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Sweet new film role for top burlesque dancer Khandie
Khandie Khisses, picture by Haley Richardson
A WORLD- renowned burlesque dancer from Aylesbury is set to star in her first film and is also considering running workshops in the town to encourage more women to ‘give it a go’.
Khandie Khisses has performed for tens of thousands of people in countries from Australia to Germany, starred in shows in Paris, and is consistently voted in the world’s burlesque top 30 through an annual survey of 20,000 enthusiasts.
The 26 year old, whose real name is Emma Rees, often causes a stir by walking around Aylesbury dressed up in vintage clothing.
She says: “I was in HMV the other day and one man asked if he could take my picture.”
Unlike other artists, she does not just wear ‘Victorian corsets’ and has even appeared on stage in a gorilla costume.
She is also believed to be the UK’s only real-life mermaid-for-hire, because of her act which can be performed underwater.
In the new year she will start shooting her first film in London, playing her character Khandie.
The film, called Jimmy’s End, is written by Alan Oswald Moore whose books were turned into the Hollywood films Watchmen, V For Vendetta, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
After she left school, Khandie joined the Royal Air Force and worked as an admin assistant for six years.
She started burlesque dancing after being at a show where the main act did not turn up, and deciding to ‘give it a go’ for a laugh.
The attempt led to more bookings, and soon became a career.
Khandie says: “It is old fashioned entertainment, we have had women doing something similar dating back to Egyptian times. Women were doing this in Victorian times, it is not something sleezy and dirty, it is fun.
“We predominantly perform to a female audience, it is not about sex.
“If it was just a sex show we wouldn’t get so many women.
“People come to watch all dressed up in vintage gear.
“It is not about female empowerment, it is about having a good laugh
“I enjoy it, there is no prerequisite body shape, I am a size 14/16, so I’m a plus size and I have never thought about slimming down for my act.
“Even Britain’s Got Talent had a burlesque dancer and she was a viable candidate to perform for the Queen.
“I know some burlesque dancers that don’t even strip, and I know people who wear less on the beach than most burlesque dancers on stage.”
She jokes: “And yes it is a taxable profession.”
Khandie moved to Aylesbury because her best friend lives in the town.
“He said to me ‘you will always have a place here, so go out and give it a go’, and thanks to him I’m doing really well.”
Aside from Victorian style burlesque costumes, she also performs in a gorilla costume – a play on the concept that ‘beauty killed the beast’.
Khandie also had a special mermaid’s costume created for her, along with breathing apparatus, so she can perform underwater. She perfected the routine through practising at the Scubaducks dive centre in Edison Road in Aylesbury.
Khandie is currently looking for a venue to start burlesque workshops in Aylesbury. She regularly teaches private lessons and recently taught one couple burlesque moves for their wedding dance. For more details visit www.khandiekhisses.com
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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