A new working life away from burlesque for Fife performer

But since the end of March, the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on Brandy Montmartre’s working life with most of her bookings now either cancelled, moved online or rescheduled until 2021.

She hopes to be able to perform on stage in front of a live audience once again next year, but, like many other live acts, her future remains uncertain until it is deemed safe once again and restrictions on social distancing can be lifted.

Brandy told The Press: “Before lockdown I produced a burlesque show called The Twilight Tease Burlesque Revue which ran three times a year, in January, July and October.

“We usually have our July show in Dunfermline each year in conjunction with Fife Pride.

“I would perform in the show and curate the cast of four other solo performers and a host, along with a stage manager, and my husband would provide support with the tech side of things.

“We had a strong history of selling out prior to lockdown, and had planned and cast our July and October shows.

“But lockdown has had a significant impact on my working life.

“I was travelling around the UK and beyond performing as well as producing The Twilight Tease Burlesque Revue, and that stopped once lockdown hit. My show was booked to appear in The Borders in November, but that’s now unlikely to happen.

“I have performed online since, but it doesn’t compare with the feeling of being on stage and part of a live show. You can’t replicate that at home.

“I still have a gig booked in October in Edinburgh, but it remains to be seen whether that will go ahead or not. I usually perform at the Fringe at this time of year too, but that has been cancelled too.”

Brandy has had to find an alternative way of making an income:

“I became a freelance illustrator, which is a passion I have wanted to turn into a business for as long as I can remember,” she said.

“I followed a different path for a while and pursued burlesque performance instead but I wanted to be an animator when I was growing up.

“Eventually I found my way back to art. Thankfully it has been my financial saviour. “

Brandy creates artwork for individual clients and companies, and it is being featured in a magazine in Texas this month.

“Things have really skyrocketed fast, which is incredibly lucky,”

But what does the future now hold for the talented performer?

“I miss being on stage with all my heart.

“Once it’s safe to do so, I would love to be back performing again.

“I’ve been using this time to cook up some new acts and show ideas so I can come back swinging, provided there are venues to go back to of course.

“I hope I will be able to get back to performing next year though some shows have rescheduled to 2022!

“I have had most of my bookings either cancel, go online or reschedule to 2021.

“I’m hoping there will be a surge in popularity for live entertainment once it’s safe again and people will come out to support shows.”

But she said social distancing is making it very difficult for venues to re-open:

“It is an uphill climb for venues to see any sort of financial return with social distancing in place,.

“ More government funding in place to subsidise venues that are struggling would be welcome to help balance the books for venues that do choose to open with implemented social distancing.”

She added: “I believe the industry will need to be rebuilt over time.

“As long as there have been people, there have been performers, so that creativity isn’t being extinguished.

“It will persevere, and return in time. It may take a while though, and I think we will see a lot of venues closing and performers less established in the industry pursuing other careers due to necessity and not coming back.

“That being said, I have every hope that we’ll see a recovery coupled with a surge in support for live entertainment over the next few years, which is needed to keep venues going and performers in a job.”

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