BURLESQUE IN NEW ORLEANS
PERFORMER PROFILE: PINKY DeVILLE
The Questionnaire: Pinky DeVille
UAN: Hi! Could you quickly introduce yourself? What are you known for and which shows do you produce/regularly appear on?
PdV: Pinky DeVille! The Brit that just won't quit, producer of Burning Hell Burlesque & Variété DeVille at Allways Lounge, and Backstage Burlesque at Toulouse Theatre.
Let's go back...what are your earliest memories of seeing performance, what first inspired you?
Being a wee tiny thing back home in England, and seeing a very old verson of Top of The Pops on TV with Marc Bolan/T-Rex covered in glitter, feather boas and a guitar, that was most likely my first memory of seeing a peformance and being very inspired, and a tiny bit in love. Shame he'd died over a decade before I was born
Was there a decisive moment that made you think: "I can do that!"? How did you feel when you made that life choice?
I can't remember a specific moment, however I'm very tenacious and have never backed down from something I really really wanted to do! And with every time I got opportunity to be on stage, that feeling got worse and worse!
Where and on which shows did you learn your trade? Who were your early inspirations or mentors?
I started burlesque entirely by accident ... My younger sister asked me to accompany her to a local burlesque dance class, which I did, and evidently got carried away! I performed at their class showcases, then I did solos, then I got booked at other people's shows in Sheffield, across the UK, Europe.... I got very carried away! I've always looked up to the neo-burlesque legends of the modern revival, such as Kitten DeVille, and I always always kept an eye on what performers in New Orleans were doing, as it is such a hub for creative talent. I've also always pulled a lot of inspiration from musicians - the theatricality & campy horror of Alice Cooper, the over the top ridiculous glam of hair metal band videos..... and that still stands today! I also doubt I would be who I am if Momma DeVille (Barbara) hadn't let me watch Rocky Horror at such an early age.
Tell us about performing at your first paid show, how were you feeling?
I wasn't nervous but I was steely. I wanted to do a great job, but also knew in my heart of heart I wasn't where I wanted to be yet (although is any artist ever satisfied with their work?)
How is the New Orleans show scene different to where you spent your formative years?
I first visited in 2017 and watched one of Bella Blue's shows live, after having spent many years previously watching the scene via youtube! It has changed so so much since then, and even since getting my artist visa and becoming part of the scene it has changed multiple times over! However I have loved every iteration of it. New Orleans has so much more depth and bredth to it's scene compared to my experiences back home. I can see award winning worthy performances here at a dive bar on a Tuesday!
What are the best and most annoying things about a performer life?
Best: Applause (is that a praise kink??), working with my talented and silly friends all the time, opportunity to spend life creatively. Annoying: Rhinestones in places rhinestones should never be, pastie tape never working properly during New Orleans summers.
What's the most esoteric/out there act you've ever done? What's the weirdest act you've ever seen?
For me, probably being dressed in a teddy bear onesie stripping in unison with other bears to Funky Cold Medina (not my act, but I signed up to be involved! the 2010s were a wild time...).
Do you spend a lot of time experimenting/coming up with new acts or costumes when you're not working? Do you try out areas of performance that you're not traditionally associated with or that you're less familiar with?
I do! I really feel experimentation and play is the key to developing - I'm always working on new costumes, I'd really like to learn knife throwing, I've had some vocal coaching/singing lessons, and I've recently picked my guitar back up!
Time to name some names. Where do you like to go for fancy feasts, casual bites, cocktails and a post-show beer/wind down?
Fancy feasts - honestly I'm not a fancy fancy girlie! But I can talk to you all day about my favourite New Orleans dive bars! The Saint, Tuff Break, Redux, and on days where bad decisions have been made, Ms Maes.
What's the most memorable performing experience you've ever had? Big stage? Small intimate show? Weird venue?
Blackpool Tower Ballroom. A huge ornate room back home in England, it was like performing in anpther century, incredible.
Thank you so much for joining us! Plug any upcoming shows that you want to!
New show at Toulouse theatre for 2026! Click here
More performers!
UAN: Hi! Could you quickly introduce yourself? What are you known for and which shows do you produce/regularly appear on?
PdV: Pinky DeVille! The Brit that just won't quit, producer of Burning Hell Burlesque & Variété DeVille at Allways Lounge, and Backstage Burlesque at Toulouse Theatre.
Let's go back...what are your earliest memories of seeing performance, what first inspired you?
Being a wee tiny thing back home in England, and seeing a very old verson of Top of The Pops on TV with Marc Bolan/T-Rex covered in glitter, feather boas and a guitar, that was most likely my first memory of seeing a peformance and being very inspired, and a tiny bit in love. Shame he'd died over a decade before I was born
Was there a decisive moment that made you think: "I can do that!"? How did you feel when you made that life choice?
I can't remember a specific moment, however I'm very tenacious and have never backed down from something I really really wanted to do! And with every time I got opportunity to be on stage, that feeling got worse and worse!
Where and on which shows did you learn your trade? Who were your early inspirations or mentors?
I started burlesque entirely by accident ... My younger sister asked me to accompany her to a local burlesque dance class, which I did, and evidently got carried away! I performed at their class showcases, then I did solos, then I got booked at other people's shows in Sheffield, across the UK, Europe.... I got very carried away! I've always looked up to the neo-burlesque legends of the modern revival, such as Kitten DeVille, and I always always kept an eye on what performers in New Orleans were doing, as it is such a hub for creative talent. I've also always pulled a lot of inspiration from musicians - the theatricality & campy horror of Alice Cooper, the over the top ridiculous glam of hair metal band videos..... and that still stands today! I also doubt I would be who I am if Momma DeVille (Barbara) hadn't let me watch Rocky Horror at such an early age.
Tell us about performing at your first paid show, how were you feeling?
I wasn't nervous but I was steely. I wanted to do a great job, but also knew in my heart of heart I wasn't where I wanted to be yet (although is any artist ever satisfied with their work?)
How is the New Orleans show scene different to where you spent your formative years?
I first visited in 2017 and watched one of Bella Blue's shows live, after having spent many years previously watching the scene via youtube! It has changed so so much since then, and even since getting my artist visa and becoming part of the scene it has changed multiple times over! However I have loved every iteration of it. New Orleans has so much more depth and bredth to it's scene compared to my experiences back home. I can see award winning worthy performances here at a dive bar on a Tuesday!
What are the best and most annoying things about a performer life?
Best: Applause (is that a praise kink??), working with my talented and silly friends all the time, opportunity to spend life creatively. Annoying: Rhinestones in places rhinestones should never be, pastie tape never working properly during New Orleans summers.
What's the most esoteric/out there act you've ever done? What's the weirdest act you've ever seen?
For me, probably being dressed in a teddy bear onesie stripping in unison with other bears to Funky Cold Medina (not my act, but I signed up to be involved! the 2010s were a wild time...).
Do you spend a lot of time experimenting/coming up with new acts or costumes when you're not working? Do you try out areas of performance that you're not traditionally associated with or that you're less familiar with?
I do! I really feel experimentation and play is the key to developing - I'm always working on new costumes, I'd really like to learn knife throwing, I've had some vocal coaching/singing lessons, and I've recently picked my guitar back up!
Time to name some names. Where do you like to go for fancy feasts, casual bites, cocktails and a post-show beer/wind down?
Fancy feasts - honestly I'm not a fancy fancy girlie! But I can talk to you all day about my favourite New Orleans dive bars! The Saint, Tuff Break, Redux, and on days where bad decisions have been made, Ms Maes.
What's the most memorable performing experience you've ever had? Big stage? Small intimate show? Weird venue?
Blackpool Tower Ballroom. A huge ornate room back home in England, it was like performing in anpther century, incredible.
Thank you so much for joining us! Plug any upcoming shows that you want to!
New show at Toulouse theatre for 2026! Click here
More performers!