How a monster was born....

Imagine... Rocky Horror meets The Muppets and gets wrapped in a cloak of Cirque du Soleil...The result?  

Overactive Imagination presents Monster Burlesque, a late-night burlesque variety show like never seen before in New Zealand.  

I want to take you back to the beginning of our journey.... the planning of Monster Burlesque. In this post you will see the inspiration images we collected to help illustrate our way. (Please note that we are using these images as poetic and artistic food - and we do not claim ownership of them!)

This was our dream... to bring giant furry monsters to life and take over the wonderful old Paramount theatre for a burlesque party like no other.  

Why the Paramount you might ask?

Part of the appeal of the Paramount is its history...did you know that the first "talking picture" shown in New Zealand was at the Paramount in 1929? An iconic venue, and although parts of it may be showing its age a little, the Paramount is a bastion for the arts in Wellington.

Let me draw you a picture.... From the moment the audience walks through the door of our “Grand Old Lady” they are immediately transported into another world.  Entering the foyer they are swept up in our carnivalesque playground, could we fit a magical photo booth in the lift?



There will be sparkling lights and a beautiful violinist serenading them up the staircase; upstairs they are immersed in another world. With ticket in hand like a fantastical back stage pass, they arrive in the world of Monster Burlesque!

The bar area of the Paramount is transformed into the “backstage” of Monster Burlesque… with old world costume dresses suspended in a surreal light installation, glittering costumed Indian dancing girls pose and pivot, hula hooping gymnasts flex and spin, red velvet curtains dress up the old lady of the Paramount, and gilded mirrors allow glimpses of strange characters mingling with the crowd, warming them up for the main event. Costumed beauties peddling gourmet ice creams and beverages make their way through the throng to ensure that the audience have their treats.   The doors are opened, the audience is seated, the lights go down…. The show begins!

Full-sized fluffy monsters will take to the stage in colourful furs to perform bollywood dance, hip hop, monster raps, monster drum solos and martial arts tricking. Glamorous drag queens will dance with zombies, bearded ladies will share unusual hair styling tips and street-bums perform romantic tangos. Sparkling fighting roosters will grace the stage, along with operatic arias, thrilling Theremin and elegant dancers in gorgeous tui costumes. Last but not least, jazz-dancing werewolves will perform thrilling aerial circus feats. 

These are just a few of the images we are about to create for you... now begins our work of building a host of talent, constructing gorgeous costumes and sets, designing fabulous makeup and glittering jewels.

Every week one of our team will update you on the events and adventures of creating Monster Burlesque... you can expect back stage pictures, interviews with our extravagantly talented cast and crew, sneak previews on characters and show development and much more!