We all know the Twenties having Jazz, Prohibition, Bathtub Gin, or if you prefer Bootleg Whiskey and Flappers amongst a few other 20's happenings. However...
It surprised us when auditioning Talent for this NYE event, a performer told us of a popular radioactive medicine and social drink in the Twenties called Radithor. Her Great Grand Dad drank it and lived a long healthy life. That's what she said. We researched saw the newspaper articles and yep it's verified.
Radithor was a radioactive tonic containing Radium in triple distilled water and marketed as "Perpetual Sunshine". On top of making you feel tip top and curing all - being radioactive people would drink it at parties, turn off the lights and glow. This is more effective than kiddie glow sticks at raves. Hence the suggested "Glowing Twenties"
Radithor was a smashing hit in the "Glowing Twenties" - until the claimed Radium overdose by the wealthy industrialist, socialite and golfer - Eben Byers. This made headlines into the Wall Street Journal under the title "The Radium Water Worked Fine Until His Jaw Came Off" resulting in the Food and Drug Administration's banning of radioactive bevies. Note Eben Byer loved his Radioactive bevies and would gulp down a bottle a day for five years. That explains why he was glowing when found. In his honour we should rename this New Year's Eve Event to "Glowing Twenties Meets Burlesque." For the love of God and all glowing people, why use a cork top on a radioactive drink?
ROARING 20'S BURLESQUE NEW YEARS'S EVE PARTY
When asked to perform a Surreal Burlesque Show at the National Gallery of Victoria, as part of the recent Dali Exhibition - House of Burlesque and the performers promised to behave. That they did including the six breasted character, we did say it was surreal. Remember if it's in a gallery it's Art.
The above stage photo courtesy of the National Gallery Of Victoria Photographic services.
Thanks for the brilliant performances by: Scandalous Scarlett born Sheree Matthews (also choreographer), Melanie Jame Walsh as Dali, Frankie Valentine as Josephine Baker, Minsky Malone (Director, costumes, and performing), Kitty Von Krumpet, Monica Palotas as Sigmund Freud and also the playwright, Kerry X playing the mermaid, Rose de Rose who also put the lights on the horns), Bunny de Lux, Mystique The Burlesque Tap Dancing Queen, She She Velour, Augusta Wonder, Pepper Lee and Sugar Daze.
A special thanks to Cindee Smith and Carol Mcleod of Fashion Incubator for their costume making and screen printing of little Dali’s on costumes. Victoria University for their great Make up work. Nadina Saifert for her art on the backdrop and the National Gallery of Victoria.
The below set of photos taken by Matt Deller, who we have inducted into the House of Burlesque Hall of Fame.
The cast of Pandora's Dolls in the above event poster from left to right are Emanate, Frankie Valentine, Ayla Mew, Melanie Jane, Minsky Malone, Bambie, Siana. Other performers include: Rose de Rose, Augusta Wonder, Poppy Cherry and Kerry X.
Special mention to Laurel Mackenzie the co-writer and production manager, Ryan Whelan from Fashion Incubator, Academy of Make up, Minsky Malone: co-writer, creative director and costume maker. And finally Alex Murray who on top of filming the event, turned the written story into flowing poetry.
2005/2006 "Circus Burlesque" following photographs taken by Matt Deller.
