Over the last couple of months I've been avidly following the developments of The Gentry de Paris Review. Not just any Review, but a Grand Review being staged at the Casino de Paris, one of Paris' legendary music hall venues with a history dating back to the 18th century. The finest cabaret artists have performed their including my design muse for AW09 - Josephine Baker.
The Gentry de Paris review is a two hour extravaganza featuring 35 performers taking part in 18 tableaux. Unlike the usual music hall show, there is a narrative and you will be taken through the cobbled streets of Paris, to a ritzy night club and on to the circus before heading into the blue sky. From the picture you might have guessed that the feature star is Dita Von Teese who will be bringing her new Opium Den number to the show. It's nice to see that there are a couple of English burlesque stars in the show: Millicent Binks (who has frequently modelled for What Katie Did) and Warren Speed (a scoundrel from Newcastle infamous for his chav boylesque routine).
I'm sure you can see why I was quite excited about the show! The only obstacle was that although I am in Paris on the day it opens, I have to return that evening. Disaster! Luck must be with me at the moment as a couple of weeks ago Gentry (yes, there is a Gentry behind the Gentry de Paris, just as there is a Katie behind the What Katie Did) telephoned me requesting a couple of corsets for the show. Not for Dita of course, but for the lovely Millicent Binks, who's petite curves were made for What Katie Did Corsets. Gentry asked me if I was around on the opening night and when I said I wasn't as I was leaving that day she asked me if I would like to come to the dress rehearsal the evening before. I held my breath and said quietly that I might just be able to fit it in...
The Gentry de Paris Review takes place between 7th and 17th September at the Casino de Paris, Paris, France. Thank goodness for Eurostar, that's all I can say!
