Cat LaCohie, a London-based actress of over 12 years, moved her diverse performing career across the Atlantic to Los Angeles in 2012.

With roles varying from the transsexual ‘Charlotte’ in Gordon Bressack’s play, “Missing Dick” to the infamous ‘Miss Scarlet’ in the stage version of “Clue,” Cat’s most recent acting challenge is playing female lead ‘Katie Michaels’ in British action feature film, ‘301 Troop: Arawn Rising’ with Only The New Breed Productions, to be released late 2014.

Cat also made a name for herself in the Burlesque world under the name, ‘Vixen DeVille’, performing as core member of London’s longest running burlesque cabaret troupes, ‘The Kitten Club’, alongside numerous solo guest appearances.

Vixen joined Cat in her relocation to LA in 2012 and has since been the resident host of monthly ‘Sultry Sweet Burlesque and Variety Show’, guest host for ‘MYTH’ at Anime Expo 2013, has appeared on TV’s ‘The Jeff Probst Show’ and is a regular performer with ‘The Dollface Dames’, ‘Vaudeville Sideshow’, ‘Bourbon Nights’ and ‘The Hollywood Follies’.

Vixen also teaches Burlesque, both as group classes and private coaching as part of ‘The Burlesque Academy’ in Hollywood.

Both Cat and Vixen were equally awarded the title of ‘Miss England’ to compete in this year’s ‘Queen Of The Universe’ pageant – the search for “gorgeous, strong, inspiring women, committed to using their position and influence to better the lives of others.”

Enjoy her exclusive Business Heroine interview…

BH: How did you get into this world of acting and performing for a living?

Cat: I have been interested in acting since I was 10 years old. At that age I joined a youth theatre and then began to study theatre at school around the age of 15. When I was around 17, I was lucky enough to have a small role in a professional stage performance in my hometown of Newcastle.

It was whilst working with this ensemble that I realised this ‘dream’ of acting for a living wasn’t so delusional. Here were people making a modest living from doing what they love – they weren’t being paid billions of pounds, they weren’t celebrities, they were working actors doing exciting, fulfilling, creative work… and that to me was ‘the dream’ and made the whole thing seem so much more achievable and realistic.

BH: Tell us about your burlesque character Vixen DeVille. What is she all about, and how is she different than Cat?

Cat: Vixen DeVille is elements of Cat, taken to the extreme. A caricature, a cartoon version, or even a superhero version of Cat – I have taken elements that exist in my personality and amplified them to scale 10 rather than their everyday level of 1.

Vixen has a much higher opinion of herself than Cat – very happy to show off and bring attention to herself. She worries a lot less about the consequences of her actions and the things she says. There’s much less filter, which is where a large part of her comedy comes from.

Vixen is more than happy to say (or even do) that thing that maybe everyone is secretly thinking, or even wishing they could say out loud, but wouldn’t dare say/do/admit/bring attention to in a normal social setting.

BH: What are the biggest misunderstandings about burlesque, and what’s the real deal?

Cat: So many people focus on the “stripping to reveal naked flesh” aspect. Many people do not know how much of it is the element of comedy, a tongue in cheek humour – the word ‘Burlesque’ itself originates in the world of parody and satire. It creates a world of fun and uplifting escapism for both the performer and audience member.

BH: What does burlesque have to do with personal and spiritual growth? How have you grown as a person, since your involvement in cabaret and burlesque?

Cat: Burlesque really does encourage acceptance, of both our own greatness and of others.’ As performers we learn how to confidently say, “This is me and I am amazing… look at what and who I am!”

We as spectators can also bask in that person’s glory and say, “Wow she’s so funny, wow she’s got amazing legs, wow she has amazing tap-dancing skills,” with no jealousy or criticism.

I feel that since performing burlesque I have become less apologetic for myself – both my negatives and positives. I have allowed elements of Vixen to filter into my everyday life and allowed those true parts of myself to show more.

I have also become more appreciative of others’ gifts and talents and really try to give credit where credit is due – to celebrate the success, beauty and greatness that I see in others so that they know those qualities are being seen and appreciated by the world. If no-one tells us, we start to forget!!

BH: How can the Business Heroine audience get more of you?

Cat: Join my to get updates of shows and classes. You can also search Vixen DeVille and Cat LaCohie on YouTube to check out various clips of my performance.

Feel free to ‘friend me’ or tweet at me @CatLaCohie if you want advice or classes on finding your own inner burlesque or consultation on solo act development.

Websites:

www.CatLaCohie.com

www.VixenDeVille.com

Facebook:

Vixen DeVille Group –

Cat LaCohie –

Comments

comments

February 2014 Issue