Heidi Bang Tidy – Interview

I spend a lot of time being confused. Sometimes it’s about things that don’t really matter (Should I start wearing cravats to work? Where do you buy cravats? Do I have any clothes that go with cravats?), sometimes it’s more important (If someone wants to wear something because of religious reasons that’s totally cool…but what if it’s not religious but a symbol of female oppression, that’s not so cool?) I think it’s because I try to be one of those people who’re generally open to most ideas and opinions as long as they don’t impinge on someone else’s freedom (i.e. fascism = no thanks, fairies exist = hmm, tell me more…) It’s a pretty nice way to live a life, although trying to see things from all angles does mean I spend a lot of time sitting on fences with a dazed expression on my face.

My recent piece about the roller derby is a pretty good example of how my brain works and as if I wasn’t befuddled enough already I recently had the opportunity to look at an even more complex topic (Thanks Phil!) – Burlesque. Now, I can imagine that for some people reading this burlesque isn’t exactly the most pressing issue of our time. It is however a rather fascinating one.

I’ve mentioned before that I consider myself to be pretty “right on” when it comes to issues like feminism (can a man ever truly be considered a feminist though…wait, stay on topic). For me freedom and equality for all are beliefs that, if you don’t subscribe to them, probably means we won’t be BFFs. So where does burlesque sit with this? Is it just another exploitation of the female form – albeit more theatrical – or is it actually a showcase for confident, powerful individuals who, comfortable in their own body, defy (in some cases) conventional notions of what beauty and sexiness are? Alternatively, by bringing it back to the body and mentioning sex so early on in the piece am I just missing the point altogether?

I’d never get anywhere by myself so it’s fortunate that burlesque performer Heidi Bang Tidy was happy to give up some time to speak to me. First off I wondered how someone gets into Burlesque in the first place.

Heidi: “I’ve been working in Burlesque for coming up to two years but I’ve always been a performer – I studied Performing Arts at University and spent some time working as an actor after I graduated. As often happens, life kind of got in the way of me pursuing my dream to be a performer. I spent ten years working behind the scenes, running my own Event Management Company and freelancing as an Arts Marketing consultant, and I hadn’t been on stage (apart from the odd bit of karaoke) for about fifteen years when I found myself in the audience at a Burlesque show. A boyfriend had bought me tickets because I had developed a bit of an obsession for Dita Von Tease and I was intrigued to see what happened at a Burlesque show. From the moment the show started I was captivated – THIS way my kind of entertainment: over the top costumes, bawdy jokes, rhinestones and feathers and fabulous live music. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting but this eclectic mix of classic vaudeville, slapstick and strip tease was just so fabulous – I was hooked. I came away from that show thinking ‘I must do this!’ I didn’t really know where to start but fortunately I found out that Lady Wildflower was running classes in my home town, so I enrolled and off I went. I was so nervous – I hadn’t performed for such a long time and I genuinely doubted my abilities as a performer. That night changed my life and I’ve never looked back. Six months later I made my debut in Hebden Bridge and I was off. There was no stopping me. 2 years later I am a full time Burlesque performer and promoter. I perform up and down the country, Co-Produce Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival, and I now run Bang Tidy Burlesque at the New Bradford Playhouse. 

The Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival is a great example of how Burlesque can divide people’s opinions. While the 2013 festival went ahead with no issues the planned 2014 event came swiftly under fire.

Heidi: “We ran the first ever Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival in May 2013 and it was a huge success – we sold out all our live events three weeks before the Festival and the feedback was incredible. For the 2014 Festival we approached Hebden Bridge Picture House, which is often used for live events, with a view to staging an event in their 400 seat venue for the 2014 Festival. To our surprise our request was refused – we received a letter from The Picture House Committee informing us that they did not deem Burlesque to be an “appropriate” use of a Council-owned building as some people felt that – as an art form – Burlesque is “demeaning to women”. We were furious – this is a venue that regularly stages adult content films and live comedy and we knew that the Committee were wrong to try to prevent us from using a venue that we pay for with our Council Tax for a private, ticketed event. So, we fought the decision. The story was picked up by the national press and TV and we found ourselves in the middle of a media storm. For us, this was about fighting against the prejudice of people who know little about our art form. After much campaigning and a petition numbering over 1200 signatures, Hebden Royd Town Council took a vote to overturn the decision of the Picture House Committee as they had no procedure in place to prevent us from hiring the venue. Plans for the 2014 Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival are well underway.”

Heidi brings up some great points that extend into whole new realm of conversation. In this instance the council decided that burlesque was demeaning to women (who on the council decided? Are they experts in this field? Will we end up with some county’s where Burlesque is demeaning and others where it’s not?). But since when did demeaning entertainment warrant a refusal of this type? Offensive entertainment certainly, but demeaning? The world is full of films, books and music which could certainly be considered more demeaning to women than burlesque and yet they get a free ride. Perhaps it’s the sexual connotations that caused such a fuss? Burlesque has often been referred as simply pole dancing for the middle class. I asked for Heidi’s thoughts on that.

Heidi: The first thing I’d say is that if you’re the kind of person who thinks that there’s something wrong with pole dancing or who is the kind of person who uses someone’s class as a measure of them as a person, then I doubt we’re going to get on. Somehow people seem to think that by calling us “posh strippers” they are insulting us, I – for one – have no problem with the label “stripper”  after all, I (sometimes) take off (some of) my clothes off on stage. That said, a strip club experience is a million miles away from what happens at a Burlesque show.

Burlesque shows include variety performers – clowns, magicians, singers, hoopers, aerial artists, comedians, fire eaters and strip tease artists. Strip tease artists on Burlesque stages are never fully naked – most of us strip to our underwear and pasties (decorative nipple covers). What’s more, Burlesque performers are paid by the show promoter – we don’t like it if you try to stuff fivers in our knickers.

A Burlesque show is a theatre show – a visit to a strip club is classed as a sexual encounter. The other big difference is the makeup of the audience – 86% of the audience for Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival were women and it’s rare to see stag dos at Burlesque events. For me personally, it’s important to differentiate between the two in terms of making sure that those who have never been to a Burlesque show know what to expect. But I have no problem with strip clubs or strippers. It’s not what I do but I don’t think it’s anyone’s place to tell women what they can and can’t do with their own time and bodies. And anyone who tries to tell me that what I do is anti-feminist had better be ready for a proper grown up conversation about what feminism REALLY is – if you call yourself a feminist and then spend your time judging other women for their life choices, perhaps you need to reconsider your choice of label.

As always it seems that it all boils down to individual opinion but what I would say is that if you believe that burlesque is demeaning then the notion of banning someone from performing and demanding they conform to your opinion is even worse. Especially if you have no idea of burlesque is.

Heidi: For me, Burlesque is about entertainment – everything else comes second. In Burlesque I have found a fabulously creative art form, run, performed and enjoyed predominantly by women who find joy in being themselves and make no apology for being strong and sexy. If you asked 100 Burlesque performers “what is burlesque” you’d get 100 different answers. As a Burlesque performer, I have lost count of the number of conversations I’ve had with people about exploitation, objectification, freedom, empowerment and feminism. I probably have a book in me but right now I’m having too much fun to sit down and write it!

“For anyone who has never seen a Burlesque show I’d say this: Burlesque as an art form is deeply rooted in a long tradition of variety and vaudeville – if you’re expecting back to back blondes with big boobs in tiny pants you’re going to be surprised – Burlesque performers come in all shapes and sizes, genders, ethnicities and from every performance background you could imagine. If enjoy being surprised and thrilled by the buzz of a live show and you’re not offended by strong men and women who are comfortable in their own skin and know how to entertain a crowd, come and see a show. If it’s not for you, you’ll know in the first five minutes – go to the Box Office and ask for your money back. But if you’re ready for a truly unique experience where you really can let your hair down and laugh until you cry, I’ll see you at The New Bradford Playhouse very soon ;)”

You can make up your mind by popping along to see Heidi Bang Tidy perform (along with many others!) and it’s pretty easy to do so given Heidi’s phenomenal work ethic! You can catch her:

This Friday – Bang Tidy’s Birthday Bash – New Bradford Playhouse  http://www.bangtidyburlesque.co.uk/ourshop

Sat 23 Nov – Bang Tidy Does Otley Courthouse http://www.otleycourthouse.org.uk/whats-on/event/?id=842

Friday 25 Oct – Bang Tidy’s Halloween Spooktacular – New Bradford Playhouse with special guest Joe Black. www.bangtidyburlesque.co.uk

Sun 1 Dec – Champagne and Showgirls – The Venue, Barkisland, Near Halifax – with WINNER of Miss Exotic World Queen of Burlesque Competition, Las Vegas LOULOU D’VIL (Helsinki), WINNER Best Debut Vegas Hall of Fame Weekend LADA REDSTAR (Berlin) and British Burlesque sensation VICKY BUTTERFLY www.yorkshireburlesque.co.uk

Sat 14 Dec – Bang Tidy’s Christmas Cracker – New Bradford Playhouse www.bangtidyburlesque.co.uk