Last night’s London Burlesque Festival opening was a glamorous affair attended by media, the general public and stars of the UK and international burlesque stage.

The sumptuous Café de Paris is a great venue for this sort of event and the evening got off to a saucy start with, quite appropriately, a lingerie fashion parade. Announced by Bond Girl burlesquer Agent Lynch, the retro-styled Bettie Page collection by festival sponsor Secrets In Lace was modelled by a series of burlesque beauties.

Next up was the Red Carpet Rollout – where the festival’s top performers were introduced by the husky-voiced host, Ivy Paige. It was a nice touch and a tantalising taste of things to come. Despite the volcano situation, this year’s festival will feature artists from Antwerp to Australia, New York to NZ and, of course, the best of British burlesquers (including Visit London-featured Kiki Kaboom).

Impressive acts in the first half included festival organiser Beeby Rose from Amsterdam, who fluttered our feathers with her red and gold parrot. Then there was Bristol lass Bettie Bottom Dollar, whose Charlie Chaplin burlesque was my favourite act of the evening. We also had some fire eating, or rather fire licking, and unzipping (!) from hot Italian Miss Honey Lulu.

Part two featured a swing dance strip by Missy Fatale and Ben from Swingcopation. And there was Equador the Wizard‘s magic boylesque with a Queen soundtrack, plus Perth trio Sugar Blue Burlesque with their “cherry mambo”… cherry ripe!

It’s only just begun and I can’t wait for the rest of the delights in store as London Burlesque Festival week continues.