By: Crimson Cookie

CC: What was it like being apart of 'House of Burlesque'? What would you say is your most unique moment while involved with the group?

FV: I really enjoyed the characters i played when i was performing with the House Of Burlesque and met some wonderful performers, including Lux St. Sin who recently did The Jitterbug Club with The Snake Oil Merchants And myself. My most enjoyable moment with the HOB would have to be playing the toy
soldier for the fringe festival. I really enjoyed developing that character and the performance, it was quite aggresive but really funny, a lot of fun to play with.

CC: You've been closely involved with Mojo Juju and The Snake Oil Merchants. What is it like performing with the band?

FV: The band is incredible, to be a part of that is an amazing experience. Mojo's has such an incredible creative vision, the shows that she puts on sum up everything i love about performing.  They completely transport you to another time and place, there is so much atmosphere and intense energy. They are the kind of shows that i want to go and see and you just can't find it these days, to be involved in that process and performance is fantastic . They are a really great group of people and all the performers she chooses to bring on board are great and i have a lot of respect for, Lillian Starr for one is an incredible performer and just gets what it's about, for me anyway, the
humour, the drama, the beauty...burlesque. To be able to work alongside these people makes is inspirational.

CC: You have an extensive fashion background. What inspired you to move into the burlesque scene from fashion?

FV: Costume. When i first started performing i was still concentrating more on fashion but wasn't very happy doing it. When i started performing i started making all my own costumes and was reminded of the reasons i began designing, pattern cutting and sewing in the first place. I love making one off pieces, things that are unique and i can be completely hands on with throughout from start to finish. The process of trade sketching and passing on to be mass produced was not exciting, and i'm a terrible sales woman. So burlesque actually led me back to what i love doing, costume, and that's what i'm focusing on now.

CC: To be as highly talented as yourself and make burlesque costumes too, is a double (if not triple) threat. Do you sell your costumes to perspective buyers?

FV: ha ha.... I'm not threatening! I do yes. I have not had a lot of time to take on freelance work this year tough. I have been lucky enough to work at The Malthouse with Amanda Carr who is an amazing head of wardrobe and has taught me so much. Between that and working on the Jitterbug Club with Mojo Juju, making all the showgirl costumes and touring i've been swamped.  But yes, i do custom made costume to prospective buyers.

CC: Have your acts changed dramatically since becoming part of Bad Ladies?

FV: Defintaely. I'm a lot more confident as a performer and clear on what i like and what i want to portray. My characters are a lot more developed, and of course the costumes more elaborate.

CC: Bootleg at Red Bennies is going to be an amazing show full of bands and burlesque. Can you give us a little taste of what you may be performing on the night?

FV: Hmmmm, well i don't want to give away too much, but i promise it will damn funny and entertaining.

Frankie Valentine will be performing in the Bootleg show on Nov 26th at Red Bennies.