Peachy keen
BANBURY CROSS • Palace Theatre
WORK • Wednesday Routine
BANBURY CROSS • burlesque showgirl & cabaret director • Palace Theatre
Neighborhood you work in: North Beach
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
My days are a mix of producing, rehearsing, and performing. On any given morning, you’ll find me coordinating rehearsals, checking costume details, communicating with performers, and preparing for my own performances later in the week. The atmosphere is equal parts creative chaos and precision, one moment we’re discussing lighting cues, the next we’re adjusting crystals on a costume.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today is all about rehearsal and show preparation for our debut of Bohemienne, a show we just ran and will bring back later in the summer. We’re refining production elements, and making sure every detail is ready for our audience. A large part of my role involves balancing the feel and flow of the group acts within the show juxtaposed with my performance and getting into that mindset. Right this second, I’m likely juggling emails, rehearsal schedules, and notes on acts while planning some ideas for future programming.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
In Oakland I love Tallboy; who doesn’t want to drown in a giant martini and vegan hotdog? In the city, I usually pop in to Li Po Lounge for a drink or stroll to the Ferry Building. I love Lunette’s Cambodian food.
How about a little leisure or culture?
My life revolves around live performance, so even my leisure time tends to include some form of culture. I love catching local cabaret, theater, live music, and immersive experiences around the Bay Area and outside of it. 200Channels, where I also perform, transforms the speakeasy space next to The Pawn Shop into an immersive cabaret. In Brooklyn, I love to go to House of Yes and Red Pavilion. When I need a reset, I enjoy getting outside near the water, whether that’s a walk along the Embarcadero, or simply taking in the views around Alameda.
Any weekend getaways?
A favorite quick getaway is day trips down the coast. It’s close enough to make for a spontaneous day but always feels like an escape. I love combining great food and being by the sea, it’s always reminiscent of England for me. Pescadero is super cute and Half Moon Bay has great food options like a bowl of chowder at Barbara’s Fish Trap.
What was your last great vacation?
I just got back from a lovely holiday in Honolulu and Maui. There are so many excellent places to eat, drink and spend time. The standouts for me were Skull & Crown Trading Co, a tiki bar in the Chinatown district of Honolulu that serves an amazing clarified zombie. Down the street is a cute little vintage shop called Single Double. Lastly, for dining, I’ll jump to Maui where Tiffany’s had some of the best food and drinks of the trip.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
A custom acrylic champagne glass designed for my 80s Centrefold performance, along with several recent bespoke feather and Swarovski-crystal costumes and jewelry handmade in Italy. Investing in pieces and props that are beautifully made and uniquely mine makes every performance feel a little more magical.