SC: What do you say to people who simplify what you do as “taking your clothes off for money”? Do you get that a lot?

AH: People often think that I’m every feminist’s worst nightmare, harming myself half naked for the pleasure of complete strangers in an audience, but it is precisely the opposite. I began doing sideshow, (not only because of my complete incompetence in the art of burlesque de-robing, but), precisely BECAUSE women are subjugated in media. Hugh Hefner, when explaining why he chose the bunny as the symbol for Playboy, famously said “men are not interested in the mysterious femme fatale” and proceeded to explain the attractiveness of docility. I decided to give that notion the old two fingers, and combined the mysterious femme fatale, with raw sexuality on stage, and earn money from it, to create, really (dare I say it…I’m going to get chased down the street by Birkenstock-wearing KD Lang fans for this now aren’t I?) the ultimate feminist character.

I’ve had a lot of abuse over social media for my supposedly offensive reign of semi nudity – which I shall be posting on a blog very shortly, watch my Twitter for updates on release 😉

SC: You’ve also done tribute acts in the past – most notably Jessica Alba’s Nancy Callaghan from Sin City. What’s your proudest piece of work and any exciting plans for future acts?

AH: I’d probably say my proudest piece thus far is in fact the above mentioned, it was the most fun to create and a character that I could just play rather than fabricate myself. As a die hard comic book fan, this was pretty awesome to be able to do, and she’s one of my favourite, albeit underrated badass graphic novel females. I have a very exciting tribute to the film “Drive” coming up, as well as an array of other very exciting projects, including a double act with a professional strong man, and my troupe Haus of O… Expect whips, knives, snakes, swarovskis, latex, lace, feathers, pyrotechnics, strength fetes and aerial acrobatics 😉

SC: What’s it typically like backstage in your line of work? Do performers generally get along or does the competitive nature get in the way of friendships?

I’ve been on both sides of the spectrum, and they definitely do exist in completely polarised opposition to each other. I worked for a club in Mayfair for two years where I was more or less bullied by the other girls, who were sadly a pack of mean girls style vessels of insecurity and malice. I was turned on by my very best friends and it was sincerely some of the worst treatment I’d ever had both on and off stage. However, there is always light at the end of the tunnel and all be it an upwards struggle I’ve made it to the ranks of real, happy and secure cabaret and circus performers who are just absolute darlings. At my residency Proud cabaret, I get the pleasure of working with more or less a rotation of my best friends. Not just the performers, but the waitresses, the tech crew, and even the big boss man, daddy Proud (Alexander Proud, of four rooms), is an absolute sweetheart, who is not only my boss, but genuinely a good friend. Contrary to the (very much proven in my experience) notion of club owners being pompous sanctimonious pricks with little man syndrome, Alex has to be the most incredibly humble, cheeky and caring boss I’ve worked for. I also have a fantastic residency, with much the same family environment in Supper Club Amsterdam, and Cuckoo club, Mayfair.