Club Noir - A Night at the Opera

Still going strong after 6 years, Club Noir stages its first collaboration with Scottish Opera. Tina Warren tells all.

Feature by David McNally | 13 Aug 2010

One might think it's a drag to run the world's biggest burlesque night (check Guinness if you doubt the superlative there), but Tina Warren, who's been behind Club Noir since its inception back in 2004, says otherwise. "Just the other day I was instructing this young man to touch the breasts of one of our dancers - lovely breasts they were too - and I had to stop and think to myself: I have the best job in the world!"

Six years ago the social landscape was very different in Scotland and Tina and her business partner were astute enough to see what was missing. "There were loads of clubs but that was it. We were the first cabaret club in Glasgow of this era and people seemed to have an appetite for it. Burlesque has obviously been around for a long time, myself and my girlfriends have always loved it, so I'm not personally surprised that we took off the way we did. But I never dreamed we'd become as successful as we are or last as long as we have."

Does that affect your attitude when putting together a show? "I think it's very healthy, we always think every show could be the last one we ever do and that spurs us on to make it as special as possible."

The upcoming show, at the HMV Picture House in the middle of Fringe season, promises to be a special one indeed. "It's a beautiful venue with the red and gold stage, theatrical curtains...I'm so looking forward to it. And they are as keen for it to work as we are, like all venues these days they know they need to diversify."

Hooking up with Scottish Opera adds a certain something as well. "I know, how good is that? They've been wonderful. Before we started working with them, we thought be might have to bargain with them, as regards the songs used and so on, but they have totally got it. Our outlooks have gelled so well."

Should people get out the powdered wigs and regency finery then? "Absolutely! I haven't obviously been as a punter but I've heard that Club Noir nights are great for hooking up, and what a great conversation starter - love your beauty mark!"

Quite. On the theme of curation, is there a masterplan when it comes to putting a night together? "How do we curate the shows? Well it tends to be quite seasonal. For Valentines we chose a Venetian theme, you know, very romantic. In the summer, since a lot of people can't afford to go away we said, come have your holiday with us, get your bikini on, your fake tan, we'll supply the cheesy summer music! This Fringe show is tied together with the Opera but we're mixing it up too. We asked some breakdancers to put together a routine to opera music so I can't wait to see what they come up with. It will have the theme of Opera but without losing our humour - and Scottish Opera are with us on that too. You still need humour, sex, raunchiness, all that. We like to remind people that sex isn't always as straightforward as all that - there's a nanny act which seems to be opening up a lot of guys minds, like oh my god I cant believe I'm attracted to this nanny!"

And on that note...