By Alesha Capone
Point Cook performer Laydee Bombay will take to the stage as a seductive siren during The Australian Burlesque Festival.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the festival, which will include four performances at the Wonderland Spiegeltent in Federation Square this week and a month-long national tour.
Ms Bombay said she became involved in burlesque about nine years ago, while looking for something fun and creative to do.
“I’m just a standard, everyday person and saw a flyer that said ‘Learn burlesque’,” she said.
“I gave it a go and thought, ‘This is fun, I can do this’.”
She said that of the many genres of burlesque, she enjoys the neo-burlesque style, which is a modern take on the art.
Ms Bombay said that although she does a lot of comedy-based performances, she would be changing up her act for The Australian Burlesque Festival.
“I’m leaning more towards a classic burlesque routine with fans and an ornate costume, it’s more of a seductive, siren-type role and character,” she said.
“I like the idea of projecting your five minutes of fantasy onstage, for people to escape in – you’re creating that five-minute escape and for that time, they’re totally immersed in your world.”
The Australian Burlesque Festival’s Melbourne shows will be held between Thursday, September 26 and Sunday, September 29. Tickets: www.australianburlesquefest.com/festival
