Today We’re joined by Hester Hawthorne. Local Burlesque Dancer & “Formerly New Zealand's
favourite stripping Muppet” who will be performing at our First Gig at The Brunswick Cellar Bar on
the 10th of September!
favourite stripping Muppet” who will be performing at our First Gig at The Brunswick Cellar Bar on
the 10th of September!
So Hester, Tell us a bit about yourself? When did you start Burlesque Dancing? And what got you into
it? What would you say makes you unique?
it? What would you say makes you unique?
I started in burlesque over ten years ago now, though I have had several long breaks over that
time. I was a club stripper when I started and I loved getting up on stage. I had an interest in crafting
and costuming and desire to do something a little different from my usual stripping. Some people I
knew were putting on a show so I joined in. Right from the start they thought my ideas were a bit
weird and didn't invite me back so I went on to produce a couple of shows to offer opportunities to
other weirdos and somehow became part of the beginning of the Wellington burlesque scene.
time. I was a club stripper when I started and I loved getting up on stage. I had an interest in crafting
and costuming and desire to do something a little different from my usual stripping. Some people I
knew were putting on a show so I joined in. Right from the start they thought my ideas were a bit
weird and didn't invite me back so I went on to produce a couple of shows to offer opportunities to
other weirdos and somehow became part of the beginning of the Wellington burlesque scene.
What do you hope to achieve through your art? Any goals or ideas you’d like to do?
I have far more ideas than I could ever make acts from. Daydreaming about things I think would be
funny to do mostly naked is one of my major pastimes. Mostly I just want to get creative, have fun
and confuse, amuse and arouse the audience.
funny to do mostly naked is one of my major pastimes. Mostly I just want to get creative, have fun
and confuse, amuse and arouse the audience.
Who would you say are your biggest influences?
Jo Weldon is who first inspired me. I saw a photo of her in her "Boobzilla" costume and it really spoke
to me. She's also a kickass older woman and super vocal about sex workers' rights.
to me. She's also a kickass older woman and super vocal about sex workers' rights.
In the UK I have been lucky enough to be mentored by Queen of Queerlesque, Rubyyy Jones and
while our styles are very different her input has really given me the push to be more brave and
ambitious in my acts.
while our styles are very different her input has really given me the push to be more brave and
ambitious in my acts.
You originally came from New Zealand? What’s the difference between performing there and in the
UK?
UK?
The hardest thing about moving here has been that nobody knows who the hell I am! Going from
having producers who knew and trusted me to be in their shows to being a total newbie to the scene
here has been tough. On the other hand I have had some fabulous opportunities that I wouldn't
have had in New Zealand, like traveling to perform in different countries.
having producers who knew and trusted me to be in their shows to being a total newbie to the scene
here has been tough. On the other hand I have had some fabulous opportunities that I wouldn't
have had in New Zealand, like traveling to perform in different countries.
You like to combine Cosplay into your Burlesque acts? What inspired that and what’s the creative
process behind it? What challenges does it present compared to traditional Burlesque?
process behind it? What challenges does it present compared to traditional Burlesque?
I have never been a proper cosplayer but I have always been a nerd and it just made sense to me to
make acts based on my interests. My first act was inspired by the ballroom/dream scene from
Labyrinth. Later I discovered that it was called Nerdlesque and others were doing it.
make acts based on my interests. My first act was inspired by the ballroom/dream scene from
Labyrinth. Later I discovered that it was called Nerdlesque and others were doing it.
The biggest challenge with it for me has been making it appeal to both fans of the work the act it is
based on and those with less knowledge. People who haven't seen the film Alien have quite a
different reaction to my Ellen Ripley act than those who know it.
based on and those with less knowledge. People who haven't seen the film Alien have quite a
different reaction to my Ellen Ripley act than those who know it.
How mainstream would you say Burlesque is in this current time? Or would you say it’s more of a
niche/ acquired taste?
niche/ acquired taste?
I spend so much time around burlesque and cabaret people that I sometimes forget that most people
have only the vaguest notion of what it can be. It's definitely more mainstream than when I started
but when people find out that I'm a burlesque performer I do feel like I need to manage their
expectations before they picture me as some glamorous showgirl type.
have only the vaguest notion of what it can be. It's definitely more mainstream than when I started
but when people find out that I'm a burlesque performer I do feel like I need to manage their
expectations before they picture me as some glamorous showgirl type.
What would you say is the best moment you’ve had so far in performing?
It's hard to pick just one, to be honest. I guess my career highlight would still have to be when
Bazuka Joe (boylesque/nerdlesque superstar) told me he liked my act.
Bazuka Joe (boylesque/nerdlesque superstar) told me he liked my act.
And the worse?
I've had my share of missteps and costume malfunctions but nothing ever catastrophic and it's
exhilarating to pull through and still entertain.
exhilarating to pull through and still entertain.
The only time I have ever not enjoyed a performance was when I just could not get the audience to
engage. Dancing round half naked to a silent, unsmiling audience is a really uncomfortable experience.
engage. Dancing round half naked to a silent, unsmiling audience is a really uncomfortable experience.
Do you have anything special prepared for The Brunswick?
I thought since this is a new venue and audience for me that I would bring the act that is most "me".
It's the act I've performed longest and in four different countries and should be a fun and perhaps
unexpected interlude between the bands.
It's the act I've performed longest and in four different countries and should be a fun and perhaps
unexpected interlude between the bands.
Thanks for joining us, Is there anything else you would like to say?
Only that I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on the 10th!
Big Thank You to Hester for joining us today. Hester will be performing at our Debut Gig @
The Brunswick Cellar Bar, Brighton on the 10th of September. In the meantime you can check
them out on Social media at
The Brunswick Cellar Bar, Brighton on the 10th of September. In the meantime you can check
them out on Social media at
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