Bad Flower Burlesque Revue: Derby’s Darkest Halloween Cabaret Dazzles at Chapel Street Arts Centre

When it comes to Halloween in Derby, few events manage to strike the perfect balance between glamour, camp, horror and heart quite like The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue. Held at the Chapel Street Arts Centre and hosted by the incomparable Fleur du Mal, this spine-tingling spectacle delivered a night of music, tease, poetry and performance art that left the audience bewitched. Marketed as “Derby’s darkest Halloween cabaret show”, the evening lived up to every promise – a feast of creativity that showcased the very best of Derby’s thriving alternative arts scene.

A night in three acts

Divided into three parts, the show unfurled like a decadent gothic novel – equal parts sensual, theatrical and wickedly funny. As host, Fleur du Mal anchored the evening with sharp wit and commanding stage presence, introducing each act with the ease of a seasoned showwoman and an affectionate nod to the local crowd. Between acts, Fleur’s charisma and quick humour kept the energy high and the audience laughing.

Part One: From Derby Rams to Burlesque Royalty

Opening the show in unmistakable Derby style, Fleur du Mal appeared in a stylised Derby Ram costume – horns and all – to perform a parody of Wham’s I’m Your Man, cheekily rewritten as I’m Your Ram. Laced with references to local landmarks, the number was both hilarious and oddly touching, serving as a love letter to the city. The audience roared with laughter, setting the tone for the night ahead.

Next up was Profanity Pin Up, who lit up the stage with an Elvis-themed burlesque routine that blended Vegas glitz with retro sass. Dressed in an iconic jumpsuit, she danced with all the swagger of the King himself – a playful, upbeat act that bridged classic pop culture and contemporary burlesque.

Coffin Goblin followed with their first of two standout performances -a “draglesque” tribute to Pearl, mixing lip sync, striptease and film homage in equal measure. For those familiar with Ti West’s horror gem, the references landed perfectly, while newcomers were drawn in by Coffin Goblin’s camp charisma.

Rounding off the first section was Cadbury Parfait with a deliciously over-the-top act set to Etta James’ I Just Wanna Make Love to You. Using a giant lipstick prop and a wink to old-school burlesque, Parfait’s performance was pure, joyful excess – a vibrant display that reminded everyone just how varied the art of tease can be.

Part Two: Thorns, Verse and the Bad Flower Baddies

The second act began on a darker note as Fleur returned to the stage with an enigmatic number involving rose petals, thorns and a literal bed of roses. Equal parts beautiful and unsettling, it played with pain and glamour – a haunting metaphor for resilience, or perhaps love’s sting. The slow, deliberate pacing left the crowd enthralled.

Poet Dan Webber, performing as The Bad Bard, brought a fresh burst of variety with a surf-rock lip sync and a collection of cleverly crafted poems. Blending humour, vulnerability and local flavour, Webber’s set struck a perfect balance between performance art and heartfelt confession.

Then came The Bad Flower Baddies – a newly formed troupe of Bad Flower Burlesque students making their debut. Their classic-style routine, full of sparkle and synchronicity, was met with cheers and applause. Despite being newcomers, their polish and confidence made them feel right at home on the stage.

Romeo De La Cruz followed with a neo-burlesque piece steeped in introspection and movement. Entering the stage by crawling, Romeo’s physical storytelling embodied inner struggle and dark allure. Masked but emotionally raw, it was the perfect fit for a Halloween show, equal parts haunting and hypnotic.

To close Part Two, Coffin Goblin returned with a daring ritualistic performance – a satanic-themed act involving blood, sacrifice and a metaphorical devouring of love itself. The finale, where Coffin Goblin consumed a bloody heart, drew gasps from the audience. It was unapologetically grotesque and brilliant – true “gorelesque” artistry.

Part Three: Witches, Milk and the Mac Mystique

The final section opened with Fleur du Mal’s stunning rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s Silver Springs. Beginning as a soft, ethereal ballad, it transformed into a storm of emotion as Fleur invited the audience to join in a collective hex – a nod to the song’s long-rumoured curse. As haze filled the stage and lighting shimmered, it was one of the most visually powerful moments of the night.

Profanity Pin Up returned with a witch-themed debut act to Frank Sinatra’s Witchcraft. Clad in a stunning silhouette-hugging costume, she embodied the spirit of vintage Halloween glamour. The act was spellbinding yet playful, a love letter to retro burlesque aesthetics.

Romeo De La Cruz then revisited the stage for another introspective number, inspired by the 2024 film Nosferatu. Exploring the themes of forbidden desire and obsession, Romeo’s precise movements and eerie calm created a hypnotic tension – a true dance-theatre moment that captivated the room.

Cadbury Parfait closed the evening’s solo performances with what may be the most outrageous act of the night – a camp, politically charged satire of Margaret Thatcher as the infamous “Milk Snatcher”. Stripping down from a tailored blue suit and handbag to pour milk over herself, Parfait’s performance was part pantomime, part protest, and wholly unforgettable. The audience’s laughter and boos blended into thunderous applause.

Fleur du Mal then brought the evening to a high-energy finale with a fierce cover of Republica’s Drop Dead Gorgeous. The crowd was on their feet as all the performers returned to take a final bow – a fittingly flamboyant close to a night that celebrated art, individuality and community.

A true Derby showcase

What set The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue apart was not just its range of talent, but its heart. As one audience member put it:

“The hosting throughout showed high enthusiasm and support for each performer, but also for the night itself; there was good audience interaction and a nice level of participation that didn’t feel forced or unwelcome.”

Another highlight was the show’s diversity – both in the artists and the art forms themselves. From drag to poetry, striptease to live vocals, every act felt distinct yet connected by a shared love of performance.

A special mention must go to stage kitten Minnie Misdemeanour, who stepped in at the last minute and handled the demanding job of managing props and costumes with charm and efficiency – all while looking the part in an adorable Halloween cat ensemble. The lighting and tech team also deserve praise for enhancing every mood, whether eerie, sultry or electric, with seamless cues and evocative atmospherics.

The result was a night that truly catered to everyone – from die-hard burlesque aficionados to curious newcomers. It was Derby cabaret at its finest: inclusive, daring and deeply entertaining.

Looking ahead: Ballroom Glitz at The Old Bell Hotel

If The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue was a celebration of darkness and decadence, the next instalment promises pure opulence. Ballroom Glitz, taking place on Saturday 27th December in the Grand Regency Ballroom of The Old Bell Hotel, will once again be hosted by the incomparable Fleur du Mal. Featuring a glittering lineup that includes Roxi Kixx, Jada Love, Axolotl Full Throttle and Sasha Le Swank, it’s set to be a dazzling winter showcase of burlesque, cabaret and charm in one of Derby’s most historic venues.

After the Halloween triumph at Chapel Street, expectations are sky-high – and if The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue proved anything, it’s that Derby’s cabaret scene is alive, thriving, and utterly unmissable.

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