Saturday 8 November in Derbyshire felt alive again as Valley One returned to Shirland Miners Welfare for a free gig…
By K Futur LOCALThis Halloween, Derby’s cabaret scene is set to take a deliciously dark turn. On Friday 31st October, Bad Flower Burlesque will transform the Chapel Street Arts Centre into a world of gothic glamour, eerie elegance and devilish delight with their brand-new production, The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue.
Described as “a night full of thrills and chills”, this one-of-a-kind Halloween show promises to be a spellbinding celebration of local talent — fusing burlesque, drag, poetry and live performance into a cabaret of the uncanny. Expect feathers, fire, fangs and fierce artistry from some of the most electrifying performers in the East Midlands and beyond.
Derby’s Homegrown Cabaret Movement Blossoms
Since its formation in 2022, Bad Flower Burlesque — helmed by the inimitable Fleur du Mal, Derby’s own queen of cabaret — has become a vital force in the region’s underground performance circuit. Known for their daring blend of sensuality, satire and self-expression, the troupe has previously graced iconic Derby venues including The Hairy Dog and Derby Gaol, building a loyal following along the way.
But the upcoming Revue marks a major new chapter: their first full-scale theatre production. It’s an ambitious step that will see Bad Flower Burlesque bring its signature chaos and charm to a larger stage, proving that Derby’s creative scene can rival any major city for sheer artistic flair.
“Our mission has always been to spotlight local talent,” says Fleur du Mal. “Derby and the East Midlands are bursting with incredible performers — they just need a platform. We’re here to make sure they get it.”
True to that vision, The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue features a lineup that’s both fiercely local and internationally acclaimed.
The Frightfully Fabulous Lineup
Among the evening’s stars is Cadbury Parfait, the Classic Tease serving British Sleaze — an award-winning, world-renowned burlesque artist who was recently voted the 31st most influential performer in the world and 3rd most influential in the UK. Expect wit, glamour and a masterclass in tease from one of Britain’s brightest burlesque icons.
Romeo De La Cruz, Derby’s OG drag kxng and bxylesquer, brings their signature mix of movement, masculinity and mischief to the stage. A veteran of the UK and European queer arts scene, Romeo’s performances are known for pushing boundaries and celebrating the beauty of self-expression — and they’re a firm favourite with Bad Flower Burlesque audiences.
Adding a macabre poetic twist to proceedings is Dan Webber, appearing as his undead alter ego The Bad Bard. Known across Derbyshire for his evocative spoken word performances, Dan describes this ghostly persona as “the Verse-Top to Shakespeare’s Bottom” — expect sonnets with bite and rhythm with a resurrection.
From Nottingham, Profanity Pin Up brings dynamic energy and unapologetic charisma to the Revue. A rising star in the UK cabaret circuit, Profanity’s performances are packed with personality, flair and pure show-stopping presence.
Sharing the stage is the fiendishly magnetic Coffin Goblin, who promises to unleash “feminine rage, unhinged feral energy, and alluring dark morbidity” in a set that blends the grotesque with the glamorous. As Nottingham’s self-proclaimed “most notorious Goblin”, their act perfectly embodies the Halloween spirit — bold, bizarre and beautifully twisted.
And, making their grand debut, the Bad Flower Baddies — a troupe of first-time performers trained through Bad Flower Burlesque’s local classes. This marks their first-ever stage appearance, offering audiences a glimpse into Derby’s next generation of burlesque brilliance.
Naturally, the evening wouldn’t be complete without Fleur du Mal herself. Known as “the Slow-Burn Seductress” after nearly two decades of performing across the UK and Europe, Fleur will host the event with her trademark mix of elegance and edge — and may even step back into the spotlight for a special performance.
A Theatre of Temptation and Terror
The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue will take place at Chapel Street Arts Centre, a venue fast gaining a reputation as a hub for alternative arts and performance in the city. With doors opening at 7pm and the show beginning at 7.30pm, audiences can choose between standard seated tickets (£20) or VIP tabled seats (£25), which include priority seating for groups of four.
The event is strictly 18+, featuring partial nudity, gore and horror themes — this is burlesque at its most daring and deliciously dark.
For those seeking a Halloween night that’s equal parts sultry and spine-chilling, this promises to be the ultimate Derby experience. It’s not just a show — it’s a statement. A celebration of local creativity, self-expression, and the power of performance to both entertain and empower.
So, dress to impress (or distress), grab your tickets, and prepare for a night where every act will make your pulse quicken — and your goosebumps glow.
The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue
📍 Chapel Street Arts Centre, Derby
📅 Friday 31st October 2025
⏰ Doors: 7pm | Show: 7.30pm
🎟️ Tickets: Standard £20 | VIP £25 (tables of 4)
🔞 18+ only — contains partial nudity, gore, and horror themes
🎟️ Get tickets here
📲 Follow on Instagram: @badflowerburlesque
