Carnival Cinema sits down with Flying Fruit Fly Alumni and renowned Burlesque performer Strawberry Siren for a chat about how she started out, creating her art and the line between the Adult Entertainment industry, Burlesque and educating an audience on sexuality.
We hope you enjoy this candid and thoughtful interview with Strawberry.
*Just a heads up to all the readers out there, this interview contains Adult themes and content.
Tell us about the pathway that led you to the work you do at the moment and the performances you’re doing these days?
I grew up in the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and had done dance and gymnastics training previous to, and alongside my circus training. Unfortunately, in my 1st performing role after graduating from Fruit Fly’s, I sustained a serious neck injury that put an immediate stop to my performing career. I could barely drive my car let alone train or perform. It was devastating and triggered my 1st bought of clinical depression, I was 20 years old and had been doing nothing but circus/performing since the age of 10. I was completely lost as to what to do for work, when I was offered an admin job by Tiny & Robyn at Showtech who were part of the FFFC community. I then worked at Showtech for almost 3 years and learnt an array of fundamental entertainment industry, production and administration skills. With these new skills under my belt, along with a few year’s experience in retail and hospitality, I was able to set myself up as a business when I was finally ready to start performing again.
In 2007 (5 years after my injury) I was itching to get back onto the stage and stumbled into the world of Burlesque. Although my body still wasn’t ready to go back into proper circus training, I was agile enough to be able to dance and pull a few basic circus skills out here and there. Burlesque was the perfect way for me to start building up my confidence on stage again and continue working on my performance craft.
Then in 2009, I was finally able to start circus training again! I had obviously lost a lot of strength and flexibility but I slowly started re-tracing through the training and skills I had learnt in FFFC. I then also put my administration/production skills to work and started producing Cabaret nights in Melbourne so that I could perform more often and get the opportunity to meet all the performers in the Australian Cabaret Community. Even though I was back in training and started performing aerials etc again, the main focus of my work was in Burlesque and in 2012 I also started stripping in Gentlemen’s clubs (so I could afford better Burlesque costumes and props!) and instantly became a Feature Showgirl.
In 2013 I won the title of Miss Burlesque Australia, which I had been working extremely hard towards for 4 years. Unfortunately, immediately after this ‘high’ my personal life went to an epic ‘low’. My depression had been triggered again and I was not in a good place. Luckily I was surrounded by supportive friends and family and got the assistance and medication I needed to continue working. But after a few years of pushing myself to keep creating, performing and touring while battling with my mental health, I finally broke down and had to step back from the lifestyle. I retired from performing and started working in production, stage-management and retail. I sold off a bunch of my costumes and props, stopped wearing stage makeup and styling my hair! And just generally spent time focusing on the things that made ‘me’ happy as an everyday person, as opposed to the ‘image’ and persona that ‘Strawberry Siren’ had become.
About a year after I had retired, my cousin (Rural Ranga) came to me with a proposal to be a part of a new show he had just received funding for, called Pussy Play Masterclass. He had spent the last 2 years developing and performing Wank Bank Masterclass, which had been extremely successful. I initially told him No, as I didn’t want to perform anymore and I gave him a list of other performers he should ask. Long story short…. He finally convinced me to do it and in late 2016 we wrote and developed, what would be my 1st ever solo show and 1st ever experience talking on stage!!!!!! (With all my clothes on!) Pussy Play is a female masturbation masterclass, with a focus on sex positivity, female empowerment and education on female anatomy/sexuality. Being an interactive comedy show, I’ve really been able to develop my skills as a comedic performer and learn how to interact with and include the audience in my performance.
In 2017 when I started touring with Pussy Play, I also returned to the strip clubs as I needed a way of making cash (so I could eat) while on the road. And by the end of the year, I had taken up full-time residency as the Feature Showgirl at the Crazy Horse Revue in Adelaide. The Crazy Horse Revue has one of the most incredible strip club stages in the world, including rigging for aerials, 5 spinning poles and a water feature! So I figured while I was dancing on that stage 5 nights a week, I would start pole dance and aerial training, and competing in national and international showgirl competitions again! I am now the reigning Miss Nude Adelaide and Miss Burlesque World.
Strawberry & Her Cousin the ‘Rural Ranga’
Can you tell us a bit about what appealed to you at the very beginning when you started circus, and again when you moved into adult entertainment and burlesque?
When my mother first suggested that I audition for the circus, when transitioning from primary school to secondary school (after years of dance and gymnastics training) my response was “Ewww Yuk!” But then, of course, I went to the audition (kicking and screaming), blitzed it, and got bumped through the 3-year wait list at the time. I loved training and learning new things, but the thing that really appealed to me was being on stage and performing in front of a live audience….. That’s my no. 1 passion in life. I had had experience performing on stage in dance recitals and gymnastics comps, but once I had a taste of full-scale theatre productions in FFFC there was no turning back. So after my time off due to injury in my early 20’s, the thing that really appealed to me about burlesque and stripping was the opportunity to be on stage again. It was less about WHAT I was doing and more about WHERE I got to do it.
What does your current gig entail, tell us a bit about the recent project(s) you have been working on?
I’m currently on the ‘Aussie Fringe’ tour with Pussy Play and I’ve been featuring in local strip clubs along the way. I’ve also been performing in various cabarets and variety nights with some of my Burlesque and Comedy routines.
Since moving from Melbourne to Adelaide, I’ve made good use of the fact that I’m away from the ‘hustle and bustle’ and my family & friends….. and used my time to write a new solo show about human sexual pleasure, which I hope to debut in 2020. It’s a bit of a ‘follow-up’ show to Pussy Play and also based on experiences I’ve had from writing and performing PP. I’ve also hit my mid 30’s and realised that I’m going to need a retirement plan (coz who wants to be a stripper in their 40’s!?!) so I’ve put myself through beauty school so I can work as a nail tech and laser tattoo removalist.
Can you talk us through the steps of the process you use to make a burlesque act.
Step 1: Inspiration! This can come from anywhere!?! A movie, piece of music, artwork, fabulous costume piece, life experience? Anywhere! I usually find that my inspiration will smack me in the face in the weirdest of moments.
Step 2: Research and brainstorming. I always do a bit of a google to double check that someone somewhere isn’t doing the exact same thing first! Then I’ll start pulling together the bits and pieces to give the act life.
Step 3: Choreograph, rehearse, dress-rehearse repeat.
Step 4: Perform for feedback. Do a few different gigs to try the material out and ask people that you trust (creatively) to come and give you constructive feedback.
Step 5: Always be open to the idea of evolution! Some of the best burly acts in the business were on stage for 5 years before they hit the jackpot.
When you work, much of what you do draws on your body and your performative sexuality. What’s that like for you?
I don’t mind it. It’s definitely pushed and encouraged me to keep healthy, strong and fit as I get older. There are definitely things about my body that I’ve paid more attention to, because I expose it onstage, as opposed to if I sat behind a desk 5 days a week. Although I am a firm believer in “It doesn’t matter what your body looks like on stage…. If you’re confident, happy and being your best self….. That’s what the audience sees”
We’re interested in the therapeutic connection between work and self. What about what you do feeds your inner self? If at all?
Part of the reason I stepped away from Burlesque a few years ago was that it was no longer “feeding” me. I couldn’t see a purpose? Find the message? Or thrive on the creativity or skill. I agreed to do Pussy Play because I could clearly see the purpose and the message and I knew it would require skill. In my 20’s it was fulfilling and exciting to make shows that were “fun”, now I want to “say” something or at the very least, express an idea about something. I’m not satisfied without substance.
Stripping is therapeutic for me (most of the time) as it’s a total confidence booster, a reminder that beauty comes in different forms and that it’s all in the eye of the beholder.
We think there’s both risk and bravery in revealing our shadow self, particularly on stage or in your work. Does that happen much for you?
There are only a handful of things that I DON’T reveal about myself onstage, online or to total strangers….. And the most important one is my name. I’ve become quite protective of it because for me it’s the one special thing that only the people I’m close to, know. “Strawberry Siren” is a public figure that shares herself with the public. But I actually like to keep my private life, private (from the GP). My life, body, sexuality and even masturbation habits are all part of things I share on stage, but my name is the one thing that is private and personal for me. I also don’t share much about my personal life online, if you were to stalk Strawberry Siren online you won’t find pictures of me with family or nieces/nephews etc, you can’t tell if I’m in a relationship and you don’t know what I had for breakfast. Even my FB profile is locked down private so only my actual friends can see what I post.
I don’t mind revealing the personal things that I do reveal, as I feel it’s an important element of allowing people to relate/connect with your performance/art. I also don’t like to lie….. Even in the strip club. Obviously, there are things that I don’t reveal…. But I never pretend to be something I’m not.
When we tell our real stories, sometimes we have to tell others stories as well. If you do that, can you talk us through your personal ethics around telling others stories? Do you ask permission? Do you believe it’s necessary to ask permission given it’s also your story to tell?
I find it extremely hard to keep my private life private from my friends and family. (When not even my private parts are private from the general public!) I’m also an extremely honest person, so I rarely leave things out of “my truth”. If I’m going to tell stories publicly, that include other people…. I’ll usually leave the names of the other people out to protect their privacy.
The day to day role you have is an interesting one with a number of layers – Can you talk on navigating the line between the various contradictions in working in Adult Entertainment, burlesque and education? Do you experience the tension between tradition & innovation, or the tension between respect for elders & encouraging new blood? Or the tension between Emotional Safety & Artistic Risk? Are the prudes and wowsers an issue?
The biggest issue I have with my current day to day role is the different mental space that I need to be in for fringe as opposed to the strip club. I find it very hard to hustle and make money in the strip club when I’m spending the majority of my time surrounded by amazing artists, fabulous shows, outgoing people and inspiring experiences. Having to then ‘dumb myself down’ to deal with toxic masculinity, zero creativity and the ‘general public’ at it’s worst….. Is soul destroying. I don’t struggle with it as much when I’m just stripping full-time and not doing any creative work.
The lines between the Strip Club and the Burlesque world are some interesting ones….. Any female performer who takes her clothes off (strips) in her performance, should really take the time to research the history of Burlesque & Strip Clubs. They will quickly learn that the two art forms are one and the same, they just appeal to different audiences, happen in different venues and have different styled costumes (sometimes). They’d also be interested to know, that my Burlesque styled shows that I perform in strip clubs, go down better than my “stripper” styled ones. My response to anyone that asks me how I cross between the two styles is: “I’m a performing artist. This means I perform in various genres with various skills. I’ve also learnt to cater my performance to the audience that I’m performing for, which is a whole other skill in itself!” Also, my response to any artist who tries to throw me any shade for being a stripper, or tries to diminish it as an art form, I say: “Spend a night in a strip club and see how hard the girls work! Watch a 15min Feature Show that includes dancing, pole tricks, aerials, striptease AND water! THEN tell me it’s not an art form. Also, don’t be Jealousss just coz we be makin money!”
What are some of the negatives and positives in being in your current role on stage?
I love performing Pussy Play, it’s fun, it feeds my soul as a performer and I know that it’s actually helping people and sending out a positive message. But unfortunately, I have experienced some pretty awful things from my audiences and most of them, purely due to the fact that I’m female. I’ve had cis men stand up and verbally abuse me during my show, I regularly have people talking over me while I’m trying to deliver my dialogue and cease to desist even when I politely call them out on it. My cousin, Adam has never experienced any of this in his show, which is the exact same formula to mine. The only difference between our shows is that he is a man talking about male genitalia and I am a woman talking about female genitalia.
I also love stripping! I love doing my feature shows, competing in national comps and being able to make money just for revelling in my sexuality and sexiness. It’s also great to have the flexibility to work when I want and pick up work wherever I am. The negative is the instability of the income and the lack of structure and support in the industry. Clubs can set their own rules and prices and the performers have no choice but to conform. There’s no sick pay, no holiday pay, no workers comp and literally no rights. People always say “You must be raking it in!” and some weeks…. Sure! I do! But then some weeks I don’t even make enough to cover my rent. I get paid for my feature shows because I’ve worked hard to have current national titles, but most girls don’t have that luxury. The only income strippers get is from lap dances, so if you don’t do any lap dances….. you don’t make any money! I kid you not…. There have been weekends where I have worked 10hrs on Friday and Sat night and walked away with NOTHING! But then there are weekends where I’ve walked away with $3,000! So here’s a P.S.A for everyone reading this….. If you go to a strip club…. GET A DANCE! It doesn’t have to be an hour long dance, you have the right to choose the girl you want to dance with and you also determine how much you want to spend. (An average 10min dance is $75-$100) But have at least ONE before you leave the building. Don’t be the asshole that says “I’m just here to have a drink” coz that’s what pubs are for! You’re there because you want some amazing female entertainment with your “drink”. Paying for a lap dance is equal to paying for your ticket for the show. Or if lap dances aren’t your thing? Tip the girls on stage and/or if there’s a girl that you’re getting along with, tip her to hang out with you for a bit? Show some appreciation for the fact she’s been to the gym, put on a full face of make-up, done her hair, nails, tan, put on a lovely outfit and is standing around in 6inch heels so she can look you in the eye!
Who are the collaborators or people you’re close to that you feel most supported by?
I have really enjoyed working with my cousin, we get along really well, have very similar senses of humour and are supportive of each other ideas and processes.
Heath McIvor (Randy) and Joshua Bond have both been very strong supporters to me creatively, professionally and personally over the last few years. They’re the 2 people that I go to 1st, to bounce ideas or seek advice.
I also still feel extremely supported by my core FFFC family that I grew up with. Most of us are still performing and always make an effort to support each other’s work and see each other shows when we can. We also make an effort to support and nurture each others “Muggle” ambitions and work.
Which community/tribe(s) do you feel most connected to?
My carny family, definitely. Growing up in FFFC cemented some life-long, solid relationships that will be part of my life and “family” forever.
What’s it like living and working in Adelaide?
Shit.
It’s really quiet….. which is fine, if you’re into that.
What do you love about the lifestyle in Adelaide (both in festival time and at other times of the year)?
During festival time: Having my rent subsidised for a month while having all my friends and carny family in town.
Outside of festival time: Getting to work in 5 mins, getting a park easily and just generally being a big fish in a little pond. Hehehe
What don’t you like about living there?
I can’t get a coffee after 3 pm. “All day breakfast” finishes at 2:30 pm. There is a city-wide “lockout” of all bars and clubs at 3 am. Nobody from Adelaide can park their cars properly.
What does your downtime/relax time look like and how do you personally ‘switch off’?
Netflix, wine, bed and my cat. I usually only have one day off a week, so I try not to feel guilty about doing absolutely nothing on that day.
What is the future looking like? Tell us about your future plans in the future (including laser tattoo removal?)
Well, I’m actually moving back to Melbourne at the end of this month! (Bring on Breakfast at Mario’s at 5 pm!) My plan for the next few years is to slowly cut back from working in strip clubs full-time and focus on working in the beauty industry. My goal is to actually open my own Laser Tattoo removal/beauty Salon’s in Melbourne and Brunswick Heads N.S.W. (coz let’s face it…… Bruns is fast becoming the “Australian Carny Retirement village”!) I’m also wanting to focus on getting back into my Burlesque/Cabaret performing and producing part-time.
I definitely want to focus on getting my new solo show up and running, it will just depend on time and money in the next 12 months….. Any producers out there interested in lending a helping hand? Let me know!
How does Carnival Cinema fit (if at all) into your sense of community?
To me, it’s like the secret “family crest” of the Aussie Circus industry. I love walking around festival sites and spotting someone wearing their CC merch, and sharing a little ‘nod’ with each other. I’ve known Hamish since I was a kid and he’s been part of my extended carny family. We’re lucky to have someone that has invested so much time and skill into documenting the incredible lives we all lead.
What’s one positive development you would like to see in the future of the Australian Physical Theatre/Cabaret/Circus/Burlesque/Sideshow scene?
More cross representation of culture, gender, ethnicity and styles, in singular works of art. I feel that we have an amazing array, of all of these aspects within our performing arts scene at the moment, but it’s not often put on stage at once. I’m loving shows like YUMMY, that combines all of these elements into one show. It’s still obviously important to make works that showcase particular cultures/gender/ethnicity/styles such as Djuki Mala, Hot Brown Honey, Baby Got Back. But I love it when all of these styles morph together to create human being awesomeness.
More Strawberry Siren:
Strawberry Siren
“The Strawberry Siren Stands out with her good looks and peculiar but hypnotic brand of Burlesque tease.” Australian Stage.
Nicknamed “The Tarantino of Burlesque…. Both Sexy… And Dangerous”, Strawberry Siren has received many awards and titles over her 10 years on the International Burlesque and Cabaret circuit. She has performed all over the world, featuring in and headlining some amazing shows & event’s! Including Adelaide Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, Fringe World Perth, the Tim Burton Australian Exhibition Opening, London Burlesque Festival, Bondi FEAST Fest, Australian Burlesque Festival, W.A Circus Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne SEXPO and the Australian Tattoo & Body Art Expo.
Burlesque & Cabaret is not Miss Siren’s only claim to fame, she has 20 year’s experience in the entertainment industry, in many different capacities. She grew up in the world-renowned, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, touring and performing from the age of 11. She has appeared in National Television commercials & Drama’s, plus theatre productions & musicals. But her latest venture sees her and her cousin, the Rural Ranga touring the globe teaching masturbation techniques in Pussy Play Masterclass and Wank Bank Masterclass. Both Wank Bank and Pussy Play have received 5-star reviews and festival awards, including ‘Adelaide Fringe Weekly Awards’ for ‘Best Interactive’ production.
Strawberry Siren is based in Melbourne and lives with her Devon Rex Cat, Drazic.
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