After enjoying another Heldeke! event despite having spent years not seeing it, I wandered down to (finally) take in Burlesk in Estonian on a recent Thursday. The audience was a blend of solo travelers, friends, and lovers, and the show itself was structured so that each of the five burlesque sets was followed by an intermission, allowing for conversation, refreshments, and “from our sponsor” opportunities. The glamorous Katarina von Schatz hosted the event in Estonian, but body language was the main form of communication for the evening, making it accessible to everyone.
It was an absolute showcase of burlesque artistry, with (perhaps) a Halloween twist. Von Schatz as host was marvelous, a living pin-up that could not be pinned down, coy and creative, clever and sharp. The crew was also well-incorporated into the show, as both floor and stage managers ensured the smooth transition from entry to exit for the audience and performers alike. Their presence gave an air of immersive theatre and hospitality, adding charm to an already charming scene.
The first performer for the evening was Affinity Starr, who channeled classic Hollywood glamour with fluttering shawls and feathers. Her use of props accentuated her immaculately controlled movements, creating a gorgeous tension between what is hidden and what is revealed. In white for her first set, she looked like a gauzy goddess from the Golden Age, and her glittering performance was larger than life. Performing the fourth set of the evening, she swapped costumes and choreography for red silk and immense feathered fans, her glowing smile an invitation to, if not sin, then at least get a little bit naughty.
The second performer of the evening also had two sets, wrapping the show up in the fifth slot. Penislow Pallinowski of Finland brought the comedic flair of Classic Hollywood to the stage in their first set, vamped up with Bela Lugosi flair. Pallinowski’s sets highlighted the connections between burlesque, theatre, and drag and films from the classic and modern era — their second set was as Darth Vader. Their ability to channel characters and use facial expressions provided a sexy, funny, relatable approach to burlesque; who amongst us hasn’t struggled with a shoe at a key moment? The balance between striptease and physical comedy was fantastic.
The third performer of the evening, with only one set (but holy hell, how well-constructed that outfit was) was Wickler Wilde. A cat-like creature (which paired well with von Schatz’s mouse costume), Wilde was as rakish and charming as their presumed namesake. With messy hair and tartan clothes held together with gold chains and a smile, the performance deconstructed the character from a dapper dandy to a wild thing, thanks to a skilled costume designer. I seriously cannot get over how good the costume looked and how well it came apart. It feels a bit simple to say, “They took their clothes off real good,” but this set demonstrated how complex and fun it can be when great costuming meets great choreography.
You can catch more burlesque at Heldeke! in November, with Boylesque running from the 7th to the 9th with male performers and more Burlesk from the 21st to 23rd. It is highly recommended as a great evening out for couples and groups, as the show’s structure is perfect for enjoying live entertainment and good conversation.
Author: Laurie
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