Voodoo Pixie at Beatles Burlesque at Vancouver FanClub, Oct. 11 2013. Jess Desaulniers-Lea photo.
Photos – Beatles Burlesque at Vancouver FanClub, Oct. 11 2013
– review and photos by Jess Desaulniers-Lea
Blue Morris’ Beatles Burlesque was a true delight and a treat for Beatles and burlesque fans Friday evening, debuting on Granville at the Vancouver FanClub.
The sold-out show was as eclectic as the Beatles’ repertoire. It not only included burlesque veterans Veronica Vex, Melody Mangler and Calamity Kate, to name a few, but was approved just prior to the show for performances to include some pyrotechnics, which were a spectacle in themselves.
Frontwoman Red Heartbreaker’s raw rock n’ roll vocals and Miss Kiss’ sultry backups accompanied Morris’ lead guitar stylings. The band covered the span of the Beatles albums, from the early days of “Hard Day’s Night” to fan favourite “Twist and Shout” to later efforts “Helter Skelter” and “Something.”
Morris’ renditions illuminated the bands sheer passion for Beatles music as well as their accomplished musical artistry. When asked why the guitarist, with so many musical influences, chose the Beatles for a production of this scale he said, “Why the Beatles and burlesque? Other than the fact that I am such a Beatles fan, it’s because the Beatles music lends itself so well to burlesque. There is such a great variety of sounds and styles in their albums –from the early rockers to the later experimental music, there’s so much to work with.”
Known comedic burlesque performer Connie Cahoots hosted (she also hosts Morris’ Rock n’ Roll Burlesque monthly at the Electric Owl). She amused us returning each time to the stage with an even more bold get-up than the last before transforming into the Queen of England, crown and all, lighting a bra on fire before the audience.
Her last transformation was unexpected and none other than Yoko Ono, reenacting Ono’s infamous performance art pieces “Piece Cut” in which Ono removed items of clothing with a pair of scissors. Connie removed her clothing with scissors but then turned the voyeurism on the crowd asking them to take their pants off and photograph their bums.
In an email, Cahoots wrote, “I love the Beatles more every time we do the show. Their music has an effect on people. It’s great to see the crowd up dancing right along with us – this does not happen at every burlesque show. It’s also nice to see the die hard fans singing along to every word of every song. Beatles Burlesque is a feel good show- sexy, fun and nostalgic.”
Needless to say, there was something for everyone in this production, from sultry and slow stripteases to classic rock n’ roll and shimmying. But despite the singing-and-dancing of the audience, Morris’ avoided the usual clichés of a Beatles cover band by simply doing things his way while still retaining what made each Beatles song memorable lyrically and melodically.
Morris plans to tour more cities in the spring. “This is the eighth time we have done Beatles Burlesque and we sell out the house every time. We plan to do it again in Vancouver soon.” For more on Beatles Burlesque and other Blue Morris productions go to bluemorris.com.
More Beatles Burlesque and Vancouver FanClub photos:
