Artist Focus: Daniela Honig – The Coffin Goblin Bringing Gothlesque and Gorelesque to Life

As Halloween descends and the nights grow darker, Nottingham’s burlesque scene is illuminated by a performer whose name alone sends a delightful shiver down the spine – Coffin Goblin. Known offstage as Daniela Honig, this rising gothlesque and gorelesque artist is redefining what it means to blend horror, humour, and empowerment under the stage lights.

Originally from outside Nottingham, Daniela’s creative rebirth began when she moved to the city in 2020. “It’s where I started my burlesque and drag journey,” she says. “Being able to be adopted into the local drag and burlesque community has been wonderful and has definitely shaped my work.” What began as an impulsive decision to join the Tigerlilies university burlesque troupe quickly became a life-changing passion.

“I had never thought of doing burlesque before moving to Nottingham,” Daniela explains. “I’ve always loved being on stage, but I struggled massively with body image. Finding the Tigerlilies Burlesque Society changed everything. My confidence has grown tremendously through doing burlesque – and doing it my way.”

That “way” is uniquely hers: dark, theatrical, and joyfully twisted. Daniela’s stage persona, Coffin Goblin, channels the eerie glamour of classic horror with a punkish wink. “I get my inspiration from horror films and from music from the 80s and 90s,” she says. “Bands such as The Cramps and Depeche Mode have been featured many times in my acts.” The result is a performance style that is both provocative and playful – a cocktail of fright, fascination, and fearless self-expression.

Her transformation from troupe member to solo act has allowed her creativity to flourish. “My beginner performances always involved many people,” she reflects. “Now that I’ve become a solo performer, I love to incorporate various horror and gore elements, songs I love, and themes that may make some people uncomfortable. But also always including some sort of humour!”

It’s this delicate balance – fear and laughter, blood and beauty – that makes Coffin Goblin’s performances so magnetic. She describes her goal for the audience in deliciously wicked terms: “Scared, disgusted, slightly intrigued, and turned on of course!”

Beyond the glitter and fake blood, Daniela’s journey is also one of self-acceptance. Overcoming deep-seated body image struggles has been her greatest challenge. “It has been a long journey,” she admits, “but the love and acceptance of the burlesque community has been incredible.” The Nottingham performance scene has embraced her as one of its own, even dubbing her the Goblin of Nottingham – a title she wears with pride.

This Halloween season marks a particularly busy time for the Coffin Goblin. She’s performing at Bad Flower Burlesque in Derby and Dirty Filthy Sexy in Nottingham, before reuniting with the Tigerlilies Alumni for their winter show in November. She’ll also appear at Gladrags, a popular Nottingham drag night – proof that her star continues to rise across the Midlands’ alternative performance scene.

Her advice for others thinking about stepping into the world of burlesque? “Do it even if you’re scared!” she insists. “Confidence will come along the way, and you can make your burlesque style WHATEVER you want it to be! Incorporate whatever makes you feel most confident and most like yourself, and it will shine through.”

As Coffin Goblin, Daniela Honig embodies that philosophy every time she takes the stage – a reminder that art, even when wrapped in blood, latex, and gothic glamour, can be a source of liberation. She’s part of a new wave of performers redefining British burlesque: fearless, inclusive, and unapologetically strange.

Those wanting to follow the chaos and charm can find her on Instagram at @coffin.goblin, where her haunting visuals and performance updates offer a taste of what she brings to the stage – a macabre celebration of individuality, empowerment, and the deliciously dark.

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