The Gilded Merkin

Nottingham has had a lively little Burlesque scene bubbling away for a number of years with the likes of the Pitty Patt Club now Black Cherry Burlesque, as well as the ever popular live art school with a Burlesque twist Dr Sketchy's. You can even sign up for Burlesque classes these days, with a number of venues offering lessons and workshops in the basics of tongue-in-cheek tease.

It was only a matter of time then, before someone upped the ante, bringing big budget boudouirs and international names to rub feathers with home grown talent in a slinky showdown of burlesque tease and cheeky cabaret.

The lady behind The Gilded Merkin is one of Nottingham's own femme fatale performers 'Scarlett Daggers' who kicked off her quest for a high end show last summer with a sell out debut 'burlesque meets variety mashup' at Glee last July. They've been going quarterly since, with sell out Sunday shows attracting a vintage loving crowd to Glee's waterfront home.

This Sunday Mister Joe Black (above left), darling of the dark cabaret scene, is heading up their 1st Birthday celebrations with a tasty lineup of comedy, striptease and vaudeville performances in a proper candle lit cabaret setup.

With six professional acts on show, including Scarlett Daggers herself we have high hopes, not least from the audience, as these events attract a diverse vintage look loving crowd who are all eager to land the 'his and hers' best dressed prizes. Check back next week for our photo review!

The Gilded Merkin takes place at Glee on Sunday 11 August 2013.

The Gilded Merkin website