“Fred really makes the show, with his cheeky comedy, musical singalongs, and strangely cute costumes. I met Fred a few years ago in Brighton with his troupe Bearlesque! It was the first time I saw the bears, and I loved them. Luckily they loved me too and I’m almost Fred’s Goldilocks!”

More about Fred

The founding member of the all male troupe Bearlesque, he brings to the stage a quirky tounge in cheek humour, with his musical renditions of “Cabearet” and energetic jibes at the audience, he is a popular addition to any show!

His popularity knows no bounds, with his features in Bizzare Magazine, and Time Out London giving him rave reviews, he is now a firm staple on the scene.

Fred and his Bears at www.bearlesque.com

Working her way up from the Boards at Korova’s Strip Club, where she was a resident performer, her unique ideas and ever more luxurious costume making has left each routine bigger and more ambitious than the last! Spending her former years performing all over England and Ireland, she decided to go international. Since then she’s been a regular guest in Paris, San Tropz, Milan and Los Angeles.

Millie has devoted her life to professional Burlesque, from performing and modeling to making costumes, powder puff props and feather fans for herself and other performers.

Visit Millie’s Website

You and your afternoon tea?

“I drink far too much tea, but have had to lay off the cakes for a while. I was baking and eating a whole banana cake a day not too long ago, but I should take care more of what I eat!”

The art of the striptease?

“I grew up watching musicals of the 40′s and 50′s, I was drawn to the glamour of the gowns, the musical numbers, the odd hair and make up. I aspired to dance like Cyd Charisse, talk like Marylin and be as confident as Betty Grable.

For me this is something similar in style, I can be sultry onstage and silent off, I show myself through a different form in sneak peeks onstage, rather than the usual cocky confidence that irritates me about others.”

The sizzle in burlesque?

“Titillation! We can feel sexy, be overtly confident, strutting around winking at people and it’s entertainment! You can do a lot onstage that you would never do off.”

Strawberries or Lemons? Pink or Red?

“Strawberries, preferably with chocolate or in a victoria sponge! Red lipstick, with red lip glitter, and lipcote… that’s my make up tip!”

Musicals or Film Noir?

“Musicals definitely! Light hearted happy endings and only slight dramas, why can’t life be like this?”

Inspiration?

“Lili St Cyr, Catherine D’Lish, Dirty Martini and Kitten Deville in burlesque, plenty of inspiration for anyone. But elsewhere I’ve been influenced in music by Irma Thomas, the films I watched, and my mother who worked my family through a lot of hard times.”

What are you best known for?

“It used to be my powder room routine and classic fan dances, but these things – although precious to myself – popped up a lot elsewhere. After traveling to LA and seeing all the different styles there I gained some inspiration to new acts, and finally found my niche. I’d say I am probably most known for Blue Martini, and my bump and grind routines.”

What is a ‘Blue Martini’?

“A Blue Martini is a mixer of Vodka, Blue Curacao and Crème De Cacao – served as cold as possible! But it is also the title of one of my acts. In fact, it has become my signature routine and is my favourite to perform, because it means so much to me.

The routine is supported by a fantastic soundtrack of the Liverpool band Doktor Combover, who I asked if I could use it after seeing a great concert of theirs. They have also given me a lot of support and shows when I was starting out.”

Do you still make your own costumes?

“Absolutely. I am very proud of my hand made costumes and learnt a lot through trial and error. Once I have an image in my head of how it should look, it’s easier to make it a reality with my own two hands.

I do however have my corsets made to measure, as once you have one that has been fitted perfectly, it’s very hard to go back to ‘off-the-rack’. I talk over my ideas with my corset maker and she get’s exactly what I have in mind, I’ve been very lucky to find her! (Desert Orchid Corsets – in case you’d like to know)”

Have you found that the social networks you use have helped you further build the fan base of Millie Dollar and the Martini Lounge?

“I think that burlesque these days does centre a lot around social networking and the internet, it is after all a very immediate way of getting in touch with people without interrupting them! Phone calls always happen at the wrong time don’t they? While you’re eating or in the shower…!

It has helped many to launch internationally; I don’t think I would have been able to perform in all the cities and countries I have done without having an online presence. The Martini Lounge and my Facebook have subscribers from all over the world. We’ve all moved on a long way from cut-and-paste fliers, photocopied in the local newsagent!”

The Epstein Theatre (formerly called The Neptune), Hannover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DY. Find a map below.

Black Cab and Taxi

Apart from picking up one of the many Black Cabs, you can preorder a cab to conveniently pick you up in time to the show and also pick you up after the show.

We recommend preordering a taxi in the afternoon to then arrive at the venue for 7.45pm and be picked up from the venue anytime from 11.15pm.

• Delta – 0151 922 73723
• Excel – 0151 728 8888
• South Liverpool Taxis – 0151 486 7777

Note that taxi drivers may know the venue only by its former name “The Neptune”. It’s still on Hannover Street.

Local public transport

Liverpool Central is the closest Merseyrail train station. Check the Liverpool train timetables at Merseyrail’s Website.

Paradise Street is the largest bus station within 1min walking distance. Many bus routes go alongside the theatre. Check the Liverpool bus routes and timetables at Arriva’s Website.

Train

With the venue being located within easy walking distance from Lime Street Station, the train is possibly the most convenient way to travel for those from further away. Check on the last train home by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk for detailed train times and connections. The show finishes by around 11.00pm.

Alternatively the Martini Lounge offers great hotel packages:

Check out the hotel offer

Car

The closest carparks

• Q Park runs several multistory carparks, one of which has its entrance on Seel Street, Liverpool L1 4AF‎ – 0151 232 2150‎. View site
• Other car parks further up on Seel Street offer cheaper rates and may be free after 6pm

Seel Street is a one-way accessible only through Gradwell Street.

Coach

Still within walking distance to the venue is Norton Street Coach Station.

Visit www.nationalexpress.com

Fly

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a destination from many cities across Europe by the airlines Easyjet, Ryan Air and others.

Visit www.easyjet.com
Visit www.ryanair.com

The Martini Lounge offers great hotel packages for those interested in a luscious Liverpool weekend.

Map & Directions

View Larger Map

You can book your event with the Martini Lounge at any time for an upcoming date. We arrange for a special deal according to the number of people attending.

Group booking discounts are available from 10 and more guests. We can arrange for your group of guests to sit together in a dedicated section of the venue.

Hotel and our Show for Two

Get a Large Double Bedroom and two Show Tickets with our Martini Lounge Whole Weekender. Ideal for two people. Get in touch for an offer. Email us at boxoffice@martinilounge.co.uk and we arrange this for you!

More great offers are available on request: Upgrade the room to one of base2stay’s™ spacious Gallery Studios for example or stay in their Secret Garden Suite for up to four people.

You can also book additional nights and single rooms.

View the Rooms

click to zoom images

More about base2stay

The Martini Lounge has been keen to check out the hotel ever since the redevelopment of this fantastic building was revealed. base2stay™ opened in Liverpool in early 2010 with 106 rooms available and a different concept in mind. The hotel has received raving reviews from customers ever since. Being shown around personally by the enthusiastic owner we are proud to be working with such great location and people.

The hotel does not feature a bar or restaurant and encourages guests to prepare their own meals by using the kitchen facilities each room has installed or benefit from offers around the vibrant bar and restaurant culture in Liverpool City. With this concept in mind, the Martini Lounge Dinner Show complements the hotel perfectly, offering a two-course dinner in the historic surrounding of St. Georges Hall with exclusive performances.

base2stay™ Liverpool’s historic building, dating from the 1850s just like St Georges Hall, has been redeveloped, retaining many original heritage features, which have been incorporated into a modern, contemporary design.

All rooms offer spacious bathrooms, mini-kitchens and air-conditioning. A 24/7 Reception and Concierge Service is available to help guests explore all that Liverpool has to offer. Further installed is a HD-TV that accesses free Wi-Fi, music and games. 30 minutes of free local and national phone calls are also included.

www.base2stayliverpool.com

Our most valuable give-away is the ticket draw between all mailing list subscribers. In order to increase the chances, we are now giving away two pairs of tickets worth £40 each for every Martini Lounge Show!*

Once you have signed up, you will be automatically entered into the draw for all shows whilst you have subscribed.

What to do?

Simply enter your details into the Mailing List form to the right on this page. We will not give out your details to anyone – ever – and aim to keep our newsletters of interest and within a healthy frequency.

What’s more is that mailing list subscribers are able to book tickets first for each event we put on sale. We send out an exclusive newsletter including secret booking links. This way our loyal fans can book the best seats in the house.

*subject to seat availability

Many thanks to both!

Download as Wallpaper!

We offer you a glamourous way to change your personal desktop or phone for a while to a glamorous burlesque theme. To download right click on the image that best fits your screensize and select “Save as…” or “Set as desktop background…” from the menu.

Widescreen (1280px by 800px)

Standard 4:3 screen (1024px by 768px)

iPhone (320px by 480px)

Alternatively read the articles on Page 15 and Page 16 online at issuu.com, with easy zooming functions.

Alternatively read the articles on Page 24 to 26 online at issuu.com, with easy zooming functions.