Burlesque night at The Wet Spot Review

After enjoying the charms of Deadly Nightshade and Sukki Singapora at the Alternative & Burlesque Fair in Sheffield, I decided to investigate the world of burlesque a degree further and visited The Wet Spot which is a burlesque night held at The Wardrobe in Leeds.

Ryvita Von Cheese
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There are three options for entry; you can opt for standing at £12, seating for £13.50 or a table for £15. I opted for the latter, given that I’m important.

As with many events that one will go to without knowing exactly what will happen, I had an expectation of what to find at The Wet Spot. Mine was a scene similar to the Bongo Bongo nightclub in The Mask with Jim Carrey. That is to say half a dozen tables with two or three people sat around it. In actual fact, you can’t be shy here. The tables seat six with only bar stools as the seating and it gets very cosy.

I did get nearer to the stage for my premium, though, so if you like to be in the action, then a table is a must have. Just ensure you have a friendly demeanour and no qualms about personal space.

The venue opens at 7.45, with the acts starting at 9pm. I picked up my entry tickets for my guest – the exquisite Countess Cu Von Zingiber – and I at 7pm from The Wardrobe entrance before heading for the bar next door (which is in fact part of The Wardrobe). Feeling somewhat peckish we went for some food and both had the 14oz steak. It was cooked to perfection and served on trendy wooden boards. The chunky chips were delicious and arrived in an amusing fast food carton. Hanging on the edge of the table was a pail filled with sauces and brown bottles, like something from an alchemists laboratory, filled with hot sauce. The meal was modestly priced and if you’re the designated driver, they offer free refills on cola – which is nice.

Once inside The Wet Spot, we made our way downstairs and were greeted by some lovely ladies in red dresses. We were shown to the table and took our seats after getting drinks from the bar.

Ryvita Von Cheese is the organiser of the night and a wonderful compére. She had us laughing and whooping in preparation for the performances. After being welcomed by Ryvita, the acts began. The night we visited featured Beau Rocks, Mysti Vine, Honey Wilde and a personal favourite of mine; Scarlett Daggers. There was also cabaret by Des O’Connor.

Scarlett Daggers 1
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Scarlett Daggers 2
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Scarlett Daggers 3
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Beau Rocks 1
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Beau Rocks 2
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Used with permission

The dancing was great fun, the music a mixture of vintage and modern day. You don’t have to be a vintage lover to enjoy burlesque, just have an open mind in case they pick you out to be part of the tease.

One point to make is to not go into the night expecting a Dita Von Teese performance. There’s no giant champagne glass or Boa Constrictor.

It’s all jolly good fun with plenty of laughs and some wonderful audience interaction from the girls while they perform.

steampunkjournal.org Highly Recommended award If you think of the old fashioned British seaside saucy postcards that featured busty girls, ogling men and messages that were laden with innuendo, then this is the burlesque version of that. It’s light-hearted, tongue in cheek and best of all; bloody good fun.