Get Yours Shaken and Stirred with Acme Burlesque’s From Acme With Love

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“Bond, James Bond.” Yes you’ve seen it before, but not this way. Acme Burlesque is about to take 007 to a whole new level with their latest production “From Acme with Love.”

“This show took about 2 months to put together,” says Shayne Gryn, one half of the Acme production team, “But it has been a concept we’ve talked about since we began.” Gryn is no stranger to the theatre. He is the musical director of Processed Theatre and the artistic director of Headless Goat Productions. He is also no stranger to the Montreal burlesque scene, which is where he met the second half of Acme’s production team, one of the cities pioneers of burlesque, Miss Seska Lee.

“This show is more of a theatrical burlesque show, it’s our first theme show,” comments Lee.
Gryn and Seska have been working together since 2011. they produced their first show in February of 2012 and it has been full speed ahead ever since. “We work really well together, our styles compliment each other,” says Lee.

“The plan was that this was supposed to be our seventh show,” laughs Gryn, “But after the first show there was the ‘Just for Laughs’ festival, the ‘Fringe’ festival, Mainline Theatre, the Wiggle Room. There have been a lot of shows.” Lee believes that burlesque is still growing in the city, that “it is starting to have a more mass appeal, growing out of its niche”.

One thing that allows Acme Burlesque productions to stand out in busy Burlesque scene is the live music. Shayne will lead an eight piece band with two different singers that will be playing music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, and of course the James Bond Classics. “The live band really adds something. It also gives the performers flexibility,” says Gryn. “If a number is going really well we can extend it, or if a garter gets caught, we can cover for them!” Seska adds, “The girls really like working with the band. There is eye contact and a sort of back and forth, they give a little bit more.”

There are 12 different performers in this show, and most of the girls have worked with Acme before and have local followings including Velma Candyass, and Sucre à la Creme. “We have a really good environment, the performers look forward to being in our upcoming shows,” boasts Seska, who will be the show’s hostess.

“We like to think of this show as showing affection for the parts of the old James Bond films that we had so much affection for,” says Shayne. “Making a satire about Bond is pretty much like shooting fish in a barrel.”

Now we just have to wait and see if Agent 007 will be able to stop S.P.E.C.T.R.E. from taking over the world. Enjoy the show!

From Acme with Love runs on May 1-2 at the Mainline Theatre (3997 blvd. St-Laurent). 9pm. $20. Tickets can be purchased online HERE.