Catch up with Olive Allure - Building your burlesque persona
“If you don’t have anything nice to say, come and sit with Olive.
She is dark, salty, and will break your tooth if you are unlucky.
She enjoys long baths in fine vodka, and isn’t afraid to get dirty.
She might be an acquired taste. Because not everybody likes olives - but don’t worry, she doesn’t like you either.”
Photo by Sassy Boudoir
This is kind of my part three in my series, catching up with performers who have been involved in the Act Development Course. Not a newbie to the stage by any means, Olive Allure, stuck her hand up to be involved.
And I was quietly pumped because - as it’s always easier to do on the outside - I could see her at this impasse in her performing and how she was starting to make this awesome discovery journey to really think about herself as a performer and what her unique brand of burlesque is. And something that has definitely evolved from the first time I saw her onstage.
I found it interesting to hear that it took Olive a little while to journey into burlesque - because she is such a damn natural. She said that “… many moons ago, a good friend told me i should get involved with burlesque. I flat out rejected the idea because I held misconceptions about the objectification of women for the male gaze. It took ten years before i showed up to my first burlesque class and I realised how wrong I was.:
There is something about Olive that is definitely that X factor and stage presence kind of thing - you know that annoying thing that money and practice can help, but can’t buy.
She admits herself that she is an “ all in, foot to the floor, balls to the wall type of woman. I knew straight up that I wanted the costumes, the rhinestones, and the feathers.” Definitely a natural to the stage. And someone that is a joy to watch as a soloist, but also someone that is great performing in groups. We’ve definitely missed her in our regular classes this year!
“I love being a Cherry Daiquiri (our student performance group). There is nothing like the energy of a bunch of showgirls and a supportive audience bouncing off each other”
But I think it is great to see Olive back herself and spend some energy focusing on her performing.
“I’ve had periods where life has got in the way of being able to prioritise creativity and performing but this is a great outlet for me
Muggle life is hard, messy, and unpredictable. You can definitely pour into all of your cups, but you probably cant fill them all at the same time.
In the last five months I’ve moved states twice and changed jobs three times. Its been nice to have this show to look forward to as a strange piece of normality in my world but its been a challenge to prioritise.”
I think Olive has definitely the best attitude to performing - “It’s only embarrassing if you’re embarrassed” is her philosophy. And she has said that this time around she has been able to do a lot of other work behind the scenes
” This is definitely the most effort I’ve put into costuming. I attended a workshop with Lenore Noire in Brisbane this year and learned a whole bunch of tricks of the trade that I have been able to use in preparation for this show”
See Olive Allure on stage at Burlesque Graduation Showcase
Saturday 20 November
Peacock Theatre, Salamanca Arts Centre.
Doors open 6pm | Tickets $30 - $40