We're a Colchester Burlesque troupe of local ladies. We shimmy our tassels and whip up our skirts!
About Us
We are a troupe of four Colchester ladies who decided to stick on the tassels and take to the stage. Founded in March 2012, we are:
- Miss Scarlet Lovealot
- Holly High Heels
- Fanny Darling
- Mademoiselle Emmanuelle
Helles Belles Burlesque are available for events, festivals and hen parties. Miss Fanny Darling from the troupe also hosts nipple tassel and fascinator making workshops. Visit her facebook page Tassel Tasstic with Miss Fanny Darling for more details. Want to book us? Contact us for more details.
"Holly High Heels, Fanny Darling, Mademoiselle Emmanuelle and Miss Scarlet Lovealot have quite a following in Colchester, as well as taking the international LOVE language of burlesque outside of Britain’s Oldest Recorded."
~ Colchester Chronicle
"...the girls differing styles, body shapes and personalities brought different feels to each of their performances- and what was wonderful that none of the girls outdid each other but all complemented each other to bring a fantastic and entertaining show."
~ Lesley's Girls Vintage
"You girls were brilliant, I love how your different personalities come through in your performances."
~ Niki Dedham Bell
Photo: Neil Lewis, Behind Burlesque, 2012
Video
Next Event
Great Gatsby Bar Night
Saturday 15 June @ Tea & Sympathy, 113 Crouch Street, CO3 3HA
8pm - midnight
£5 from the shop
Our favourite vintage shop and tea den Tea & Sympathy is hosting a night for all the Sheiks and Shebas, a Gatsby inspired decadent bar night.
We will be performing our very best 1920s, art deco inspired burlesque. You are invited to wear silk and feathers and to entice you there will be a selection of Jam Jar Cocktails. Music from that live wire, DJ Fettdog. Plus many other live performances and curiosities to discover in our labyrinth of rooms.
Fling Festival
Saturday 6 July @ Central Park, Chelmsford
12 noon - 11pm
Tickets from 12.30 here
We are very pleased to announce we will be performing in the Circus & Burlesque tent for the Fling Festival. The Fling offers an intriguing alternative to the usual night out and alongside playful activities, stars a fabulous cast of professional artistes and Chelmsford talent who will explore, seduce and surprise your senses through performances, sideshows, poetry, a huge silent disco and much more.
Previous Shows
Helles Belles!
Friday 17 May @ Red Lion Hotel, 43 High Street, Colchester
The Burlesque Belles returned to host an evening of titillation and vintage tease at the historical Red Lion Hotel with new performances from each of the Belles. Red Lion Hotel is a Grade I listed building dating back to 1465. We will be took over the Parliament Restaurant with our new compare Baby Berlin. Blasting out vintage tunes from the 1920s to 50s from Miss DJ Sukie. Over 70 cheeky souls joined us for cocktails (one named after each of the Belles!) and candle lit cabaret seating.
Photos
View photos by Justjaq
Press
Colchester Chronicle - Red Lion Burlesque Bonanza
Grapevine Live - Burlesque is Historic Red Lion Hotel
Colchester Circle Magazine - Happy Birthday to Helles Belles
Press Cutting from the Gazette - Burlesque is a form of escapism
The Night Circus - Bar Night
Friday 26 April @ Tea & Sympathy, 113 - 115 Crouch Street, CO3 3HA
Our favourite vintage shop and tea den Tea & Sympathy hosted their infamous Bar Night themed on the beautiful, mysterious, magical, and cabaret inspired book, The Night Circus. Miss Fanny Darling from Helles Belles Burlesque performed her spooky and alluring act 'The Crow' during the evening event alongside magicians, fire breathers, and other wonderful circus and sideshow themed acts.
Photos
View photos by Deborah Cosgrove
Press
Ducking Fabulous - Stepping into the Night Circus
Twoninethree - Le Cirque des Rêves
Adventure with words - Have you visited the Night Circus?
A Most Curious Wedding Fair
Friday 19 - Sunday 21 April @ Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London
We performed and hosted a stall at the original East London Wedding Fair. It returned with a bigger, slicker outlook and we were there for the whole weekend! The design-led fair helps creative, expressive, fashion-aware and trend loving couples unite with like-minded suppliers.
Photos
View photos by JustJaq
Press
Jess Collective - A Most Curious Wedding Fair
Unique Bride Magazine - A Most Curious Wedding Fair
Snipping from Stylist Magazine
Elle - A Most Curious Wedding Fair
The Secret Vintage Fair
Saturday 30th March @ Colchester Castle
We featured at Colchester's biggest Secret Vintage Fair on Saturday 30th March. Strutting our stuff in some of the finest threads from the towns best purveyors of retro clothes in the Fashion Catwalk. A huge crowd braved the queues and watched us at 12pm and 2pm.
Photos
View photos by JustJaq
Press
Secret Vintage Fair Blog - Castle Fashion
A most Curious Wedding Fair
Saturday 23rd March @ The Halls, Norwich
We performed at Norwich's 'A Most Curious Wedding Fair' showcasing our twirling and whirling for all the blushing brides to be. Visitors had the chance to meet the belles at our Helles Belles stall and to find out more about our performance packages and nipple tassel workshops!
Photos
View photos by JustJaq
View photos by Charlotte Powles Photography
View photos by Joe Black Photography
Press
Uniquebride Magazine - A Most Curious Wedding Fair
Kiss My Wedding - A Most Curious Wedding Fair Today!
Hanger 39's Vintage Dance
Saturday 2th March @ The Bunting Rooms, Colchester
Two of our belles, Holly High Heels and Mademoiselle Emmanuelle showcased their burlesque best at Hanger 39's Vintage Dance.There were cocktails, retro tunes and a performance from the Jonny Hepbir Trio. It was a blast from the past!
Photos
View photos by JustJaq
Press
V and Oak - Burlesque Treat on Valentine's
Colchester Chronicle - Burlesque and Valentine Beaus
Colchester Circle - Get ready for a night of burlesque
Helles Belles Jingle Belles
Saturday 22 December 2012 @ The Minories,
We got into the festive spirit with a Christmas themed show at the local art gallery, The Minories. It was our biggest event to date and ended with a bang!
Photos
View photos by JustJaq
Press
Colchester Chronicle - Burlesque and Baubles
The Colchester Scratch Night
Thursday 29th November 2012 @ Slack Space,
We hosted our first Scratch Night. It was opportunity for other local ladies (and gents) to take to the stage and showcase their fledgling acts, concepts or ideas to a supportive crowd.
Press
Colchester Chronicle - Scratching the Burlesque Itch
Event listing in the Gazette
Helles Belles Burlesque
Friday 19 October, 2012 @ Judge & Jury,
Our second night launched with a bang in the Judge & Jury basement. All new dances and a raucous crowd cheered us on!
Photos
View photos by JustJaq
Press
Colchester Chronicle - Burlesque it's back
Lesley's Girls Vintage - The Belles are back in town
Engima
Friday 28 September, 2012 @ Judge & Jury,
We were invite by Stuart to perform at Engima, Colchester’s hottest gay night for their 5th birthday alongside a burlesque themed evening.
Photos
View photos by JustJaq
The Big Bear Festival Fundraiser
Saturday 18 August, 2012 @ Judge & Jury,
Fanny Darling and Mademoiselle Emmanuelle performed for the Big Bear Festival Fundraiser, a very special festival in memory of Sam Bearman. Raising funds for Meningitis UK.
Helles Belles Burlesque
Thursday 2 August 2012 @ Judge & Jury,
Our first event! We took to the stage at the Judge and Jury to perform our brand new routines to a fantastic audience. There were two for one drink offers, vintage tunes from DJ Suki and our wonderful compare Joe Allen.
Photos
View photos by JustJaq
Press
Colchester Chronicle - Burlesque in Britians Oldest
Lesley's Girls Vintage - Helles Belles part 1
Lesley's Girls Vintage - Helles Belles part 2
V and Oak - Rapid return of Burlesque
Colchester Circle - New Night of Burlesque from the Belles
Contact
Want to book the belles? Or simply say hello?
You can contact us by email using the form below: