Interview With One of England's Coolest Burlesque Dancers

Anna Fur Laxis
Everyday Wear
Photo by Candee Photography

On my list of American things -- way above apple pie, which isn't American, and motherhood, which we all know is universal -- is Bettie Page. Page, who passed away in December, is both the most unique and most iconic symbol of the entire so-called "Cheesecake" photography movement of the 1950's.

Recently, Cheesecake, along with burlesque, has seen a big comeback, and I had a chance to chat with one of Page's biggest admirers, England's Anna Fur Laxis, about her Bettie Page inspired modeling and burlesque show. Her sense of humor, fetish, and sexuality channel something that many people don't even know existed back then. So true to Bettie's spirit (not to mention appearance!) is Anna, that it was hard for me to remember that I was speaking with a Brit -- except when she said things like "uni" for university and used the occasional British spelling. Of course, there are a few other super British things she does in this interview, but I can't give away all the surprises!

Chicktellectual.com: You seem really in touch with both the kitchy/humor side and the sexy side of burlesque. What got you into modeling and burlesque?

Anna Fur Laxis: I was at uni in 2005 and a guy on my course dropped out to concentrate in his photography. I'd been dressing in a 50's pin up style for a while and he asked if he could photograph me for an exhibition he was putting together. I really enjoyed the experience, it was a creative outlet I'd never previously considered so I started to seek out other photographers who liked my look. I then ended up doing a shoot with another model who also produced burlesque shows locally & she offered me a slot as she said my modelling "performance" was practically a routine in itself!

C.com: How did you come up with your first routine? Do you still do it?

AFL: I'd had very little dance training at the time and didn't really have any idea how to go about putting an act together. The friend who offered me the show suggested I choose a piece of music I liked and take it from there. I chose a cool 60's track with a French vocal and put together a simple striptease with a French theme. I still perform the act occasionally although it has evolved in both costume and content. Although it's not as strong thematically as my more recent acts, I've no plans to retire it completely, I have a real soft spot for it, and it still has that killer twirling finalé!

C.com: How do people who aren't in the burlesque scene react when they find out what you do?

AFL: Reactions are mixed! People generally don't understand what burlesque dancing involves, the first assumption is often that it's a world they wouldn't approve of so they can be a little shocked! I quite like that! I like the paradox of their assumption vs the truth. I'm really not shocking at all, I knit, bake, sew, prefer Earl Grey to alcohol, take my clothes off on stage to the whooping and whistling of strangers, fuss my cats, like an early night, lovely...

C.com: Tell me about how you came up with your favorite routine?

Anna Fur Laxis
"Viva Bettie"
Click Image to Watch a Video
Photo by Adam Stokes

AFL: My most recent acts tend to be my favourite as I'm still excited at the novelty of performing them & at the moment it's my "Viva Bettie" routine, my tribute to Bettie Page. The good girl/bad girl transformation is a great burlesque staple so it's fun to think of a different way to represent this. My husband actually came up with the idea of a half & half divided costume as the two sides of Bettie and we both just loved the premise. The costume was pretty challenging to fully realise but I really enjoy the creative process and I'm delighted with the results. It's very visual as Bad Bettie gradually undresses Good Bettie, very comedic, and I get to really ham it up which I love to do.

C.com: Why do you think Burlesque is so popular with women?

AFL: I see Burlesque foremost as a glamorous escape. Women love to dress fabulously and it's the perfect excuse to buy new shiny things more often! I think there's also an element of women wanting see other examples of women's bodies, we're all so hung up about our physical appearance, and opportunities to see a range of differing physicalities don't come along too often, that burlesque provides an innocent, non-threatening environment where women can compare, contrast and hopefully feel good about themselves.

C.com: I have to confess it took me a while to figure out the pun in your name. How did you come up with it?

AFL: That would be thanks to my twin fetishes for language and all things medical! When I met my husband he was at uni so I ended up spending a lot of time around medical and dental students. I quickly developed a love for the complex language that surrounds the subjects, I found myself watching E.R. and shouting out which tests they should be sending for.  Dr Carter was my favourite.....

I like that you don't need to be familiar with the term anaphylaxis for the name to sound appropriately burlesquey, but if you do know, or are inspired to find out, then it is that little bit more entertaining. A friend in L.A was admitted to the Emergency Room and asked if she'd ever had anaphylaxis, her answer: "I know Anna Fur Laxis..."

• Front Page Photo by Bravo Photo.

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