Miss Polly Rae

Miss Polly Rae is a singer and dancer based in the United Kingdom and is one of the leading figures on the current burlesque scene.^{[citation needed]}

Miss Polly Rae

Polly Jane Rae was born on 8 July 1981 in Preston, Lancashire. She was educated at Penwortham Girls High School. Her mother (Heather Gillespie (née Rae)), is a Banking Advisor. Her Father (Philip Rae) was a model maker who worked on Ridley Scott's film Alien and for Gerry Anderson's (of Thunderbirds fame) Terrahawks. She also has a Stepfather(Shaun Gillespie)who is a musician along with a younger brother, two stepbrothers (Edward and Philip) and a stepsister (Helen). Along with another member her stepfather and stepbrothers have formed (The Beat Brothers), a very successful (Beatles) tribute band who regularly perform at the world renowned Cavern Club in Liverpool.

Burlesque career

Polly's burlesque career began in 2006 after seeing a poster for a burlesque course run by Jo King and the London Academy of Burlesque at Danceworks studios.^[1] She attended the course and completely inspired by Jo and her teachings she decided to form her 7 girl troupe Hurly Burly (including herself). The girleys currently are: Jennifer White, Sarah Louise Buckle, Katie Ella, Sophie Zucchini, Fallon Donakey, Kathryn McLauglin and fronted, of course, by Polly Rae. Taking creative inspiration from iconic 40s and 50s pin-ups such as Bettie Page, Tempest Storm and Marilyn Monroe to modern artists like Madonna and revue shows such as Le Crazy Horse in Paris, their very first show was held at the Soho Revue Bar (formerly the infamous Raymond Revue Bar) in Soho on 19 April 2006. It was such a roaring success that it led to a residency at the bar, another residency at Volupte (a burlesque supper club in the heart of the legal district) - and then a move to the Leicester Square Theatre in London's West End. This show received excellent acclaim from several critics including The Stage and What's On Stage.

Polly his famed for her vocal ability and sings songs by the likes of Peggy Lee, Shirley Bassey, Mae West and Doris Day.

In 2007 Hurly Burly won Best Troupe at the Ministry Of Burlesque awards. They have appeared several times on the Alan Titchmarsh Show and opened the Prima Fashion Awards.

Miss Polly has had much solo success so far also. In 2007 she was recruited as part of a touring performance team for Agent Provocateur and appeared on the Paul O'Grady show.

In 2008 she became the face of the No 1 Eidos computer game Battlestations Pacific as a wartime sweetheart.^[2]

Miss Polly Rae and her Hurly Burly Girlys have collectively worked alongside Dusty Limits, Frisky and Mannish, Ivy Paige, Lady Carol, Stewart Pemberton, Frank Sanazi and James Devine.

Polly has also appeared in music videos for The Holloways, Mickey Modelle ft. Jesse and most recently in Kasabian's "Where Did All the Love Go?".

She also performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall alongside Bellowhead and sang Happy Birthday to Muhammad Al Fayed's son.^[3]

February 2010 brought the launch of "Miss Polly Rae: The All New Hurly Burly Show", with special guest act Elouise, directed by William Baker. His 15-year career spans the arts from celebrated stylist and photographer to author and West End director. Critically acclaimed as Creative Director for Kylie Minogue and collaborations with numerous other artists including Britney Spears, Bjork and Jamiroquai. Baker focused his gold star standards on the show with original direction, set design and couture outfits – all the high end production values that London’s West End is famed for, something new for London’s modern burlesque genre. Musical direction was by producer, remixer and songwriter Steve Anderson who has worked on records by Kylie Minogue, Take That, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Paul McCartney and The Pet Shop Boys. The show received high acclaim from critics Michael Billington (The Daily Mail) and Charles Spencer (The Telegraph), amongst others, and it has returned to the Garrick Theatre in the West End, newly named ‘The Hurly Burly Show’, until May 2011.

References

1. ^ http://www.timeout.com/london/cabaret/features/4461/Miss_Polly_Rae_and_her_Hurly_Burly_Girlys.html
2. ^ http://www.gameslave.co.uk/newscomments.cfm?news=8103&title=Battlestations-Pacific-Polly-Rae-Screenshots
3. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XN66bpmIoE&feature=related

1. http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/mar/03/miss-polly-rae-hurly-burly-show
2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/7317646/The-All-New-Hurly-Burly-Show-at-Leicester-Square-Theatre-review.html
3. http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/feb/26/miss-polly-rae-review
4. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2868509/Kylie-Minogue-watches-burlesque-extravaganza-The-Hurly-Burly-Show.html

External links

• Hurly Burly Website
• William Shoot Video
• [Miss Polly Rae Is The News - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrgEcl4QwIg]
• [Miss Polly Rae On Pineapple Dance Studios - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gzZj5CU308]

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Name	Rae, Polly
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Date of birth	1981
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