“I’m very proud of our efforts,” Miss Nic reflects. “I love that we have been able to develop an event which is unique within the burlesque industry and is being so well supported by small businesses and the general public.”
Gorelesque was first established in 2009 by Miss Nic and Vesper White, another of Melbourne’s burlesque starlets. Saddened by the lack of opportunity for darker acts to prosper in the burlesque scene, the two performers created a showcase for the creepier burlesque, circus, vaudeville, dance and cabaret which Melbourne had to offer.
“The success to date has been due to our unique combination of gore, horror, high theatrics and dark comedy,” says Miss Nic. “We’ll continue to push boundaries as much as we can and evolve within these themes to ensure we’re presenting exciting, new and most of all horrific performances that leave our audiences feeling captivated.”
Gorelesque generally features throwbacks to cult horror cinema, B-grade film and grindhouse greats. This year will be no different, with the Gorelesque Feature Presentation being aimed squarely at getting audiences in the mood for girls and gore. “I believe Gorelesque was at the forefront of bringing the ghouls and zombies into the burlesque culture,” states Miss Nic. “As long as the art form keeps evolving, the burlesque boom will continue. The general public is always looking for something new and different and with the performers we have in Gorelesque…well, they’re some of Australia’s edgiest leading performers.”
So, what’s new this year? “We will be at a fabulous new venue at Revolt Artspace in Kensington. We never repeat performances – every year we proudly showcase new acts. To be a part of Gorelesque, we require originality. We take on a mix of new performers and established professionals.” A rarity in the industry, Gorelesque features an open application process. “We start the callout for applicants midyear. Those who are interested should check out our Facebook page.”
Jen and Sylvia Soska are Canadian twins and film directors who have created such violent and visceral horror films as Dead Hooker in a Trunk and American Mary, joining Gorelesque in 2012 as The Soska Sisters. Other new additions to this year’s lineup are the reigning queen of burlesque Imogen Kelly, and another international burlesque star Emily Badsville from Canada. “This is one of our strongest lineups to date,” says Miss Nic. “We’re so excited to unleash our monster in Melbourne!”
Other performers include international performer Tank, Sydney’s Betty Grumble and Renny Kodgers, the comedian and magician Anthony De Masi, Kerry X, Betty Blood, Pippy Scream, Nemesis Diva, the Gorehound Go-Go Girls, and of course Miss Nic and Vesper White themselves. If you’re thinking of heading along, be sure to smarten up, as there’ll be a best-dressed competition to crown the Gorehound King and Queen.
BY JOSH FERGEUS
