Miss Polly Rae isn’t your average chick, no not in the slightest. Miss Polly Rae, for me is a like a dream come true. A true beauty, lovely personality, bursting with sex appeal, luscious lips and outstanding physique.
Yes you can tell from my opening lines that I’m taken-a-back and I’m gagging to see her perform live. I know I’m sounding like those teens, those teens that have die-hard crushes on their favourite celebs and someone like me who is around celebs all time should be used to this type of thing, yet Miss Polly Rae has got me acting like a kid in a candy store.
Luckily I am going to watch Miss Polly Rae perform LIVE at the London Wonderground in her burlesque cabaret show Between The Sheets and I cannot wait. I haven’t been to a burlesque show for some time now and this feature was the perfect opportunity to whet my appetite in prep for the performance.
The video above gives you a glimpse at what you will miss if you do not get your ticket. The photos below should easily compel you with velocity to get yourself and your friends down to the London Wonderground.
If you’re reading this Miss Polly Rae, I hope you are blushing from my intro…
So let’s start the questions with everything about you and the burlesque industry.
Welcome to Flavourmag, for those of us who have been living under a rock and are not abreast (pardon the pun) with the burlesque scene, tell us who you are and what you do.
Thanks! I am Miss Polly Rae. I am a Burlesque Artist, Singer and Compere. Burlesque is an art form that typically involves theatrical striptease, dance and parody from the late 17th century, it was popularised greatly in 40’s and 50’ America. I have been in the business for nearly 10 years. I came across it through my teacher (now friend) Jo King at The London Academy Of Burlesque. She taught me how to ‘bump and grind’ and I never looked back.
You’re going to be performing ‘Between The Sheets’ at the London Wonderground, what can we expect from the show?
As the name suggests it’s a show that celebrates all things ‘in the bedroom’. Voyeurs are invited into my boudoir to discover all the saucy things that happen there! I’m thrilled to be back at The Wonderground, we did a short run last year which was a huge success so we are back this year with a longer run and a bigger and better show. The show stars some of the best in cabaret including Kitty Bang Bang, Frisky (of Frisky and Mannish) and Stephen Williams, it’s a real variety show that combines burlesque, cabaret, comedy and circus. There is something for everyone…..over 18!!!
I’ve always wanted to know more about burlesque performers, what made you decide to become one and how did you get into this industry?
When I met Jo, I didn’t really know much about burlesque of the London Cabaret scene, her enthusiasm and passion for it got me hooked and allowed me to find a creative direction that was perfect for me. The biggest pull for was that with burlesque there are literally no rules.
Whats the best thing(s) of being Miss Polly Rae?
Getting to perform onstage and making people smile.
Whats the worst part?
Tit Tape.
How has the Burlesque scene changed over time, since you’ve been involved?
Oh it’s changed greatly, the bar has been raised, there is a higher standard of burlesque now, it’s become more innovative and creative too which is really refreshing.
I agree, I love innovation and creativity, it going hand in hand with everything I do. Let’s take a look at what inspires you.
Who are you inspired by right now?
I am inspired by people who are making moves in the cabaret scene, there are a lot of people who have been grafting so hard for years to achieve higher levels of success and its all finally paying off. I especially take my hat off to a show called ‘Briefs’, an all male burlesque and circus show, watching their journey has been so exciting and inspiring.
If you could choose to make a show with any person from any industry i.e. music, film or TV etc, who would you choose and why?
I recently saw the stage version of Strictly Ballroom directed by Baz Lurman in Austraila. The best show I have seen in a long time. I would love to do a show with him, he is a true visionary.
Sounds awesome. can we talk about your fashion, beauty and body.
You’re absolutely gorgeous and you get to dress up in sensational outfits and lingerie, what is your favourite place to shop for clothes and favourite place to shop for lingerie?
Why thank you! I typically get my costumes made so I can have something that is unique to me and fits me perfectly. But often you can find some great bits and pieces on the High St that if customised well, can be transformed into magnificent costumes. We burlesque performers are very friendly with Swarovski Flat-Back Crystals and Gem Tac! Lingerie wise, I shop at Coco-De –Mer and Agent Provocateur.
How would you describe your style when you are not working?
50’s chic with a contemporary twist.
For the ladies out there, give us a beauty tip on how you maintain your skin.
I always invest in good skincare, I trained as a beauty therapist before becoming a performer so believe that investing in the right products really makes a difference. I typically go for a professional salon brands, not so much the High St. That, along with lots of water and good rest keeps my skin pretty healthy.
Being a performer, we assume you have to wear a lot of makeup, whats your favourite make up brands right now.
Yes I live in make-up! I like to use all sorts of make-brands. MAC is my favourite but I also use YSL and Illamasqua a lot. I have just discovered this incredible Lipstick brand called Lime Crime, their Red is to die for and it doesn’t budge all night! Even after kissing 😉
If you had to choose 2 make up products to leave in your handbag and nothing else, what would you choose?
Red Lipstick and Pressed Powder.
Your body is amazing, such a stunning physique. I have to ask, how to you maintain your figure? Does performing keep you fit or do you do extra training too?
Thanks! Performing does keep me fit but I do go to yoga 3-4 times a week. At the moment I have been trying out Hot Vinyasa Yoga – I love it!
Do you have a special diet that helps you maintain your figure?
Not particularly, I do try to keep it balanced, I drink lots of water and have fresh juice every day but I’m not obsessed about it and I do allow myself naughty things every now and again, I’m a sucker for a good old British Fry-Up!
I concur, I can’t imagine the morning after the night before without a full English breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, let’s move onto attraction, work and relationships (don’t ask how I connected those all together).
I would assume with a look like yours, that you would probably attract both men and women, what type compliments do you generally receive and do you get more compliments from men or women?
I get compliments mostly from women, I think a lot of guys may be a bit shy to come up to me post-show. The girls always compliment the shows on what a laugh they have had, and also the costumes of course!
If I was lucky enough to see you in a bar or club (when you are not working of course) and wanted to approach you. What 3 things could I do to make myself stand out in your eyes?
Confidence, warmth, a bit of cheekiness and a sense of humour.
For the guys. Do chat-up lines actually work?
Yes they can work, it just depends on the delivery!
Many hard-working women say that maintaining a relationship is very hard when you have a very busy schedule, is this also true for you?
It’s not easy but I make it work, if you really want to be in a relationship you have to make time and compromise.
What type of person/traits do you look for in a partner?
Confidence, warmth, a bit of cheekiness and sense of humour. Haha! Those things are very important to me. I like a man who is strong, independent and not intimidated by what I do. But above all it has to be someone I can have a laugh with.
Tick, tick, tick and tick, I think you just described me, yet all the ladies in our office seem to have a love for Tom hardy, Channing Tatum, Will Smith and Tyson Beckford to name a few. Tell us your celeb crush or crushes.
I’m totally crushing on Charlie Hunnam from Son Of Anarchy right now – I just finished season 7.
And what about your girl crush?
Eva Mendes I would totally turn for.
Yes Eva is stunning, I remember her once saying “We seem okay with violence, but nudity we race to criticize and censor” which leads me onto sexuality and myths.
Some people would assume that being a burlesque performer means that you are probably a highly sexual person. Would you agree with this statement?
Not necessarily, burlesque is performance art, it’s very often acting. Just because someone acts sexual doesn’t mean they actually are sexual. Of course behaving sexually can help explore sexuality but I think it is different for everyone. Am I sexual? Well that would be telling 😉
For women wanting to do or doing burlesque classes. Do you think it helps women find or develop their sexuality?
Sure, it helps to build confidence and a positive body image. It allows women to explore their sexuality because it allows them to connect with their femininity, power and sexiness.
What advice would you give to women on exploring their sexuality?
Go for it! Don’t be afraid, stay open and leave your inhibitions at the door. There is no right or wrong, just what feels right and good for you.
Are you Miss Polly Rae all the time, or is Miss Polly Rae and alter-ego?
It would be exhausting to be Miss Polly Rae all the time. She is of course still me but an over exaggerated version of the outrageous, glamourous, show-off side of me.
I would like to see both sides one day. Would be a good learning curve. I must say I have really enjoyed this interview, it’s been well worth the wait. Cive us a quote or two that you always stand by?
Anything is possible.
And finally tell us something you have never said in any other interview.
I have a secret addiction to Pickled Onion Monster Munch.
Follow Miss Polly Rae on twitter @TheMissPollyRae and make sure you get yourself down to her show.