Snow Joke…

When it snows in the UK, the world seems to stop. It’s always baffled me; as the daughter of a Canuck I’ve always been told ‘that’s not snow… let me tell you about SNOWWWW’ so this little puff of white shouldn’t cause so much trouble.

But it has and my; this fortnight it really did!

First up, Frayed Knot had a local show five minutes from our house in Newcastle, La Maison du Peche at The People’s Theatre. This was AMAZING for us, no travel issues no dragging kit everywhere and no worries about getting there on time. Even with the snow we could plodge on through and happily a friend drove the jar & pole to the theatre anyway yay!

It’s a theatre I have very fond memories of, having performed here as a little kid and it was wonderful to be working with a great tech team who are really passionate about making everything work. The show whilst affected in attendance numbers by the weather was an absolute belter and it was fantastic to meet local artists who we usually don’t get to work with. Constance Peach and Mark Pinder have a lovely show on their hands and it was really nice to be part of the first one.

The foyer contained some great stalls and I finally got to meet the wonderous ladies of Tiki Tearaway hair flower boutique. Ever since recieving a hand delivered hair flower when I was in a tight squeeze and needed a flower for a shoot THAT day, I’ve had a hugely soft special spot for them. Their products are adorable and I’m especially in love with their Christmas range. It’s also absolutely wicked to see a local company have such passion for the scene and to be so supportive. Ahh I lurrve them, go visit them; go now, buy stuff for secret santas moms, sisters, people on the street…goooooo!

Sadly I had hoped to perform my new number but wasn’t well enough so the serpentine on a raked stage was order of the day followed by Edd and I’s whip act. Brilliantly, the flower once whipped out of my mouth landed in the lap of the wonderful Meg La Mania who then later took us home for rum & eventual sleep! This was actually pre-planned, not a result of the flower’s trajectory, we don’t make a habit of going home with whoever caught the flower. Maybe we should.

Performing my serpentine at Maison

We ended up staying with Meg and The Steve as the snow was a little ridiculous and well, they had rum and we didn’t. Also we love them. Poor Edd had to shoot off early for his audition rehearsals and I started packing the house for our move later this month. Oh the Glamour…

Following Maison du Peche; I do have to mention I’ve fallen a little bit in love with a maid called Betta and I was delighted to see her again last night at The Coquette Collective Xmas Golden Garter in Sunderland. Originally this was Edd’s event with me making an appearence for the double act BUT following the snow and an audition, Edd was caught up in Amsterdam stuck on a flight that didn’t move for 6 hours. Since he couldn’t actually contact me during this, I’d presumed he wasn’t going to make it and jumped onto the Metro to make it in time for the show. All credit to the folk at Golden Garter for being HUGELY patient with the changes and their understanding. Especially for making me feel so welcome backstage n’all!

I’m particularly proud that due to walking from the Metro, I decided to not bring a suitcase. Ladies and gentleman, you may be astounded to see that in this bag, I carried 3 full costumes, makeup, haircurlers (unused sadly), a bowler hat and all the kit for the whip act should Edd miraculously arrive in time. The coffee cup is there for perspective and was timely provided by the marvelous and adorable The Duke de Milo.

Tiniest Tease Plus Miracle Bag

Absolutely adored the acts, Gretchen Tice’s Noddy Holder’s Christmas Pud was a special favourite and I performed my hat and cane routine plus my veil fan charleston. Whilst I bloody loved my digital gobo stars in the background for the cane act, I really should have realised a spotlight wasn’t a good idea. Stupidly I stepped out, couldn’t see a bloody thing and ended up not doing any throws or fun hat tricks – I know only I know whats meant to be in the routine but I was disappointed in myself I must say. Again, amazing tech crew at the show, there seems to be a link here; small local theatres run by volunteers & paid staff who actually give a shit. Wow!

Brilliant display of wares in the foyer, I got to meet the very lovely Emma Taylor from Emma Taylor Corsets and fawn over her beautiful high waisted trousers. Ladies, if you’re looking for heavier weight beautiful trousers defintely check out ETC’s as they are stunning!

The beautiful Jayne from The Libertarian was also in attendance. A creator of magnificent hats and hair pieces, I’ve already eye spied a gift for my secret santa and really love the drama of Jayne’s pieces. Grab her items before she’s ultra famous as I think Jayne’s already been snapped up by one uber amazing retailer, burlesque dancers take note the lady does commissions.

Wonderfully, again I saw the brilliant girls from Tiki Tearaway, look at their wigs!!

Wigtastic! (photo Paul Wright)

Also on hand was the as always outstanding Mr Paul Wright, one of my absolute favourite photographers. I hadn’t seen Paul in about a year so it was lovely to catch up, as usual despite camera trouble, Paul has already uploaded pictures to facebook & his personal site. I really can’t recommend him enough as an event and promo photographer, he’s fantastic.

So, the show was fab, the free bubbly & mincepies made it extra wonderful and I got a lift home in the MarkPinderMobile with Constance, Trixie, Jayne and unintentionally Pedo-Bear (long long story…)

My poor Edd finally arrived in Newcastle at 9pm and came straight home to bed. After waiting six hours on the plane, he eventually took off and luckily since all flights from Schipol have been cancelled today. We have some exciting news to announce in regards to the future of Frayed Knot but I believe we’ll wait until after Christmas for that. I know I know, shurrup until you’re going to actually say something

THIS WEEK!

I’ll be preparing our studio for a shoot with my fantastico Emma Neale otherwise known as Miss Rain Photography, attending Anna Fur Laxis’ confidence on camera workshop in Leeds and meeting with the much missed Cecilia Rouge to discuss exciting plans for 2011. Oh and to eat huge amounts of food.

My sympathy to everyone stuck in airports & rail stations, what a crazy crazy week!

Much love,

Amelie x