by Pamela Reynolds and Lauren Lamar

‘Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world’ I

T’S A PRETTY sweeping claim. But there are night life aficionados who consider Club Noir at the O2 Academy in Glasgow the best Burlesque cabaret show in the world. Certainly, it is among the biggest and longest running shows of its kind – two showbiz barometers of popularity that command respect.

Burlesque can trace its origins back to the 1800s, although its first real heyday as a form of popular entertainment was in the first half of the 20th century. It was intended to cock a snook at the Establishment, lampoon the powerful and puncture the pomposity of anyone wielding authority.

Photos: Mike Bishop

It is no surprise, therefore, that notoriously tough to please Glasgow audiences have taken to the genre. They like their meat raw. Showbiz stars dine out on their Glasgow experiences. Singer and comedian Des O’Conner famously pretended to faint on stage to escape their clutches and touring variety acts claimed no turn was ever leſt unstoned.

Since launched in 2004 by Tina Warren August 2015 53