Cheeky girls (From The Northern Echo)

Cheeky girls

11:57am Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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Women who have suffered domestic abuse are turning to Burlesque dancing to boost their confidence. Ruth Addicott speaks to one group taking to the stage this week in Darlington.

STRUTTING across the stage in a corset, stockings and sky-scraper heels may not be the most conventional way to help victims of domestic abuse. Yet, for one group of women in the North-East, it has proved surprisingly effective.

Professional dancer Joanne Forbes, 29, from Darlington, has taught Burlesque to several women who have suffered domestic violence. In fact, it has been such a success, they are performing in a show this week for charity.

“This is not about men perving over women in nipple-tassels, the girls don’t strip,” says Joanne. “It’s about building up their confidence with their bodies and making them feel they are worth something so they can move on.”

The group is performing in a show called The Glass House on Thursday evening, to raise money for Women’s Aid, a national charity which helps women and children escape from domestic abuse.

Statistics show that one in four women experience violence in the home at some point in their lives, with two women killed every week, by either a current or former partner.

It is a subject close to Joanne’s heart, as she was trapped in an abusive relationship. “I went through a very rough period,” she says. “The first time it happened I assumed it was a one-off, but it happened again and again.”

Although she ended the relationship, she suffered from depression and a lack of confidence. She believes it was learning Burlesque that helped her regain her self esteem.

“My belly wobbles like a lava lamp and I’ve got bits I don’t like just like every other girl, but if I can put my corset on and help others, I’m going to do it,” she says.

Joanne came up with the idea last year when she discovered her friend, Sarah, had been through a similar experience.

Sarah, 24, was caught up in a mentally and physically abusive relationship for five years.

After leaving her partner and receiving support from Women’s Aid, she still lacked confidence and asked Joanne if she could help.

They went through some basic Burlesque routines and different postures and gradually, Sarah gained a new lease of life. She now claims if it wasn’t for Joanne, she would never have summoned up the courage to go to the police and sort things out. She even found the confidence to move away and pursue her dream of acting.

❛IT started off with just the two of us, then word spread and all these other girls who’d suffered similar abuse started coming out of the woodwork. One girl was left with an eating disorder because of it. I didn’t charge, we just went through some moves in my dining room,” says Joanne.

Soon, there were half a dozen and Joanne struggled to fit them in.

They’ve since moved to a function room instead.

The Burlesque revival has been gaining momentum for a few years now, but what is it that makes these women feel so empowered?

Joanne says it’s a combination of the friendship, exercise and having fun learning new routines, which has given them a goal and the nudge they needed to move on in their lives. “People think domestic abuse is about getting a good punch in the face, but it’s a lot more than that,” she says.

“One of the girls had been through hell and back. She hardly said a word when she started, she didn’t wear make-up, she didn’t take pride in her appearance at all. The last time I saw her she had a flower in her hair and she was laughing. She even sent an email to say thanks, saying Burlesque had made all the difference.”

“When you put a corset on and start strutting up and down the room in red lipstick, your confidence grows. I don’t know why, but it does,” she says.

Joanne was so impressed by their efforts that, in December, she decided to “throw them in the deep end” and let them perform in front of 250 people (mainly women) at The Cluny in Newcastle. They kept the costs down – got their corsets from Primark – donned their highest heels and it was a resounding success.

“They were amazing,” says Joanne.

It was the success of that show that prompted her to organise this week’s event. There will be 19 acts performing in total and they are hoping to raise £2,000 for Women’s Aid which supports up to 250,000 women and children in Britain each year.

Joanne is careful to point out they will be keeping their corsets on. “It is not a strip show, it’s more tongue-incheek than sleazy,” she says.

As for the physical scars of their past relationships, she says: “It’s just like having a bit of cellulite or bingo wings, you get over it and show off your best bits.”

One of the girls is so taken with burlesque, she has splashed out on a replica Forties’ mic and Joanne’s next plan is to organise a trip to perform for the troops in Afghanistan.

“People are sick of hearing the word ‘charity’. They want something different, something fun,” she says.

■ The Glass House will take place this Thursday at 7pm, at the Albert Hill Working Men’s Club in Darlington. Tickets cost £6 and can be bought from The Wow Factor in the Cornmill or email tobi_james@rocketmail.com

Baby’s best rock music

AFTER a tough day looking after a baby, one of the hardest jobs of all can be getting him or her to sleep at night.

Research shows that soft bedtime music helps many babies to relax and fall asleep more easily, possibly because the womb was far from quiet, and gentle sounds create a more familiar environment than a silent room.

With this in mind, the Sound Asleep CD, which has sold more than 75,000 copies over the past 20 years, has been digitally remastered for the modern market.

It was created by sleep consultant Dr Elizabeth Scott.

Dr Scott, a retired GP now in her 70s, describes babies who are well, clean, comfortable and well-fed but still scream as “healthy howlers”. She says: “It’s a very trying time, and as a mother you go berserk. As a doctor, I used to get mothers coming to me begging for a sleeping draught for babies like this.”

It was only after being left with her grandson, Louis, that she realised the benefits of soothing classical music. “I tried all sorts of music and he just howled louder, and the last thing I tried was a bit of Vivaldi’s Winter, which is a very even beat.

“He just listened to it and fell asleep. I can’t tell you how relieved I was.”

■ The Sound Asleep CD is available from kidsmusicshop.co.uk, priced £7.99, or from amazon.co.uk

Looking for love

AS Valentine’s Day approaches, a North Yorkshire dating company has revealed the top five professions of those looking for love in the region.

The results, based on more than 500 members of The Introduction Company in Brawby, near Malton, have come as a surprise to owner, Lesley Brewer. Lesley set up her business in 2005 to help farmers and other rural professions find love, but teachers, accountants, engineers, members of the legal profession and entrepreneurs currently make up the top five professions who are members of the dating agency.

Stress buster

SOMETIMES, just a few drops of aromatherapy oil is all it takes to relax your body and mind. Vie has a range which features more than 40 essential oils, including its Relaxing Massage Oil, £6.50, Stress Buster Rolling Remedy (great for nerves), £7, and its bestseller, Lavender Pure Essential Oil, £7, for a peaceful night’s sleep. All from Vie at Home. For stockists, call 0845-300-8022 or visit.vieathome.com