1. Costume 2. Accessories 3. Makeup 4. Script or music 5. Actions
1. Costume: I design my own costumes and have them made by either a very dear friend (who is my constant inspiration and encourage- ment) or occasionally by a theatrical dressmaker to obtain special effects. My designs are based on what I propose to perform and my observations in Europe, Australia and the East. I have some basic leotards, cut low to expose the cleavage and cut high on the hips, French style to further lengthen the legs. Trim and accessories are added as required lace, sequins, bustles and feathers. My basic leotards are emerald green satin, black velvet and scarlet lamé. My other costumes generally have a high neck, with ruffles, long sleeves and very, very brief skirts. An- other show like Madame Arthur's, which I visit frequently is 'Les Girls' in Sydney, a highly sophisticated and polished all-male F.I. show.
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One important point about costume is to thoroughly clean and press it after each performance so that it is immaculate and "chic."
2. Accessories: I decide on what is required to give best effect without becoming distracting, and often talk them over with this very dear friend of mine a wonderful woman. Usually, with my very brief leotards, I wear white gloves almost shoulder length, natural or neutral sheer tights, long pendant rhinestone earrings, and 31⁄2" high heels with black patent leather court shoes. I buy the tights from Fredericks of Hollywood or Weiss of London. I never wear anything that jingles or bracelets. I always wear rings which seldom show-one gold wedding ring given me by a French Artiste friend who is a lesbian, one gold wedding ring of my grandmother's, given me by my mother and one white wedding ring from my dear friend. When alive, my mother always encouraged me and was interested in all the details. With some costumes, I wear a large emerald stone on the outside of my gloves, but only in sophisticated street-style dress when I carry a long handled umbrella and handbag. The high heels emphasize the shape of my legs. Sometimes I wear a large black cartwheel hat and in my black and white striped cos- tume, a brilliant red rose over the left breast. I quite often wear a wide black patent leather belt with dress and in leotards, a black throat ribbon with streamers at the back and a "brilliant" at the throat.
I have two wigs, good ones, carefully hand made and exactly matching the color of my own hair. I keep them on wig heads in wig cases and have them professionally styled, set and cleaned. In the first instance
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