2014 Edinburgh Fringe

More details

Unique - the only word for DIXEY, a show that will simply blow your minds that makes its world-wide premiere at this year's Edinburgh Festival for the whole month this August at the Assembly Roxy. A seductive celebration of male burlesque, pushing the boundaries with performances the UK has never seen before. Drawing inspiration from the legendary forefather of male display, Henry R Dixey, who titillated American audiences in the 1880s with his show Adonis, DIXEY drags its audiences into a madcap world of comic and erotic provocation.

With a cheeky nod to the world of fable, DIXEY delivers acrobatics, contemporary dance, comedy, music and a healthy measure of naked male beauty. Thrilling sensations are guaranteed as our immaculately undressed gentlemen and powerfully poised ladies take you on a journey of self-revelation leading to a spectacular, scintillating climax. The show brings together the world's award winning provocative male burlesque performers on a grand scale. DIXEY features turns from the stunning Stage Door Johnnies, satirical lothario Russell Bruner, and the godfather of boylesque, Tigger! with special guests Zoe Jones and Tamzen Mouding.

PERFORMERS
Stage Door Johnnies: are the world's premier all-male burlesque group. Based in Chicago, performers Ray Gunn, Jett Adore, and Bazuka Joe give the audience a rare glimpse at a masculine twist on the historic art of striptease. The 'Johnnies' have strip-teased their way across the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and soon, Europe and Japan headlining burlesque festivals, teaching workshops, and touring full stage shows. Other credits include opening for a one-night only cabaret show with Liza Minnelli & Alan Cumming. Ray, Bazuka, and Jett have individually and collectively earned numerous local and world titles including "Best Group" 2011, "King of Burlesque 2013" (Ray Gunn), "Most Innovative" 2011 (Jett Adore), "Best Duet" 2012 (Jett Adore & Frenchie Kiss), "Artists of the Year 2010" by the Burlesque Innovation Guild; and named in the Top 10 performers in the world by 21st Century Burlesque Magazine two years in a row. Unique and theatrical, the 'Johnnies' re-imagine the classic conventions of Bettie Page and Gypsy Rose Lee and create a genuine male counterpart with a strong base in dance, theatre, and acrobatics. www.thestagedoorjohnnies.com

Russell Bruner is Vaudevillian sex appeal in seersucker and straw boaters! A mischievous, mustachioed devil of a man, Russell is a celebrated physical comedian, variety artist, swing dancer, emcee and burlesque peeler. As a performer and choreographer, Russell has recently won 3 titles at the world renowned Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend held in Las Vegas: "King of Burlesque 2012″, Best Group & Best Duo 2013 Russell has also spent much of his time performing acrobatics, partner dance, and gentleman juggling with the Wanderlust Circus and Swing Time PDX based in Portland, Oregon.

TIGGER! - Known as "The Original King of Boylesque" & "The Godfather of Neo-Boylesque." He is a Stripperformance Artist/Actor/Dancer who has performed in New York & abroad since 1988. A Pioneer in the 90s burlesque revival and remains a leading influence in the international scene. He won the 1st-ever King of Boylesque title at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas 2008 & several Golden Pastie Awards, including "Most Likely to Get Shut Down by the Law" & "Most Unpredictable Performer." His act was banned in Rome's Gay Village in 2011. He has acted in Shakespeare, Apollinaire, Genet, Wedekind, Horváth, Williams & numerous original works with Taylor Mac, Julie Atlas Muz, Penny Arcade & other geniuses. He has performed all over the world.

TAMZEN is a trained Dancer, Acrobat, and Aerialist. Her skills include: Contemporary Dance, Ballet and Circus Skills: Acrobatics, Hand Balance, Hand to Hand, Aerial: Cord de Lisse, Silks, Hoop, Chain, and Harness work. Tamzen has been working in the industry performing and teaching for ten years. Before becoming a performer she competed in gymnastics as part of the GB national squad, she then went on to gain a first class BA hons in contemporary dance at London Contemporary Dance School. Since graduating Tamzen has been on tour with the Batman Live arena show performing as a Flying Grayson and acrobat. She has worked as a freelance performer for 'The Generating co.' 'The Royal Opera House', 'English National Opera', 'Upswing Aerial performance' and 'The Flying Gorillas' dance and theatre co, She has performed at numerous venues including 'Love box' festival, 'Mini Adventures' for Mini Cooper, The Big Chill Festival, Glastonbury, and The National Theatre. She has worked on photographic, film and music video shoots, including, Ellie Goulding's 'Starry Eyed' video, Sherlock Holmes Game of shadows, Visuals for 'Muse' arena tour, and modelling for a Commonwealth Games poster and Getty images.

Zoe Jones: is a professional circus artist based in London. Born in France and raised in California, she originally trained as a competitive gymnast for 11 years until she moved to London in 2005 and rediscovered her love of being upside down! Zoe has now completed a BA in Circus Arts from The Circus Space in London where she specialised in hand balancing and continued to train acrobatics. She is also skilled in aerial hoop, corde lisse, silks and static trapeze. Zoe is also a well-respected handbalance and circus teacher and is a regular teacher on the Circus Space degree programme. She has taught at Ecole de Pole, Gravity Aerial Arts and in 2014 was chosen by the Circus Space to represent them in Montreal at the ENC.

CREATIVE PRODUCER: SEAN MOONEY With an extensive background in mainstream theatre in London, working with such companies as The Young Vic, Cheek by Jowl, The London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) and The Royal Shakespeare Company. Since turning his focus to the 'glamorous' world of Cabaret and Burlesque he has been the Production Manager for many high profile events, including; Polly Rae's 'Hurly Burly Show' and 'All New Hurly Burly Show', both at The Leicester Square Theatre as well as two shows for The Puppini Sisters (Koko & Royal Festival Hall), 'The London Burlesque Festival' 2007-2011 & 'The Amsterdam Burlesque Festival' 2009-2010. As a Producer he has been responsible for a number of critically acclaimed shows in London's West End, most notably A Frisky and Mannish Christmas & Frisky and Mannish's Christmas Mess...age. He was the original Creative Director of 'An Evening of Burlesque', the internationally acclaimed, burlesque theatre show and in 2013 he had the privilege of being a judge for The London Cabaret Awards.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - DUSTY LIMITS: is a singer, actor, compere and director and one of the leading figures on the 'new cabaret' scene. He has performed internationally and throughout the UK in a huge variety of cabaret and burlesque shows and six different solo shows. Directing credits include The Wedding of the (Leap) Year (of the Rat) at the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, The Winter of Our Discontent at the Arcola Tent, Prospero's Tavern at the London Wonderground, the Black Cat Cabaret at the Café de Paris (which won the 2013 London Cabaret Award for 'Best Production') and numerous plays ranging from pantomime to Wilde and Shakespeare.