Getting to Know…The Strawberry Siren!
The Strawberry Siren is one of the fabulous new additions to our teaching staff, and we couldn’t be more honoured to have such a powerhouse as a part of the Maison Team! With 20 years in the performance industry, Strawberry’s long list of accolades and projects has cemented her as an icon in the burlesque, circus, pole and comedy scenes in Australia. Plus she’s even a qualified fitness trainer and beauty therapist! What hasn’t she done?
The Strawberry Siren grew up in the world renowned, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, touring and performing from the age of 11. She has appeared in national television commercials & drama’s, plus theatre productions & musicals. Miss Siren has also worked behind the stage, producing Cabaret shows and events such as Cabaret Cirlesque, Red Door Burlesque and Miss Burlesque Australia! She can even be found on the pages of popular Pin-Up publications and artistic projects... such as Marie Claire, Inked Magazine, Burlesque Bible, Adore Pin Up and Bachelor Pad Magazine.
Nicknamed “The Tarantino of Burlesque…. Both Sexy… And Dangerous”, Strawberry Siren received many awards and titles over her 10 years on the International Burlesque circuit. In 2013 she was crowned Miss Burlesque Australia, in front of a roaring crowd and esteemed judges, at the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne. Then in 2019 she was crowned Miss Burlesque World as part of the Miss Nude World pageant. Strawberry Siren has performed in Burlesque Festival’s all over the world. She has also headlined and featured in some amazing shows and event’s including The Australian Burlesque Festival, Big Band Burlesque at Adelaide Fringe, The Best of Burlesque at Edinburgh Fringe, the Tim Burton Australian exhibition opening, the London Burlesque Festival, Bring Back the Showgirl, SEXPO Australia and the Australian & N.Z Tattoo Expo's.
The Strawberry Siren is also known for her funny side... In 2016 she co-wrote Pussy Play Masterclass with her cousin, Rural Ranga. Together, they toured the globe teaching Wank Bank & Pussy Play Masterclasses and won awards for their comedy and curriculum.
Alongside her career in Cabaret, Comedy, Circus & Burlesque... Strawberry also graced the stages of adult venues across Australia, including 2 years as the Feature Showgirl at The Crazy Horse Revue in Adelaide. Strawberry's home club, where she spent a decade entertaining and enchanting her audiences, was the iconic Spearmint Rhino in Melbourne. Strawberry was known for her hypnotic brand of burlesque-styled tease and her classic, Vegas Showgirl costumes and theatrics.
We sat down and asked Strawberry a few key questions about her time in Burlesque:
How did you first come into the world of Burlesque? What was it that drew you to the art form?
I discovered the world of Burlesque through the pin-up world in the mid 2000's. Even though I grew up in the Circus and had been involved in the Theatre/Cabaret world since I was a kid, I hadn't come across much Striptease. The closest thing I had seen to striptease was Ursula Martinez handkerchief act, in La Clique in 2004. The 1st Burlesque show I ever went to was at SEXPO in Wellington in 2006.
My Burlesque Debut was at Red Door Burlesque's "Burlesque Quest" in 2007, run by Hi-Ball Burlesque at the Order of Melbourne. I was drawn to the artform because it looked like a fun and achievable way to get myself back on stage. I had sustained a neck injury during a circus performance in 2003 and I hadn't been able to return to circus training or performing since. Burlesque was a great platform that allowed me to be creative, use my physical skills and exercise my "performing" muscles again. For me, it wasn't so much about the striptease that drew me in, it was about expressing myself and being on stage again.
What is your favourite thing about being a burlesque performer?
The community. Being a burlesque performer over the past 15 years has allowed me to travel the world a few times over, make friends and feel a part of a community, wherever I went! Participating in Burlesque Festivals and competitions has cemented some of my longest friendships in life and has introduced me to some of my favourite people in the world.
Who are your burlesque icons?
My Top 20 are: Catherine D'Lish, Medianoche, Imogen Kelly, Perle Noir, Roxi D'lite, Foxtrot India, Kelly Ann Doll, Sarah Lea Cheesecake, Dita Von Teese, Vicky Butterfly, Dirty Martini, Tigger, Jett Adore, Evil Hatemonkey, Captain Kidd, Alyssa Kitt, Bella De Jac, Vesper White, Frankie Valentine, Lada Redstar.
If you don't know some of those names, google them! Some of them don't perform anymore, but they were amazing in their day. Youtube is a great place to watch performances by some of the burlesque greats from around the world.
What advice do you have for new and emerging performers?
Don't get caught up in what you think Burlesque "should" be.... It doesn't have to be glamorous, it doesn't have to be classic, it doesn't have to be serious. Don't lose who you are, to try and be/look like others. Be unique and be yourself.
"The Strawberry Siren Stands out with her great looks and peculiar but hypnotic brand of Burlesque tease.” Australian Stage.
Want to learn from the Strawberry Siren? Join one of these fabulous classes!
Burly Fit (Open Level) drop-in Tech Course
Stretch for $trippers (Open Level) drop-in Tech course
Vegas Vixens (Open Level) Showcase Course
Sultry Sirens (Int/Adv Level) Showcase Course
See what’s currently available and coming up on our Timetable!