This week we’ve got an exclusive interview with one of Northern Ireland’s fastest rising Burlesque stars and semi-finalist of Miss Burlesque Ireland, Miss Dina Bon Coup. The first ever Northern Irish contestant in the contest, we’ll be cheering Dina the diva on at the semi-finals this weekend.
When and how did you first become a Burlesque Performer?
After years of admiring burlesque from afar, it all just called to me, the costumes, the personality, the positive body image, I decided to take the plunge in November 2014. After a little encouragement from Soup DuJour, my now burlesque mama , I entered the Belfast Burlesque Festival Newcomer Night. I was so incredibly nervous, but hearing that cheer from the audience gives a feeling like nothing else so I was hooked. Also winning the Audiences Favourite of the night added a little fuel to this fire.
How did you come up with your name, and how important do you think a performer’s name is?
This was hard! Well Dina was easy, an old friend had called me Dino as a pet name, so that just changed to keep it feminine. Then there was a lot of research with friends, ridiculous ideas and scribbles. I came across ‘etrê un Bon Coup’ which is a French for a good hit, but more importantly a little cheeky slang for being good in bed. I thought it rolled off the tongue, sounded fun, plus the added tease of few people locally knowing directly what it referenced. It felt true to me.
You’re performance name is so important! It gives people an idea what to expect from you. For example, ‘Soup DuJour’ is going to bring you comedy, ‘Vixyn VonTrix’ has literally got a bag full of tricks, when splits and bends and spins!
Do you have a particular style that you base your persona and routine around?
I’ve always loved old Hollywood movies, (Gentlemen prefer Blondes, Dial M for Murder, Funny Face) not only for the glamour, but also the hilarious over acting. Grace Kelly’s faints, Jane Russell’s eye rolls and Marilyn’s over flowing sex appeal, are all little aspects I like to try to include. Along with a dash of contemporary edge and pinch of comedy. I guess I mostly fall into the ‘cheesecake’ category of burlesque.
You must be extremely confident, how do you prepare yourself for a show?
Confidence is often assumed of Burlesque Performers, but really it’s a good bit of faking it til you’re making it. I’ve learned to love my body, and while its still a battle and I have to fight those emotions when I’m not feeling my best, what I’ve learned most is I don’t need the ‘perfect body’ I have the perfect body for me! And the great thing about this industry is all bodies are accepted and praised.
Preparing for a show, well for a new routine can be months and months of work. I make all my own costumes which is very time consuming but very rewarding. Especially wearing something that you know nobody else had. The glitzy costumes also help get into character! Then there’s the rehearsals, the bruises, the panic at not finding your stockings without holes, oh and the body tape in places you couldn’t imagine. On the night it’s a case of relaxing, feeling confident that you know your routine, and doing your best!
What’s the best event that you’ve performed at and why?
The festival scene in Ireland is growing, Dublin, Galway and Belfast burlesque festivals are already attracting talent from around the world despite being in their early years. Seeing the high standards of these performers both home grown and international has been such an eye opener for me, pushing me to do better. It’s been a privilege not only getting to see this performers, but do workshops with them, and share dressing rooms. All this hard work is down to our very own performers and producers and put their own time, effort and money into these events such as last years Miss Burlesque Dublin Shir Madness, and of course Soup DuJour.
Can you tell us a bit about the Miss Burlesque Ireland competition and what it involves?
The competition will be held in the Tivoli theatre in Dublin, while the event is in its third year, this is the first year to include a Semi Final which is on the 28th May, all of which is down to the very hard work of Producer and performer Azaria Starfire!
There are 13 ladies at the semi final, competing for a place in the final and ultimately the glittering crown! This consists of three rounds, first being the gown parade. In true pageant style the audience will hear about each performer while they parade in red carpet-esque gowns, aiming to show the judges a sense of you!
Next up is the classical round, think feather fans, bumps and grinds and corsets. There are strict guidelines about the music choices and the key moves that the judges will be looking for.
Finally the Neo round, contemporary music, storylines and a lot more mystery. Performers will be pushing boundaries in this round, there could be gore, there could be emotions, without giving too much away I’m performing a twist on an old Disney classic.
Once the judges scores are added up the top five will go through to the finals, with an added bonus of the audiences favourite also going through to final. The final, held in July, consists of the same three rounds and an added round of the ‘unique’ no rules, no guidelines, just each performers individual interpretation of burlesque, in the past there’s been Ariels, hula hoops, fire. It really is the defining round!
The competition has been a chance for me to challenge myself as a performer, creating new routines around structures and often outside of my comfort zones really has been a great way to see what I’m capable of!
What do you think of the Northern Irish vs Irish Burlesque scene? Do they differ?
I think the South has a slight edge on the North as its bigger, and as such there’s always a few more events going on. However the North and South community’s definitely work together a lot. I’ve come to know some of the girls pretty well. We recommend each other for shows, hang out after, offer sofas to crash on. So I never really view it as very different scenes as they over lap so often, and there’s so much love and support for each other!
How does it feel being the first ever Northern Irish contestant?
It feels great, there’s such a wide range of alternative talent in Belfast, so it feels great to represent our little city in a positive and unique way. I’m also hoping it encourages some more growth of the burlesque community here. In the last year alone there has been a lot more interest of people wanting to perform so it would be great if my place in the competition encouraged people to take that step towards it!
Who should we be looking out for?
Well I can only speak about what I know or have seen of the ladies. I know there’s so much talent and all the ladies are so different. Santina Spitfire is very much a pro and possibly the most experienced of all the performers this year, she never disappoints. Scarlett Von Tassel has all the right bump and grind moves! Both FiFi LaRoux and Flaming Jade are very multi talented, creative and polished. They often use their hidden talents in their burlesque routines. Valkyrie Von Storm has beautiful body control. Bonnie Boux is fast becoming quite the powerhouse in Waterford. And La Petit Mort is a pole dancing firecracker! I haven’t seen all of the girls but theyre sure to bring very much more talent!
And well of course you’ll have to look out this little peroxide pleaser, trying to tassel twirl her way to the top!
