Sparkles and Nipple Tassels Galore with The Botanical Bombshell

photo by @emmajoanne39

What an amazing night we had when the fabulous burlesque performer The Botanical Bombshell (aka Lucy) paid us a visit. She arrived bedecked in stockings, brassiere, corset, elegant evening gloves and beautiful sparkly jacket and shoes. She was an absolute feast for the eyes on a dull autumnal evening!

Lucy began by telling us what it was about burlesque that she loved so much and why she had decided to take it up three and a half years ago. She said that she had always had a passion for all things 1950's: the fashion, films, cars, art including the pinup style of photography and of course burlesque. Sadly Lucy lost her husband to cancer in 2016, and whilst this made her realise that life can be short and that it was important to live it to the full, she needed some time to grieve before she felt able to embark on her new hobby. But by 2018 she was ready to book on a course and in her words '"go for it!" During this 5 week beginners course in Brighton Lucy fell in love with all things burlesque.

In particular Lucy found that the burlesque community are an incredibly inclusive and supportive group of people, they are all shapes and sizes: big boobs, little boobs, fat and thin, they are all from diverse age groups, backgrounds and sexualities, and with their own reasons for wanting to learn burlesque. Among the many firm friends Lucy has made in the last 3 and a half years they would all agree that It is an empowering and liberating way to have fun, get a bit of exercise and forge long lasting friendships. And Lucy added that as well as teaching women a new skill, burlesque also teaches them to love their bodies, it increases confidence and so for many women who take part it can be a form of therapy.

The courses always culminate in a glitzy show, which isn't compulsory, but everybody always wants to be included... the audiences are treated to performances by professional artistes as well as the women showcasing their new skills. The audience at the shows are very diverse but mainly made up of partners, family and friends who are there to support not only their burlesque performer, but all of the women... the sense of awe and overwhelming pride that emanates from the audience is palpable. So burlesque is very far from being merely about sex and titillation.

Lucy gave us a very interesting potted history of the origins of burlesque and then performed a routine. It was utterly fabulous!

Then Lucy gave us a lesson on how to remove silky gloves in an elegant and provocative way. I’m not sure we achieved her finesse but we certainly had a lot of fun! I was so impressed with how many ladies got up to have a go proving that Broadbridge Bomshells WI members are far from being a shy and retiring bunch. Check out the pictures below and, here's a first for my tech skills... a video!

As you can see it really was a fun and fabulous evening and whilst the thunder and lightning raged outside we forgot all our worries and strutted our stuff! Thank you Lucy for a great evening it was such a treat!

Lucy is hoping to set up a local beginners burlesque group. Any interested ladies should let Fiona know and she will pass on your details.

Our next meeting, October 26th 8pm, Pumpkin Carving Competition and Elections. See you there!