WITH nipple tassels here, a garter belt there and raised eyebrows everywhere, burlesque has made its mark on Colchester.

“It’s not so much strip than tease,” explains Alex Davis, one quarter of the burlesque troupe Helles Belles.

Sat around a table sipping coffee in a cafe, the girls look like many others enjoying a leisurely breakfast on a sunny morning in Colchester.

But behind the day jobs and children, Alex, Holly Barret, Emmanuelle Carvell and Jade Channon entertain those who like to be titilated through suggestion and expression in a proper 1940s-style burlesque show.

They know it’s not for everyone, but they are passionate about what they do.

Holly says: “A lot of people think burlesque is all high-class polished and showy, but it’s actually more tongue-in-cheek than that. You are engaging with the audience, showing your personality.

“Burlesque is traditional. It’s about having fun.”

Jade, 28, adds: “It’s not about getting male attention and most of our audience are women. It’s good to see women supporting other women.”

Using the suggestion of something naughty, burlesque tells a story through a character dressed provocatively or saucily on stage.

Each of the Helles Belles girls have their own characters, who dress differently and have different personalities.

Yes, there is flesh on show, but it is more about the anticipation of seeing it, than actually seeing it. So although there is an element of striptease, burlesque hides the naughty bits behind props, challenging the audience to ask for more, say the girls.

While all the girls had an interest in all things vintage and the era of burlesque, none had any experience of the art itself before forming the group.

Jade, who works in natural cosmetics shop Lush, was the instigator, bringing like-minded girls together to have some fun.

She explains: “I hadn’t done burlesque before but I really wanted to do it so I called a meeting through 15 Queen Street and ten people turned up. After that first meeting there was just the four of us and it stuck. We did it as a bit of fun and didn’t know what we would get out of it but now we are performing in shows and have even been asked to perform at a wedding.”

Alex, 27, co-ordinator at 15 Queen Street in Colchester, adds: “We’ve been together for about a year now.”

Mum-of-two Emmanuelle, 31, continues: “My two girls watch me rehearse and my eldest, who is five, tells me the bits she likes and doesn’t like. Just because I am a mum it shouldn’t mean I can’t have my own passion. It’s part of me.

“I think it’s a positive message for some mums who feel they want to, but can’t do certain things because they have children,” says Emmanuelle, a former professional dancer and choreographer who now works at HSBC.

“Burlesque is a form of escapism,” she adds. “It means my life is not all about housework, school and children. It’s my way of losing myself.”

The group aim to perform one show a month as well as perfoming for private parties, functions and wedding fairs. Alex most recently performed her routine at A Most Curious Wedding Fair and the group has had its first booking for a wedding in Colchester in September.

Holly, 26, who works in Boots, feels her character is an extension of herself rather than being an alter ego.

She says: “I don’t think you need lessons. They are good if you want to polish your act, but everyone is different. No one can tell you what your character should be. I don’t turn into my character, it’s more my character is an extension of myself.”

The girls admit they were all nervous about first performing in front of each other and at their first performances, revealing that some of their shows are in front of a very few people who “just don’t get it”, says Emmanuelle.

“There have been times when we reach the end of the routine and there is just silence.”

They add there is no pre-requisite to be tall, thin and full breasted to be successful in burlesque.

Holly adds: “I think curvier women ooze more sexuality. It’s all about confidence.”

Helles Belles are performing at the Red Lion Hotel, Colchester, on Friday, May 17, from 8.30pm. Tickets cost £5 online or £7 on the door. Visit www.helles belles.co.uk