And Introducing....

The bright sparks or the show-offs, the performers, the stars.

Our cast is pretty varied, and I am not going to make a huge list and make you digest it all.
No.. I think it's far more entertaining to be given small tidbits of information, and allowed to then ruminate on the possibilities, perhaps do a little research on these gems of knowledge, and then come back for more with your apetite whetted.

The first character that we have created for  Monster, as we fondly term it,  is HUgo Monster.

HUgo is our favourite blue furry guy. He's big, but a little shy, full of fun and energy, and full of bounce and tricks!
This big handsome fellow is humble and hunky, the perfect combination to make him oh so loveable *sigh*

He likes to swing from trees, leap from walls and sweep you off your feet. Need I say more?
I think we all have a little bit of a crush on HUgo Monster at the moment.

HUgo is the first of the Monsters -who are of course the stars of this show. Our monster style is what I like to term "Baroque Asian Fusion." I have taken the overall shape and lines of a traditional Chinese Lion seen here on the right.
I have always loved the shape of the huge heads on the Chinese dancing Lions, but been a little frustrated too much fluff and spangle and not enough character.

I drew up HUgo's design using similar lines to the Lions, but tying to keep him feeling more approachable. Working with the direction of Cathy Tree Harris  as our Costume mentor, I sculpted HUgo's head from dense foam, and then we covered him in sparkly velvet, fur and glitter.
On the left you can see his face shape starting to take form. It looks a little weird because there is blue felt tip all over him where I have been working out the right lines.

I can tell you that carving foam is lots of fun but SUPER SUPER messy! It is really different and a challange for me because as a jeweller I am used to carving VERY small things... like this tiny bunny that I carved in wax and then cast in bronze... its is less than 3cm tall.


HUgo's head is pretty giant... he is the largest of our monsters. It's comfy though, and stays on well. His eyes were very fun to do, and important to get right. You can see below how the fabric wraps around his eyeball, and it works really nicely to form lovely wrinkles over the eyelids.

Once we had the basic form of his face, head and horns it was great to pin fur and fabric on to see how it changed the emphasis on certain features.

His dignified mustachios were an instant keeper!
The nose is black velvet, and the mustache is a grey fun fur.

The same fur works wonderfully as eyebrows, and you can start to see his character developing.
This is where it gets VERY exciting, and we start to move quickly on deciding what fabrics go where... and play with wool and glue and glitter and paint until 3am.

Some of our heroes:

The interesting thing for me about theater is that epic battle that is pitched and won before the show even gets to the stage...and for the audience, they may never even know what miracles were wrought to bring the show to life.
I hope that this blog gives you, our happy peeping toms, a little insight into where, and how, an event like Monster Burlesque is born.
I thought I would introduce our first characters, in this behind-the-scenes drama: our production team. You might hear from these guys along the way... you know...maybe a little one-on-one... a little interview or two.

First off... yours truly.
(Oh bollox - that means I have to show myself...)

I am one of the Creative Directors of the show. Here I am at one of the other events I like to work on which is Jewels for Christmas - some of you might be interested to know that my other life is as a jeweller.
You might ask why a jeweller (someone who works in the minute end of the scale) works in theater and performance. I believe that the large scale of performance adds a balance to my work. Also, when I make jewellery, I am telling a story, I am creating something beautiful that leaves an echo for the viewer. Performing is much the same, in that it can tell a story, leave an echo. The wonderful thing about performance is the fragility of it - the impermanence. I think I like that contrast in my creative life!
My role in the creation of Monster Burlesque is to work on costuming and the visual details of the show. To put the pictures in my head, on the stage.


My partner in crime, my other half, is Maria Dabrowska.
 The mastermind behind many unique dance works - such as Carnival Hound, the haunting dance work Maria performed and choreographed in 2009. Pictured here for her poster and publicity images for Carnival Hound. Maria works nationally and internationally, she is  a dancer, choreographer and dance trainer. She is my devil on my shoulder, and trust me... when we work together some pretty wacky things come out!
Maria ( "Wellington's own uber kinetic movement inventionist") and I first worked together in the Gallery of Oddities, a mini-faux-freak show in a truck. It was so much fun that we just had  to work together again, and I am super stoked that Maria's quirky energy is part of the monster machine.

Our fairy god-mistress is Mary Laine, our producer. Mary is our ring mistress, the sprinkler of fairy dust to make things magically happen, and then the cracker of whips to make sure WE make things happen on our end!
Not only is Mary a superb organiser, leader and motivator, she is also a very talented maker, and yes Mary.... we'll be getting you to work with a paint brush as well as your calculator once we start painting that set!
Mary and I have exhibited together, in Monsters (an exhibition at My Galaxi Gallery) and in Twisted Dolls (at Roar Gallery). You might be able to see a slight theme here folks... have you noticed the the first three members of our team are all slightly obsessed with .... monsters?

The heroes gather....

And now you know the dream, you can imagine the team that had to be brought together to make this a reality!
I don't know about you, but I was always told that I had an Overactive Imagination as a child... I don't think that did me any harm at all...and so, Overactive Imagination became the production team for Monster Burlesque.

Anyone who knows Wellington will know that as a creative village, one of the best things about the place is that everyone knows everyone. You only have to  reach out your little finger and you can find someone brimming with talent in this town!
Overactive is made up of individual creatives, who in their own practices and lives have a wealth of talent.
We come together and make up the different parts of a team, working on the artistic direction of the show, and supporting each other through our various skills and experience.

Maybe I am being sentimental, but I always find it extremely heart-warming to be part of a team such as this. Where each of you is able to fully realise your skills, and learn and grow from the others in the team.

Nautilus Studios 

It becomes this fabulous mutually beneficial machine.

Toi Poneke Arts Centre

Partially based in Toi Poneke, also in the wonderfully kooky and colonial offices of Cuba Creative, and even spreading as far as Nautilus Studios in Owhiro Bay, the Monster Burlesque project is being lovingly nurtured.

When this show is finally unfolding onstage, and the audience are falling in love with the characters, they will be witnessing only part of the story. For us, the members of Overactive Imagination, the excitement, the passion, has already begun.
Our struggles include sourcing huge amounts of money - yes - $$$$$ !
This is one expensive business we are about!
And sourcing funding and sponsors is the first order of the day.

The Paramount on Courtenay Place

Design is another part of our adventure, for one thing, we have to figure out how to fit into the Paramount, and how to make that wide, but shallow stage become another world for you!

And then, there is the cast....and the costumes... the photoshoots and the music...
Here I will fade away into my lists and ramblings of plans and plots.

Until next time, my dears....