Burlesque's Back Baby!

Nineteenth century music hall vaudeville stylee made its merry way to Dublin at the weekend when striptease artist Chrys Columbine and a few other tassel twirlers gathered in The Sugar Club for the Dublin Burlesque Ball. If only all other Dublin Balls were this interesting folks...

Laura Kelly, Orla McAdam, Lisa McGuinness

Burlesque is basically chorus girl fashion. Basques, fishnets, garters, high heels, set hairdos, immaculate make-up, big feather head dresses, and lots more. Don't even get us started on the nipple tassels. Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise...

Chrys Columbine

Ever since we saw UK burlesque performer Chrys Columbine doing her thing on The Podge & Rodge show, we knew we had to catch her live act at the Burlesque Ball - her famous piano playing striptease.

Chrys Columbine

Miss Columbine's tantalising de-garmenting sure does live up to the hype... While she tinkles on her piano the porcelain statuesque beauty slowly removes her clothing until she's down to her frilly bits 'n' bobs. And all that without missing a single key. Impressive.

Trixie Minx

Chrys wasn't the only performer on the genre reviving night hosted by Madame CocoParis. Angela Eve (USA), Lady Catalina (UK) and Trixie Minx (USA) all brought their own individual trademark performances to the Leeson Street venue. It's striptease without the Peter Stringfellow influence.

Angela Eve

And it wasn't just the stage acts getting in on the Moulin Rouge-style fun. Irish Apprentice star Orla McAdam and her chums Laura Kelly and Lisa McGuinness set temperatures rising with their fetish glad rags... Girls, you’re hired.

Caroline Kerrigan, Melissa Nelson (Honeytrap)

Many of the custom made corsets, bonnets and other detailed garments on show at the Burlesque Ball were supplied by Caroline Kerrigan and Melissa Nelson from their popular Honeytrap boutique in Dun Laoghaire. An veritable Aladdin's Cave of corsetry and hosiery.

Natalie DaCosta, Susan Breslin, Sarah Faulkner

Other guests glamming-it-up on Saturday night included Natalie DaCosta, Susan Breslin, Sarah Faulkner, Madine Wendt, Mario Pereira, Natalie Fradas, Laney Yau, Ronan Quinn, Lida Hertelova, and many more...

Madine Wendt, Mario Pereira, Natalie Fradas

Well done to all concerned for throwing a great night and turning the whole Ball experience on its head...

Ronan Quinn, Lida Hertelova

Now, if only a few more Dublin Balls would employ semi-naked female piano players our job would be waaay more interesting... Just a suggestion.

Laney Yau