Lady Wildflower

"I debuted on 13th December 2008 at The Cat's Pyjamas Burlesque at The Yardbirds club in Grimsby.

Its hard to remember all the incredible things that have happened over the last 17 years but I'll try and pick a few highlights...

The first Burlesque show I ever attended was where I also made my debut & met my burly family. It was The Cat's Pyjamas Burlesque Co-Operative in Grimsby founded by Snappy O'Shea in 2006 and ran for 10 years. I got involved in 2008 and made my Burlesque debut there that same year.

I have so many wild & wonderful memories from those years that were integral in my finding myself as a performer and as a person. I will be eternally grateful to Snappy for creating that family and starting me on this life changing journey.

Touring China for a month in 2012 with Anna Fur Laxis (someone who was a huge inspiration to me) was absolutely wild. Then, going back to Shanghai in 2016 to headline Anna's QiPow! shows at The Pearl - a 1930s Art Deco theatre- after she had established a thriving Burlesque scene there, and to teach at her Shanghai School of Burlesque was definitely a pinch-me moment.

Performing at the iconic, historical Blackpool Tower Ballroom twice and sharing a stage with Burlesque Legend, Tempest Storm, was a memory I'll never forget.

I've been fortunate to perform at lots of international festivals over the years. Some that made a lasting impression and have fond memories include Stockholm Burlesque Festival (where I competed in the Octbooberfest Tassel Twirling Championships and brought home the trophy for Best Technique.)

New York Burlesque Festival- a trip that inspired me so much and where the idea for Cabaret Against The Machine was born.

Munich Burlesque Festival and the Amsterdam Burlesque Award were Festivals where I made lifelong friends. Plus too many more to mention!

Creating Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival and watching it grow over the past 12 years has been incredible - seeing some of the world's biggest stars on my stage has been humbling. I shed so many tears when Inga headlined for us in 2022 and performed the act she had won Miss Exotic World with at the previous BHoF before lockdown. After the 2020 festival was moved online, and subsequent festivals had to be cancelled due to Covid, it felt like we had finally got through it and sitting in my full theatre in 2022, watching our Queen just felt like such a privilege and a relief. I still get emotional thinking about it.

Other huge highlights include seeing my students perform and thrive over the past 14 years. I even got to see one of them compete at BHoF this year! Mind blowing! And another one is co-producing this very festival! I could not be more proud.

My most favourite performances ever are, without a doubt, dancing with Cabaret Against The Machine in the live band shows I created with my partner of 17.5 years, Sidge Rushton. Being on stage with the love of my life whilst we both get to do our favourite thing - perform - is the best feeling in the world."