Saturday 8 November in Derbyshire felt alive again as Valley One returned to Shirland Miners Welfare for a free gig…
By K Futur LOCALIn the heart of Derby’s creative underground, where music, performance, and art continually merge, one name has become synonymous with gothic elegance, sharp wit, and fearless self-expression – Fleur Du Mal. A powerhouse performer, producer, and creative force, Fleur has carved out a distinctive identity within Britain’s thriving burlesque scene, transforming stages across the UK and beyond into spaces where fantasy, rebellion, and empowerment intertwine.
“I’m currently based in Derby city centre, which is where I was born and grew up,” Fleur says. “Burlesque often focuses on luxurious visuals and selling the fantasy of an expensive lifestyle. But for those of us who come from working class families and financially deprived areas, that’s not always possible. So we learn how to be more creative, and how to make a costume we’ve put together from charity shop purchases look like couture.”
That honesty, grounded in Derby’s industrious spirit, runs through everything Fleur does. Her performances carry the visual polish of classic cabaret but pulse with a raw, working-class energy that challenges stereotypes of glamour and accessibility. It’s a blend that makes her one of the region’s most compelling performers – a creator who can make an audience laugh, blush, and think, often all at once.
Crafting Power Through Performance
“I’m a burlesque performer, which means I create stage performances combining elements of dance, mime, acting, and striptease,” Fleur explains. “I also host cabaret shows, sing, teach classes, and even produce events, but it all started with the burlesque.”
Her creative control is total – from choreography and soundtrack to costume design. That autonomy, she says, is part of the allure: “Burlesque is an art form where you have almost complete creative control. Every single aspect of an act is designed by me. It gives me a huge sense of freedom – although a lot of pressure comes with it.”
That sense of self-determination has taken Fleur’s art far beyond the borders of Derby. She has performed across Europe, with standout moments in Iceland and Croatia. “Visiting Iceland for Reykjavik Kabarett was on my bucket list,” she says. “Being part of the Croatian Burlesque and Cabaret Festival was also a highlight – connecting with performers from Europe and North America, and learning from different scenes, has been invaluable.”
Yet even with her international reach, she remains loyal to her hometown. Her pride swells when she recalls producing her first full cabaret show at The Hairy Dog, a cornerstone of Derby’s alternative scene. “When it all came together in front of an almost sold-out audience, I had an overwhelming feeling of pride and accomplishment that I’ll never forget,” she says.
The Art of Reinvention
Fleur’s journey hasn’t been without challenges – particularly when it comes to understanding her own creative evolution. “I thought my strength would be comedy,” she admits. “But I wasn’t connecting with audiences when I did. Then I found that when I did slow-burn pieces focused on building tension, something clicked. Now, that’s my signature style.”
Her current performances blend sensuality, theatre, and gothic storytelling. Inspired by Les Fleurs du Mal, the 19th-century poetry anthology by Charles Baudelaire, Fleur has built a persona steeped in dark romanticism. “A big influence on my work is gothic literature,” she says. “I took my stage name from Baudelaire’s anthology, and a lot of my aesthetic is influenced by gothic style.”
But that aesthetic isn’t mere decoration – it’s a vehicle for meaning. “I often use my acts as ways to express my ideas around things like gender roles and presentation,” she explains. “Once you put your art out there, it’s no longer just yours. Viewers will read their own interpretations into your pieces.”
One act, in which she performs wearing a giant stylised pair of lips as a fetish-style gag, was meant to explore the theme of silencing – but audience members saw something else entirely. “They told me they loved my commentary on beauty norms and cosmetic procedures. I hadn’t meant for that to be part of the message, but if they took something meaningful from it, that’s a positive for me even if it was unintended.”
The Derby Renaissance
Fleur is as passionate about her city as she is about her art. “Derby is full of talented artists, but we get so overlooked because of our location,” she says. “We’re not north, not south, and when people talk about the Midlands they usually mean Birmingham. Add to that the fact that people here always say it’s an awful place with nothing to do – but there’s so much art being developed here if you know where to look.”
That sense of defiance has fuelled Bad Flower Burlesque, her Derby-based production company, which showcases the city’s cabaret talent while inviting performers from across the country to collaborate. This year alone, Fleur has produced The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue at Chapel Street Arts Centre and is gearing up for Ballroom Glitz at The Old Bell Hotel this December.
Next year, her ambitions grow even further: “I want to create a regular community event aimed at nurturing up-and-coming cabaret talent of all genres, giving artists a stage to develop and show off their skills. I’d love for us to have a regular show at a ‘home venue’, so we can really build something lasting.”
Lessons in Liberation
For Fleur, burlesque is more than performance – it’s philosophy. Her advice to newcomers is simple but profound: “Don’t be afraid to feel like a twt.”*
“Burlesque is full of silly movements and over-the-top facial expressions,” she explains. “If you feel embarrassed, you’ll make them smaller and more ‘flattering’ – but that restricts your ability to connect and emote. The key is to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. If you can do that, you’ll find the freedom to push your expression further. So if you’re creating something and you feel like a tw*t – perhaps you’re on the right track!”
That unapologetic authenticity captures everything Fleur Du Mal stands for. Whether she’s performing under the red lights of a packed venue, sewing her next costume at home, or championing Derby’s creative underbelly, she embodies an artist who builds beauty from grit and glamour from truth.
Her journey is proof that burlesque isn’t just about feathers and fans – it’s about freedom.
You can catch Fleur Du Mal live at her next event, Ballroom Glitz, on 27th December at The Old Bell Hotel, Derby.
Tickets: Tickettailor.com/events/theoldbellhotel/1810674
Follow Fleur on Instagram @missfleurdumal and @badflowerburlesque, or on TikTok @missfleurdumal.
