Tease-à-GoGo: striptease with a wink
Posted 18 January, 2008 - 21:05 by Truelove
Burlesque is back in Amsterdam! And of course we wanted to be part of that. Tease-à-GoGo is located in a cosy theatre with an attractive atmosphere and is organized twice a month, starting November last year. We had to miss the first performances, but this Saturday was party-time. After buying our tickets via Internet for some friends and ourselves, we had another good look at the flyer with the slogan: 'Better overdressed than underdressed'. Best dressed couple would win a bottle of champagne and free tickets for the next edition of Tease-à-GoGo.
Of course, this didn't fall on deaf ears and we took the opportunity to show off. As hardcore fetish party-visitors, it shouldn't be to hard to make something good of it. While Anita wore a corset and feathered hat, Martin dressed up in an oversized suit, suspenders and a flat cap. We didn't want do the 'real big thing', knowing there would also be a lot of 'vanilla' partypeeps.
Before the theatre opened its doors, we spent some time in the adjacent Irish pub, where people casually glanced at our appearances. We admit that an Irish Pub is not the proper place to be in a burlesque outfit, but we had a good time anyway, chatting in comfortable chairs near the fire. By the time the live-act was ready to appear there, we moved onto the Comedy Theatre next door and, after a little waiting for the previous audience to leave the premises, we entered a small, intimate room. Lots of red plush, attractive lightning and a smoky atmosphere. A bar on the left side and another balcony behind us, from where one had a good view at the stage but would feel less part of the happening below. We got hold of some seats pretty close to the stage, just behind two rows of pre-booked ones, which were obviously meant for some famous stars to appear. Except for 'Happy Hooker' Xaviera Hollander, we recognized none of them, but surely they must have been there. Among the trickling audience, three very cute waitresses took everybodies orders and were being very sweet indeed. Compliments well deserved. At the rear of the stage, a film with Josephine Baker-ish dancers where shown and swinging music was being played by 5 musicians of The West Hell Three +2. This, and the fact that the theatre is a very cosy one with a genuine nightclub atmosphere, guaranteed an attractive environment.
Tease-à-GoGo is being organised by Koos van Dijk (former manager of Herman Brood), the Amsterdam Beat Club and Cherry Sue, a.k.a. Sue Moreno from Rock 'n Roll band Sue Moreno and the flaming Stars. They bring burlesque as a combination of stand-up comedy, varieté and striptease with a wink. Nudity is not the main issue and a woman would have an equally pleasant night as her male companion. It's remarkable to see how the borders of burlesque, fetish, gothic and 30-50's swing and Rock 'n Roll music are near to eachother. Sometimes dresscodes, music an acts come together and this gave us a warm and comfortable, familiar feeling at this burlesque evening.
At the stroke of midnight the show started with the appearance of a stout and sociable gentleman who told a story in English about the adventures of Dirty Gerty. His findings were impersonated by a young woman and her male companion, in a completely incomprehensible way. But it looked very funny though. After this we where treated to a burlesque (strip)act of a lady riding from a large shell. We had seen this act before at Boudoir Bizarre, but no less fun to look at it again. Thereupon a singer with a Frank Sinatra-voice appeared on stage. He announced to be Jewish offspring and made some jokes about that. These weren't so funny at all unfortunately. Perhaps because of the English language in front of a largely Dutch audience or perhaps they just didn't come to their own, who'll tell? Fact is that very few people laughed. A pity, but this was fully made up for by his swinging songs and a very pleasant voice. Being a comedian surely isn't his cup of tea, but being a singer definitely is. Next came the Dutch burlesque dancer Miss Beeby Rose with a stylish strip-act, in which she kept her intimate bodyparts graciously hidden behind a multitude of feathers. She's a real artist in beautifully 'decorating' her strip-acts. That talent, combined with her fondness of 30's pin-up, fitted the concept of these performances perfectly.
Some more naughty strip- and dance acts followed, with amongst others, Coco-Jane an former Rai Uno beauty Monique Sluyter. After that the host of the night announced a break and at the same time suggested to put the seats on the sides, so to create a dancefloor for everybody, who would like to dance after the break. An elated and relaxed mood prevailed and guests clearly felt like taking the floor. Not in the least because of the swinging music that was being played. However, before taking the break the result of the (over)dressing-contest would be announced. The Master of Ceremonies made his way into the audience our hearts raced with anticipation, as he came our way. He really did and... yes, he choose us from the audience! Being 'best dressed' couple, we got to climb on stage and were handed out a bottle of champagne and a (quickly written) free ticket for the next edition of Tease-à-GoGo. This was a really nice surprise. For we secretly had hoped for it of course, but hadn't really expected it. It made our evening all the more fun.
After we found our calm selves back again and killed the bottle together with our friends and let go on the dancefloor enjoying the 30-50's swing and Rock 'n Roll music. A relaxed atmosphere and everybody being easygoing and sweet. Lost of visitors attended to the 'overdress' dresscode, which contributed to the nostalgic atmosphere. Also worth mentioning were the toilettes. Those were spacious,clean, well looked after and provided with a lots of nicely smelling perfumes and other goodies. A little table full of beautifully displayed candy came with it. And... it was a very sociable place to be to.
After having taken pics of all the present partypeeps, we danced our heads off and enjoyed some more tempting stripacts on stage, including lots of feathers, glitter, frills and winking. Towards three o'clock our feet started to refuse work and so time for us to make it to the nightbus, which arrived quickly. Once we where seated, after some stops, a gentleman with to much booze inside, got in. Frightfully swaying, he asked permission to take our picture. It really was to much honour. We had been in the spotlights long enough that evening.
Plus: relaxed, 'smoky' atmosphere
Min : acts could be a bit more professional
Tip : be seduced to make a burlesque trip
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