It’s not often you can expect to see a sword swallower, showgirl and snake charmer on your Saturday night out in Cambridge, but for Neon Moon, this element of glamour and surprise is what it’s all about.
Ruby Truelove is the group’s director, and one half of the international burlesque and pin-up duo Cherry and Ruby. She describes Neon Moon’s cabaret shows as “Feasts of the imagination where, as a guest, you are invited to explore and interact with carnivalesque characters, magicians, sword swallowers and showgirls. Our aim is to thrill, surprise and delight our guests with glorious feats of illusion, trickery and showmanship, with a surprise around every corner.”
Next up for Neon Moon is a lavish Valentine’s Day ball at the stately Anstey Hall. But firstly…
Q: How did Neon Moon come about?
A: I first became involved in the burlesque and cabaret scene in 2008 as a resident performer and member of the original Salon Rouge creative team. My background is in film-making, and I trained in fine art, and was inspired to create The Neon Moon Burlesque and Cabaret Club through a combined love of burlesque and all things vintage, and a desire to embrace my roots as an artist and producer. My aim has always been to create immersive and interactive experiences that draw the audience in to a place where they can be involved in something extraordinary, beautiful and unusual.
Q: Why do you think burlesque has become so popular?
A: Especially in this climate of austerity, I think people love the escapism, empowerment, sensuality and tongue-in-cheek humour of a good burlesque show. There is nothing like good old knees-up entertainment teamed with a show packed full of eclectic entertainers with real skill, electric stage presence and realistic bodies – of both the male and the female performers!
“Someone tried to steal our knickers once…”
Q: What do your family think? Is there an elderly auntie who still doesn’t quite get what you do?
A: I come from a very supportive family with a heritage of strong women. If anything, it might be the uncles who don’t get what I do rather than the aunties!
Q: Has anyone ever stepped over the line at a show?
A: Our Neon Moon guests are wonderful, polite people. As a performer the rudest thing that you can experience is the audience talking loudly over your act. An extremely inebriated audience member also tried to steal our knickers once…
Q: Do you have male performers in Neon Moon too?
A: Yes! Bendini is a brilliant Cambridge-based contortionist, sword swallower and all-round anatomical wonder, who is also involved in Cambridge Community Circus, and we are also proud to introduce Mick Montagne at our Valentine’s Ball, spinning his cowboy ‘boylesque’ striptease magic – with a twist!
Q: Your costumes are always beautiful – do you come up with them yourselves?
A: Our costumes are devised, researched and made by ourselves. Each item contains originally sourced vintage fabrics nestled in with car boot finds, Swarovski crystals and a tiny drop of blood, sweat and tears!
Q: You must put a lot of trust in your costumes – are you ever afraid you’ll lose a tassel at a crucial moment?
A: If you are happy to appear almost nude on stage I think you need to be able to embrace the fact that you may well be completely nude by accident! Saying that, we do use incredibly strong tape to glue the tiniest parts of our costumes in place.
Q: Have you ever had a wardrobe malfunction yourself?
A: Yes, I lost my hair on stage once. It was awful.
Q: What does the future look like for Neon Moon?
A: 2014 is set to be the most exciting year for us yet. We will be bringing you four exclusive alternative ball events at Anstey Hall in Trumpington. Our ‘Gourmet Cabaret’ Supper Club at the wonderful Michelin-acclaimed Willow Tree pub in Bourn will continue with great aplomb and we also have shows planned in a beautiful restoration theatre, at several festivals and in an enchanted woodland, so watch this space!
