As the Chantilly Belles we performed across the UK at various events and burlesque nights. We debuted at Dukes 52 in Manchester as part of a variety fundraiser compared by the policeman with the funny accent from 'Allo Allo' and went on from there to take part in local nights with other newbies. In time we took part in talent shows, charity gigs, art events and headlined at the Oxford O2 Academy.

When you think of burlesque it conjures up images of sexy ladies with long gloves and high heels, suggestively removing satin robes and silk stockings so that soft gossamer feathers are the only things to stand between their naked forms and the eyes of the audience, it's effortless and tantalising and oh so glamorous. Well yes, it is all of these things, but it's also getting lost trying to find the venue, sharing a broom cupboard with six other girls all attempting to apply tit tape and not ladder their nylons, and the last minute calamity just before you're about to go on stage. As The Chantilly Belles, we had a lot of those!

I remember painting Rene's nails bright red while she bombed it one handed down the M40 because she hadn't had time to paint them before we left. I also remember stopping off at a service station in the middle of the night after one performance still dressed in our goat and goat herder costumes and the cashier not batting an eyelid.

Before one memorable performance (the big one in Oxford) we were getting ready for our Fox and Hunter routine when Rene's recurring Spondylitis flared up. Out of the blue her knee swelled to three times it's normal size and her riding boot wouldn't fit over her calf. As we got the 2 minute call to show time I was on the floor wrestling with the boot while Rene tussled with her leg. 'Push, Push!' I yelled as sweat dripped down both our foreheads and Rene grunted. It was like a scene from a delivery room. I felt my heart galloping and anxiety racing through every ounce of my being. Yet, somehow, finally, said boot moved into place and like the professionals we were we stumbled to the side of the stage before pulling off the act without a single hitch to the biggest audience we had ever had.

The Chantilly Belles achieved so much in the short time we were performing. We made the grade to take part in the Big Burlesque Bout which featured international contenders all battling to be crowned the number one burlesque act of 2008

We were filmed and interviewed as part of a massive summer exhibition 'Express Yourself' at The Lowry celebrating dance, which gave us a chance to show burlesque could be about story telling and fun for everyone.

 Rene's interview with BBC Radio Manchester for Express Yourself

We performed as part of Comedy 4 Christie's at The Lowry helping to raise thousands for a brilliant cause, were commissioned by The Whitworth Art Gallery to create an act to showcase their new wallpaper collection, and took part in countless Dr Sketchy's around the UK which blended our love of art and creativity with burlesque performance.

Over the years we met some fabulous people too, our good friends Scarlet Fever and her husband Tony who had their own burlesque story from appearing on Channel 4's Faking It, and many talented performers such as Immodesty Blaize, Beatrix Von Bourbon and Kitten on the Keys. I have fond memories of meeting and performing alongside some lovely people and I wonder where they are now (Anna Fur Laxis, you were a total doll, great to reconnect on instagram!)

We performed in venues where we had to get changed in the disabled toilets, the kitchen, the pub's upstairs room, the cupboard under the stairs, right through to a real dressing room with our name on the door!

Rene was such fun to work with and together we had a great chemistry that translated perfectly to the stage. Above all my memories of The Chantilly Belles, my outstanding one is my mate Reens who drove me mad at times (the woman had the craziest life) but gave me such joy and the chance to explore my creativity in a way I would never have done without her. It's led to new friends and ventures for me and even though I go to them alone her memory is always with me.

I'm so happy we had this chapter together Rene. Thank you girlfriend x

Rene Lumley 1972 - 2019

For more on The Chantilly Belles, type 'The Chantilly Belles' in the search box above

What does a life model think about?

Hi everyone!

This is me last Saturday modelling at Bury Art Gallery for a drawing class. 

As a former burlesque performer I still have a great collection of costumes and accessories, in fact they even have their own wardrobe! This is my Bavarian Goat Herder look. You can see where this costume originated from in one of my performance videos HERE. 

From time to time I get asked to model for art classes and Manchester's Dr Sketchy's events, which are a fab combination of burlesque and life drawing. I love doing these kind of things, because it gives me a chance to still dress up and act out a fun character in front of an audience.

But it also requires the ability to hold a pose, and sometimes hold it for up to 30 minutes or more, which gives you quite some time to think! 

What does a life model think about as a room full of eyes study her and commit her to paper? Is it something profound and deeply creative? Well, not really. Here's some of the things I thought about while I was posing at Bury last weekend:

Gosh it's nice to not have to DO anything for a while!

I hope the trams are working on the journey back because I really want to go to Mum's for a brew this afternoon!

That lady over there has got a nice jumper on

That man over there has done a good drawing!

I wish Lee would take a bloody photo!

Ahhhh my arm is aching now!

Another 10 minutes! Come on arm, stop aching!

My hair turned out really well today

So as you can tell, not very deep or profound either! But posing and being drawn is one of my pleasures because I am part of a creative process and very much part of a shared moment.

Any other life models out there I'd love to know what you think about while you pose! 

Gemma ***

Back at last!

I've been experiencing some technical problems of late, hence not updating my blogs for a while. So Here's the latest news:

Photo by Candee Photography

The Chantilly Belles to perform at Dr Sketchy, Manchester

Friday 19th August Dr Sketchy presents 'Oh Foxy Lady'. We will be performing our routine 'Never Outfox the Fox' and also posing for some fab drawing sessions with games, music and prizes thrown into the mix. If you enjoy drawing and burlesque and want to attend a life drawing class with a difference come along and join the fun.

Dr Sketchy takes place at MadLab 

36-40 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HN in the Norther Quarter (just opposite Common)

Tickets need to be booked in advance

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Mrs Brown's Diary

The installments 12 and 13 are now online!

This story is inspired by the 1950's dressing room which is on display at Stoke Potteries Museum and Art Gallery until 11 September. The dressing room display is the outcome of my collaboration with the museum's decorative arts department and belongs to the fictional character Mrs Brown, a young housewife from 1951 living in the town of Hanley. Taking cues from the fashions of the time, social dynamics and historic events from Stoke, her story is currently being told hrough her diary.

This week Mrs Brown finds herself the subject of a cooking drama, and finds escape from her small existance through the magazines of the time. What ideas will they put into her head?...

Read the original article that inspires Mrs Brown below. It is a wonderful snapshot into a world where careers for women were still new, and young people took a pride in their jobs and acheivements. It's also quite funny to read how the experience of clothes shopping has changed since the 1950's along with our attitudes to fashion for the larger lady. Enjoy:

 

Godfrey Winns portriat of a modern shopgirl.
She's proud of her job

Picture Post circa 1947-51

I have two new neighbours in my street. I went to supper with them last night, and took a bottle of light white wine with me to christen their new abode. I hope they will be very happy there.

Their flat is at the corner, opposite the Westminster Bank, but they are their own bank, counting out the rent, they told me, as soon as they are paid each Thursday and sharing all their household bills exactly.

The ground floor of their new home is the shop window of the women's tailors, full of lengths of cloth. But Pam and Tilly are used to shop windows, of rather a larger kind, since they both work in the suit department of one of the finest stores in the West End, Peter Robinson's at Oxford Circus.

They think they are very lucky in their bachelor flat, with its all electric kitchen, because they had been home-hunting for a long time, in fact ever since they made friends.

'It's bliss,' exclaimed Pam, as she led me up the two flights of stairs. 'We don't mind what sort of day we've had at the store, we've got this to come back to. Tilly is a wizard cook, though of course we take it in turns,' she added as we reached the sitting-room.

A moment later, Tilly, or Miss Daphne Till, to give her full name, dashed in from the kitchen to say she was about to dish up, and she did hope I liked fish. I should have been mush too tactful to say that I didn't these days, whatever my tastes, but as it happens I do, very much - especially when it is cooked so well. It almost made me want to turn vegetarian like my other hostess, Miss Pamela Guard, known as Pam to all her friends, though she answers to the cry of 'Blondie', from any of her dozen departmental companians.

'They call me anything, but I don't mind' exclaimed this twenty-year old career girl, who has already crowded a great deal of experience into her pursuit of independance.

As a small girl in the war, she was evactuated to Devonshire, where she had a heavenly childhood, living in a village, messing about with boats, never going near a town of any sort. Her passion, then and now, is dogs, and at the moment she has two, both boarded out with friends, a boxer and a golden spaniel, but she is hoping one day to be able to make a home for them, too, just as she is hoping to prosper in her career.

'I am determined to make something of my life, on my own' Pam keeps on repeating, like a battle cry. I don't think she has done so badly already. In fact I admire very much her passionate ambition to become as expert a saleswoman as her mother, who is in the same store.

Probably the best ambassadors of all for our country during this Festival Summer will be the countless unknown girls who will serve foreigners from abroad with all sorts of goods marked 'Made in Britain'.

Moreover, there are big prospects and good openings for keen, intelligent girls in our retail stores, as Miss Ryder would tell you.

I must explain that Miss Ryder, who is one of the most charming women I have met in a long time, is in charge of personnel at Peter Robinson's. And she amused me very much describing what so often happens when a girl, about to leave school, comes for an interview with her mother. 'Somethimes the mother talks so much I have to lean forward and interrupt gently, "Am I wrong, it is your daughter isn't it, who wants to come to us?"' 

Actually, my portrait subject this week entirely made up her own mind after trying something else out first.

Pam Guard spent two years serving her apprenticeship in a West End hairdresser's. But at the back of her mind was a longing to get out among the customers and use her own initiative.

Her mother warned her that it would mean clocking in before nine each morning, a working day till half past five with only an hour's break for lunch, and Saturday morning often the busiest time of the whole week.

But Pam was undaunted. And is still undaunted even now when she confesses that she keeps two pairs of shoes at the store, and changes after lunch, to give her feet a better chance. 'And I do wear them out quickly' she exclaims. 'All the same, Tilly and I do think it's worth it, if only because two days are never exactly alike. You never get that feeling of being stuck.'

'And what about the customer?' I asked, 'you are not disillusioned yet?'

'Oh no, I like the customers, especially the big ones.'

'You men the ones who spend a lot?'

'No, I mean the ones who take big sizes. They are always so grateful when you can fix them up with something that really fits them and makes them look slimmer, too.'

'Can you always tell at once if a customer is really serious?'

The two career girls looked at eachother and nodded in unison. 'The ones I always dread,' Tilly confessed, 'are those who have brought a woman friend along with them for a second opinion. Somehow you always feel from the start that it's not going to be possible to please them both at the same momnet.'

 'The only one who can cope with them' Pam broke in, ' is Miss Solomon. She always says that if you can once get the jacket of a suit on a customers back, then the battle is almost over.'

I had already met Miss Solomon when I visited Pam's department for it was whispered in my ear that sometimes she earms, with commission, as much as fourteen pounds a week. And the buyers oftem have salaries of thousands a year, yet thay all started exaclty the same way as Pam and Tilly have done.

When I asked Miss Wilson, Pam's immediate boss, who is happily married in private life, and therefore has two successful careers, what the secret was, she said, 'There is no secret. It's personality plus concentration, plus a real liking for people. I don't look upon this as work,' she added, 'it's too exciting for that.'

And I think Pam feels the same, yes, even when she is dashing down our street to catch a Number 25B bus at Victoria every morning at twenty past eight. But in her heart she has pride in the knowledge that she belongs now to that army of her countrywomen, who in peace and war, do so much to keep up our credit in the eyes of the rest of the world that will be especially turned toward us this Summer.

Good luck, pam and Tilly.  It's nice having you as neighbours...

Dr Sketchy's Birmingham this Saturday!

I can't believe I forgot to mention that this weekend The Chantilly Belles are performing at Dr Sketchy's in Birmingham . It's an X Files themed event and all the acts are of the spooky and paranormal variety. We will be performing our new act 'Chantillystein' as seen at the Comedy 4 Chrisites event at the beginning of this month. We are really looking forward to it and hope to see all you artists and burlesque lovers there!

Dr Sketchy's Birmingham
The Victoria Pub
3.30pm
Tickets £8 can be bought from www.candeephotography.co.uk

Dr Sketchy's last week

I got two nice suprises when I opened my inbox today. I got sent this link from BBC Stoke and Staffordshire about the Scarlet Fever portrait I did being unveiled at Stoke on Trent Burlesque last month.

I also got an email about the Dr Sketchy event held last week. It's a long story but it began with The Lowry holding a Nu-Burlesque weekend last week. I was asked if I would show some work and jumped at the oppertunity. I exhibited a selection of my paintings in The Quays bar and foyer. If that wasn't enough I also got asked if I could model for an impromptu Dr Sketchy being held in the same venue for the same event!

So me and Rene Le Rouge my burlesque partner from our double act The Chantilly Belles spent that Sunday afternoon posing and I got some of the photos today! Thanks to Adam from Air Photography, you can see more of his work at his website airadam.com

The zombie pose!


A winner for the adjective and verb pose competition


Having a break and joining in


Rene is a cute little goat

This was an especially fun afternoon as it combined two of my favourite things; performance and art. it was really interesting to see what people had come up with after standing there watching them draw us. I'd definately do it again!