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The room decides where the act goes—that’s the electric promise of cabaret. We sit down with performer, writer and director Alexander Lutley to map a journey from actor training and Madrid mime school to global stages, unpacking how a silent clown named Pi and a silver-tongued host named Mercury grew from the same creative core: authentic play with the audience.

We dig into what burlesque really is—la burla, satire, and liveness—and why the art doesn’t exist without the crowd. Alexander shares the out‑of‑body rush of letting a character ignore the rehearsal plan because the audience invites a different game. We talk about communication beyond language, touring with English in non‑English rooms, and how gesture, rhythm and eye contact make jokes and meaning travel. You’ll hear how acts are built from story, costume or music, and why pacing, tone and transitions turn a lineup into a true show. Expect candid talk on craft: weeks of research, design, and rehearsal hidden under “effortless” stage moments, plus the resilience required when tech is thin and the martini glass has to appear on cue.

Identity runs through the work without becoming a lecture. Alexander reflects on queerness as an inherent presence and on the politics of simply showing up as your real body. We explore why authenticity reads as sexy, how comedy and seduction coexist, and the practical ethics of performing for the audience that’s actually in front of you. For newcomers, there’s clear guidance: know your why, set boundaries, and build toward the experience you want—be it confidence, community, or a career that tours the world. Along the way, we celebrate collaboration, passing the baton between acts, and the simple, radical joy of letting the inner child lead.

If you love cabaret, burlesque, clowning, stagecraft or the artistry behind audience connection, this conversation will spark new ideas and maybe a little mischief. Listen, share it with a friend who needs creative courage, and if it resonated, subscribe and leave a review so more curious minds can find us.

This episode was sponsored by Crystal Parade - https://crystalparade.co.uk/

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