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.

The Brickhouse on Brick Lane in Shoreditch is a newish London venue (opened 2007) that hosts a range of comedy, cabaret and club nights.

Inside, it’s a cool, three-tier space with dining tables and a cocktail bar on the ground level, more tables and lounges on the spacious mezzanine and the quirky “bed bar” on the top floor.

I went along last night for the “comedy Tuesday” although it turned out to be more of a cabaret Tuesday, with burlesque performances from Spencer Maybe and Kiki Kaboom (both excellent) as well as an acrobatic act from Colombian artist Andre Phillipe and comedic chaos from “Katinka” the Russian (via Croydon) ballerina.

Admittedly the burlesque acts were both downright amusing and highly enjoyable – just the kind of burlesque I like: clever, cheeky acts with great “stories” and a sensual sense of fun. And the fold-down stage is a nice touch.

Unfortunately I have to report audience attendance was a little folorn – whether due to the fact it was early in the week, pouring rain or whatever. I’d recommend the venue, and the show but maybe plan your visit for a time when it’s likely to be more buzzy: Thursday-Sunday should do the trick!

Check out www.thebrickhouse.co.uk for a full list of what’s on at The Brickhouse.

You can see Kiki Kaboom in action at London Burlesque Week: 20-25 April.