Le Crazy Horse has been an establishment in Paris since 1951, and this month for the first time a version of the erotic dance review has a UK residency, at London’s Supperclub.
Le Crazy Horse has been an establishment in Paris since 1951, and this month for the first time a version of the erotic dance review has a UK residency, at London’s Supperclub. Le Crazy Horse founder Alain Bernardin was a painter who was inspired by American burlesque, especially the Montreal-born strip burlesque dancer Lili St. Cyr. After visiting the states, Bernardin brought the idea back to Paris and gave it an European twist.
"In a way it's the anti-Burlesque," explains managing director Andrée Deissenberg, "Bernardin modified everything to his artistic, Parisian vision." Unlike the hourglass figure common to American burlesque, Le Crazy Horse dancers are all slender, in classic Parisian style. "The Crazy girls all correspond to specific measurements," Deissenberg says. "They are all between one metre 68 and one metre 72; and they are all natural – there are no enhancements or fake anything." There is also a clear influence from striptease, with the dancers appearing nearly or completely nude (aside from their shoes) while the lighting design 'dresses' them. The small stage is shaped like a shoebox, giving the show an intimate, peepshow quality, while no more than a dozen dancers perform at the same time, alternating between group vignettes and individual performances. Seven dancers have come over for Crazy Moments in London.
Fashion and design have always played a significant role in the show. "Bernardin began by dressing the girls with little costumes or bits of material," Deissenberg says. "He often worked in collaboration with designers from Paris, so this is one of the traditions." Previous contributions include with Paco Rabanne and Karl Lagerfeld, Azzaro, Azzedine Alaïa in the 80s, Cavalli, and most recently up-and-coming Parisian designer Alexandre Vauthier. Louboutins are the shoes of choice. Recent guest performers include Dita Von Teese and Pamela Anderson, who have each joined the dancers on the stage in Paris.
Le Crazy Horse at the Supperclub, London runs until June 26 2011.
Text by Ananda Pellerin
Ananda is a freelancer writer and editor based in London.
