All hail the (young) BOSS LADY there from waaaay back in the 90's!

(Fishnets and big boots are still a thing now, too!)

Right then, let’s get this glitterball rolling - for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Lara Gothique, founder of The Velvet Burlesque, international choreographer, performer, teacher, producer… and self-confessed Swamp-Witch. I’ve been dancing and performing since I was knee-high to a grasshopper (yes, really), and I’ve never looked back - just hot-fixed more rhinestones on, and gotten louder about it.

Back in 1991, I had this wild idea to turn my lifelong love for dance, music, theatre, and all things flamboyant into a full-blown business. My (rather prudish) Sixth-Form Headmaster told me to get a “proper job” and confidently claimed my little venture wouldn’t last the year.

WELL ...

Here we are – over three decades later – and The Velvet Burlesque is one of the biggest, boldest, and longest-running burlesque and cabaret businesses in the UK. I’ve travelled across the world, dazzled countless audiences, and helped a whole lot of glorious humans shimmy their way to confidence, connection, and a damn good time!

✨ DANCE IS MY MAGIC:

Choreography has always been my happy place - it’s how I tell stories, how I communicate, and quite frankly, how I keep my sanity. I created The Velvet Burlesque to share that magic with others.

Through my classes and workshops, I help people celebrate the skin they’re in, rediscover their self-confidence, and embrace all the messy, marvellous bits of themselves.

Whether you're a total beginner or someone with a back catalogue of jazz hands, you’re welcome. Just bring your sparkle (real or metaphorical), or if you've lost it - we'll help you find it again!

✨ FITNESS WITH FLAIR (AND ZERO JUDGEMENT):

I’m also a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer - which means I don’t just care about how you move, I care about why you move, and how you feel while doing it.

I work with all ages, shapes, and ability levels - from full-on fitness fiends to those recovering from injury, illness, surgery, or those just starting out.

Every programme I offer is personalised, inclusive, and above all, kind to your body. (Unless you count those bloody awful Bulgarian Split Squats ...!)

✨ EVERYONE IS WELCOME - ALWAYS:

(Unless you're a "Mean Girl" ... no Mean Girls allowed!)

My classes and workshops are open to everyone (aged 18+ for dance) - all genders, ethnicities, body types, backgrounds, and energy levels. Velvet Burlesque isn’t just about movement - it’s about community, support, laughter, and finding your tribe.

And yes, we are very good at welcoming nervous newbies. You’ll come in shy, and leave with a strut.

 ✨ MEET "HELLS BELLE" - MY AMAZONIAN ALTER EGO!

On stage, I become "Hells Belle" – a formidable Showgirl Goddess with a reputation for commanding presence, killer costumes, and incredibly fast nipple-tassels! Think old-school glamour meets gothic ferocity, and then add a touch of danger, because honestly, this bitch bites if you pull her tail.

The name? That’s a nod to one of my favourite bands of all time - the mighty AC/DC. Their track "Hells Bells" absolutely thunders with drama, power, and attitude - so naturally, it became the inspiration for my onstage persona.
Loud, proud, and impossible to ignore? Sounds about right.

I’ve performed internationally, and all over the UK, bringing all kinds of shows and events to life - from classic burlesque to dark fantasy, horror, fetish, historical themes and beyond. I’ve even thrown in a bit of stunt horse-riding and motorbike madness over the years (because apparently I just don’t know how to sit still).

If you’ve got a crazy idea, or want something bespoke for your event, just ask! I’m always up for creating something new and unforgettable.

Some lovely (and slightly cheeky) testimonials for "Hells Belle":

“An hourglass figure, with the sand in all the right places.” – Mister Meredith
“A Victorian Gothic masterpiece … fitting into the surroundings perfectly.” – 21stCenturyBurlesque.com
“The fastest tassels in the North!” – Feline Productions
“Her onstage persona is large, vibrant, and confident... there ain’t nothing like a pro.” – Allie J Carr

Basically - I’m not here to be subtle. I’m here to make you feel something, whether it’s awe, joy, or the sudden urge to go home and put on heavy make-up, high heels, and fishnets.

 ✨ BEHIND THE SCENES: WELLIES, DOGS, CATS, & PERFECT SWAMP-WITCHERY:

When the spotlight dims and the dancing shoes come off, I turn into a full-blown, welly-wearing hermit. I live on farm in a gloriously rural area of North Sheffield with my husband; The Viking, a landscape gardener.

I genuinely love nothing more than muddy boots, sunny days, and wandering around the woodland and moors with my majestic Great Danes.

I’m a total nature-lover at heart. Give me the sound of birds and other wildlife over traffic any day. That’s where I find my peace, and where I remind myself that the woman who makes the magic also needs time to recharge.

Although, while I may be a rural hermit in my downtime, make no mistake - I rarely sit still! As my close friends will gleefully tell you, I always have at least 37 brain tabs open, usually involving a number of new choreography pieces, a huge admin to-do list (self-employment/owning a business - there's no bloody end to the admin!), new show concepts, and random things I need to Google at 4am.

I’m also frequently surrounded by cats - some are house cats, and some are feral rescues that I've trapped, neutered and released again here. I swear they’re running some sort of feline underground network - word’s clearly out about the 24/7 cat food buffet - the buggers just keep turning up!

(And yes, I'll save the story about the trapped feral cat who bit through my boob for another time ...!)

What a lot of people don’t see is that I’ve built this life and business through more than just sequins and show-face. I live with various frustrating and painful chronic health conditions, and I’ve faced some terrible personal losses, including multiple miscarriages - experiences that absolutely shook me, shaped me, and made me even more determined to carve out joy and connection wherever I can.

So when I say, “Trust The Process!” I mean it.
Because I’ve danced through some very dark days, and thankfully found some light on the other side.

This chaotic showbiz life vs. the grounded life - part Glamazon, part Swamp-Witch - keeps me real. It’s where the feathers get packed away, the lashes come off, and I reconnect with the messy, muddy, magical version of myself.

I’ve met and worked with some incredible people, been part of some spectacular events and opportunities, overcome so many challenges for myself and my business, and proved that yes - you can make a career out of shaking your bits, and yelling instructions at people!

So that’s me - Boss Lady - Lara Gothique - Hells Belle - Swamp-Witch - (Slightly Feral) Founder of The Velvet Burlesque. Proud producer, consummate performer, passionate teacher, trustworthy mentor, and the kind of woman who can milk a goat if she needs to.

Come along sometime. Click the links. We’ll make magic together.

💋

© Lara Gothique - Velvet Burlesque™
All content, text, and imagery are the original work of Lara Gothique - The Velvet Burlesque™ unless otherwise stated.
You are very welcome to share this blog post in its original form, but please do not reproduce, reuse, or quote any part of it without prior written permission.