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| Ina Glo Photography |
Where did yourstage name, Scarlett Daggers come from?
- It was a bit of a cobbled together name really. I
always tend to wear something red every day so Scarlett came first. The Daggers
part was an off hand joke that just stuck! But I'm glad it did. It's
funny and gutsy and a dainty, delicate name totally wouldn't suit me
or my style.
Do you have a signature act?
- I have a few unique acts. A B movie Sci-Fi
Queen homage called "Kiss of the Cobra Woman", and a gift
wrapped showgirl simply called "The Present", but I think
my most iconic act is my "Hot Rod Honey" routine
which is inspired by Vince Ray's sleazy 50s pin-ups complete with fishnet
stockings, an oil can and a pair of chequered racing flags with red glitter
poles!
I'm hoping my new fire act, which is not quite finished
and is still under wraps, will top everything I've done up to this
point. With big props and another extravagant costume I've set a big
challenge for myself. You'd think I'd learn my lesson and make something
small and simple after this but I have plans that are only slightly less
daft for the summer!
You have recently given up your ‘day job’ to become
self-employed, describe your average day?
- Yes after working in the NHS for over 8 years I've
finally taken the plunge into full time self employment. It's only been a
couple of months and I haven't really got into a set routine yet. The novelty of
being able to stay in my pyjamas all day hasn't quite worn off!
After letting the dog out and seeing my
other half off to work I'll check my emails and bumble about online for a
bit before getting stuck into the typing, emails and phone calls
that make up my virtual PA job. The rest of my day is taken
up with promotion work for my shows, scouting for performers to
book, working on new acts, contacting promoters about my own bookings, doing
costume repairs and cuddling the pup (obviously the most important part of
my day).
Being self-employed is great isn’t it, I love having time
to have a nice breakfast, it really sets me up for the day. What's your
favourite thing?
- Ooh my favourite breakfast is jammy
toast (with raspberry or marmalade) and a big cup of tea. And maybe a
marshmallow for dessert (I have a bit of a sweet tooth).
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| Harry Duns Photography |
You have your fingers in a lot of pies, tell us about
those pies?
- I do keep myself busy! I produce two shows at
the Glee Club in Nottingham City Centre: The Gilded Merkin, which is a big
budget burlesque and cabaret show and Dr Sketchy's, a
cabaret/life drawing class, which I run with artist friend CharlotteThomson-Morley.
I also perform all over the UK, zipping up and down the
country most weeks to all sorts of weird and wonderful places doing shows
and parties and the other week a BBC filming workshop! Ontop of that
I run my own handmade craft business called Red Anchor Emporium (if I ever
get time to get my sewing machine out). I make fabric accessories like
bags with bamboo handles, quilted stocking pouches, phone cases,
purses and other bits and pieces and am heavily influenced by
the 1950s and americana/tiki styles. Lately I've had a few performers ask
me to make bits of costume for them so I've branched out a bit. I''ll be making
small items like pasties, panel skirts and merkins now too. One of my goals
this year is to fill my Etsy shop up with goodies, it's looking a bit dusty and
neglected at the moment.
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| Candee Photography |
Wow, you had your fingers in a lot of pies! How did
you fit it in before you quit your day job?
- I didn't sleep! haha. No, I'm just a really good
multi-tasker. I cut my day job down to 20 hours per week about a year ago
and as I had no access to networking sites on my work PC my
lunchbreaks were usually spent on my phone replying to messages, looking up
performers and booking acts, while scoffing a quick sandwich at my desk.
Everything's a lot less frantic now I'm working from home and I certainly don't
miss the red tape and frustrations of working for the NHS. To be honest I wish
I'd done this a long time ago.
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| Photo by Paul Larkin's Photography, dress by BooBoo Kitty Couture |
You run your own burlesque and cabaret night in
Nottingham, The Gilded Merkin. What inspired/ drove you to start your own
night?
- After spending so much of my time performing at other
great shows around the UK I really wanted to bring something of that
calibre to Nottingham and I was keen to get my teeth into producing another
show alongside Dr Sketchy's. I wanted a big show with a packed line up of
headline acts in a fabulous venue. There was nothing like that in Nottingham.
I approached the Glee Club as I already had a good
working relationship with them from hosting Sketchy's there. They had a big
stage, a big bar, full cabaret table and theatre seating, food service, a
great dressing room and a great atmosphere. They were really keen on the
idea and were full of enthusiasm for helping me to make it a big success.
My other half Johnny, bassist in Derby based
punk/garage band The Atoms, is to be given full credit for the name of the
show. And yes he feels incredibly smug about that.
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| Scarlett hosting Dr Sketchy's Nottingham |
When is the next Gilded Merkin and what can we expect?
- It's on Sunday 10th February which isn't very far off
at all, they do sneak up fast! Doors open at 6:30pm and I strongly recommend
booking in advance and arriving early to get the best seats!
You can expect a fantastic mix of burlesque, comedy,
circus, fire, music and much more. This month the stars of the show are: Kitty
Bang Bang, a burlesque wild child who dances en point and breathes fire;
Mat Ricardo, the gentleman juggler who has entertained Royalty and appeared on
the Jonathon Ross show; Leggy Pee (and her little friend Charlie), a silent songstress
with a totally unique musical cabaret act; Amelie Soleil, the sideshow
spectacle known as Britain's tiniest tease; Ginger Blush, the comedy
saucepot with a side of slapstick; Em Brulee, a glamourpuss vintage jazz
and blues vocalist and me of course.
If you dress to impress you could be in with a
chance of winning some fabulous prizes, the biggest of which is provided by our
fabulous sponsor Boo Boo Kitty Couture! One lucky lady will win a made to
measure dress made by Aislinn's own fair hands. So put your best
party-pants on and come to the show!
For details of the next Gilded Merkin, see the facebook event page
I saw Scarlett perform a couple of years ago at the Hotrod Hayride - she was amazing! And such a lovely lady too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Roxie, that's lovely! :D xx
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