I got a taste of what is to come in Birmingham's first-ever Drag and Burlesque festival at House of Allure's Old School Strip - and it was as 'hot and spicy' as promised

House of Allure, a drag and burlesque collective founded in the city, promised spectators a 'hot and spicy' night as doors opened to the 101st show appropriately titled 'The Old School Strip' at Eden Bar, Gooch Street - and I can definitively say they more than delivered. 

The troupe - made up of showgirls, drag kings and creatives - perfectly blended comedy, choreography, and cabaret attitude! But there were some stand out moments that took me by surprise!

'And I'm your host Locques LaRoux!'

When it comes to capturing your audience - one thing you must have for a cabaret variety performance is a charismatic host to grab everyone's attention!

Now, when you think of a cabaret show - you might think Butlin's Red Coat - but at a not-suitable-for-work show, you need a not-suitable-for-the-holiday-park host! That's where Locques LaRoux comes in!

He was the perfect blend of talented poet, comedian and flirtatious with his audience that kept Burlesque fans and so-called 'Burlesque virgins' enthralled for the whole night - whether it be poetry about how what he looks for in a man or performing musical numbers. 

Paint stripper!

Now... this is where my surprise comes in. 

As I've mentioned, House of Allure promised a 'hot and spicy' show - and if someone would say that to you? What outfits would you expect to see? A cheeky Ann Summers number, perhaps? 

What if I told you to expect a big white boiler suit and utility belt? Well, that's what we got from the shows featured Drag King Tristan Treble!

In fact, we got multiple boiler suits - a Russian nesting-doll of boiler suit strips! Right down to a set of big black boxer shorts hilariously branded with the words 'paint stripper'.

The audience got a good laugh and cheer - and I had to admit to wooh-ing along with them!

But he wasn't the only one to take something categorically NOT on the sexy scale and turn it into a comedic Burlesque sketch. 

Titsalina Bumsquash came out during the second act in a dressing gown and hair rollers before unleashing a nightdress that resembled Homer Simpson's Moo-moo from Season 7 of The Simpsons. 

It was giving 'nan on the council estate' in an ironically iconic way as the crowd jeered to encourage her to step it up on the racy scale and unleash the lingerie number under it. 

It's easy to see why the older generation had so many children if they had it all going on under the nighties!

'Like Charlie Chaplin - but with less clothes' 

One thing this show had in spades was variety and one performer who I was on the fence about when he stepped out on stage was Italian comic Enrico Touche. 

I will be the first to admit - I've not seen much slapstick comedy before - and I wasn't so sure. 

But he stepped out on stage with his tie in the air and had the whole audience in a fit of giggles - including myself. 

I particularly enjoyed his interactions with the audience during the 'Business Pig' sketch. He captured the hearts of everyone in the room and within moments he'd won me over. 

His Flapper routine was also great and very fitting with the 'Old School' theme of the evening. 

It was like watching a live Charlie Chaplin - just with less clothes!

I'll take a double G&T!

However, when you go to a Burleque show there is always one thing you want to see - the double G and T!

And by that, of course, I mean Glitz, Glamour and Talent (get your minds out the gutter!)

House of Allure truly showed how they are home to some stunning show girls. 

Headlining the show was Dominous Von Vexo - a talented performer who hails from Bromsgrove but now resides in Birmingham - and the founder of House of Allure!

Dominous - as by name and so by nature - truly dominates the stage during their performances with their extravagant outfits, confidence and bold routines. 

My favourite routine of the night was their Grindr App routine - which was comedic and racy, while also sending a powerful message about intense hook-up culture on apps targeted at the LGBTQ community - leading to big laughs from the audience and cheers when the track declared 'Account Deleted'. 

But while the founder remains a strong stage presence - the House has proven to be a place for showgirls to rise to the stars for themselves!

Mimi Mariama made her debut on the Birmingham stage on Friday night as a Burlesque performer, having been a stage manager with the collective for a number of years - and what a talent she is!

Mimi is a stunning performer who I have no doubt is becoming a powerful player in the performance space in her own right - and the fact that she was revealed to have been behind many a glamourous costume for House of Allure, how can one compete?

Among the other glamourous stars of the evening, was Dawn Voz, a UK burlesque artist who hails from London's Black Burlesque school. 

She truly showed what her school has to offer with her racy Voz Vibrations routine and kept the audience captivated by her movement - and chuckling at her cheeky facial expressions. An absolute delight!

Verdict

From its bold opening number to its cheeky final bow, the show proved that burlesque in Birmingham is not just alive, but thriving, teasing the audience with a blend of wit, sensuality, and theatrical flair that left the room buzzing long after the curtain fell. 

It truly showed exactly why House of Allure has become a drag and burlesque powerhouse in the city - and across the country - and if this show was a taste of what is to come between November 6 and 8 next year at the city's first-ever Drag and Burlesque festival - then count me in! 

I'll take mine extra spicy, please! 

FIVE STARS!