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Le Pustra

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Le Pustra
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Le Pustra as 'Pierrot' (Image by Atelieri O'Haapala, 2013).
Background information
Also known asMr Pustra
GenresCabaret, Performance Art, Torch songs
Occupation(s)performance artist, singer, model, stylist
Years active2006 (2006)–Present
MembersPerformers: Le Pustra.
Websitewww.mrpustra.com

Le Pustra or Mr Pustra (1 July 1977) is a multidisciplinary performance artist, singer, musical saw player, model and was originally part of the comedy Cabaret duo, Pustra/Vile-een's Vaudeville[1] that performed from 2006 to mid 2009. The character of Le Pustra is loosely based on Commedia dell'arte's stock character, Pierrot and the Gothic visual style of film director, Tim Burton. Le Pustra is known for his often macabre white face make-up, pointy red lips and romantic and glamorous style, sometimes resembling a Weimar porcelain doll. A self-proclaimed Bon Vivant and 'Vaudeville's Darkest Muse', He appears regularly on the International Circuit in Cabaret, Burlesque,[2] Variety and has appeared in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, New York, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Perth (Australia), Stockholm and Venice. He is much admired and respected for his personal style, unique persona and melancholic live performances. Other influences include shock artist and fashion designer, Leigh Bowery, countertenor Klaus Nomi, silent film actress Theda Bara, singer/actor David Bowie and the iconic Marlene Dietrich.

Early life

Le Pustra was born in South Africa and adopted at birth. He was raised in a middle-class family in a small coastal town, and in 2000 he moved to London to pursue a career in Musical Theater but struggled to find work. He had a few day jobs ranging from an usher at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Covent Garden to a kitchen porter in Surrey. There was also a brief stint as a Cher impersonator on a Cruise Ship, a Tarot reader in a nightclub and as an 'Extra' in British Soap Operas.

Noted Appearances & Shows

Villains

In early 2011, Le Pustra co-produced and wrote a Vaudevillian all-male show entitled 'Villains'[3] which was produced in Rome's Teatro Palladium. The show had a short run but made a huge impact on Le Pustra's career and established him firmly on the scene. Le Pustra connected with the Italian audience and they in turn, adored his vulnerability and uniqueness. Le Pustra attributes much of his development to his time working in Italy. The show returned to Rome for one night only on 5 September 2011 at the Villa Celimontana Festival.[4]

Collaborations & Appearances

In 2012, Le Pustra collaborated with Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman, Victor Victoria from musical duo, EastEnd Cabaret and Adrian Stout from cult Cabaret group, The Tiger Lillies and also The Irrepressibles as a guest musical saw player. He also collaborates with contemporary performers on various projects and is the subject and inspiration for numerous art works, especially paintings.[5]

Other noted appearances include The Royal Academy of Arts, Skibo Castle, Wilton's Music Hall, The Box, The Last Tuesday Society, Torture Garden, The Secret Garden Party, Wintergarten Varieté Berlin, Home House Private Member's Club, Madame JoJo's and club night 'The Face' alongside 'king of the Noe-Romantics and former 'The Blitz' [6] club owner, Steve Strange. It is here where Le Pustra was introduced to Adam Ant, who came to watch Le Pustra's show. International credits include Palais de Toyko (Paris), Coney Island [7] in New York, Perth World Fringe Festival,[8] Södra Teatern (Stockholm), Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt.[9] and the world famous Venice Carnival.

Fashion & Publications

In 2010, Le Pustra produced and directed a fashion video for Serbian designer Marko Mitanovski which was screened at London Fashion Week, Selfridges Department Store and Malaysian International Fashion Week. The short fashion film, 'Mr Pustra’s Lament Act II' was selected to screen at celebrated fashion curator/blogger, Diane Pernet‘s Film Festival, A Shaded View on Fashion Film in Milan, Italy on June 2012. The Fashion Community has embraced Le Pustra's style and individuality after he walked in in London Fashion Week fashion shows [10] for designer Ziad Ghanem (SS12 & AW13) and modeled for up-and-coming fashion designer Ivana Pilja. He also made a cameo in the fashion film, 'The Dionysian' directed by Stephen Lally and subsequently been featured in British and Italian Vogue,[11] Hunger Magazine,[12] French Playboy, Dark Beauty Magazine,[13] Spindle Magazine[14] and the book: New Club Kids'[15] by photographer, Oggy Yordanov and his image have been captured at The National Portrait Gallery in London and Musical Hall, Hackney Empire. Social Media has played a significant role in shaping and promotion of Le Pustra's artistic career and his work and visual style is subject of numerous online magazines and Blogs [16]

Current Projects

A Le Pustra 'coffee style' table photo book entitled 'Creating Le Pustra' is beong developed which will celebrate the artists' fashion and art works to date. The book will consist of a selection of editorials, fan art and personal letters. A solo show, Le Pustra! is also in development which will debut in Paris, 2015.

References

  1. ^ http://www.timeout.com/london/alternative-nightlife/features/3267/London-s_new_variety_scene.html
  2. ^ http://burlesquemap.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/chaz-royal-celebrating-his-10-year.html
  3. ^ http://www.romadailynews.it/2011/01/teatro-palladium-levento-teatrale-dellanno-villains/
  4. ^ http://roma.corriere.it/roma/notizie/tempo_libero/11_agosto_28/villa-celimontana-chiusura-1901379121358.shtml
  5. ^ http://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Le-Pustra/88795/1717489/view
  6. ^ http://www.theblitzkids.com/promo/face0311.html
  7. ^ http://www.coneyislandfunguide.com/Events/Noisefest-at-Coney-Island-USA--FREE_4_3_2011-2730.htm
  8. ^ http://www.outinperth.com/sideshow-macabre/
  9. ^ http://www.schirn-magazin.de/SCHIRN_AT_NIGHT_in_der_Ausstellung_Geheimgesellschaften.html
  10. ^ http://www.retoxmagazine.com/ziad-ghanem-ss12-matka-johanna.html
  11. ^ http://www.vogue.it/en/photovogue/Portfolio/c3f286db-5b5a-4f5a-8938-ade1a22f6d4e/Image
  12. ^ http://www.hungertv.com/feature/katy-kingston/
  13. ^ http://www.darkbeautymag.com/2014/08/behind-the-scenes-with-le-pustra/
  14. ^ http://spindlemagazine.com/2010/12/spindle-photoshoot-with-mr-pustra/
  15. ^ http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/oggy+yordanov/new+club+kids/8136981/
  16. ^ http://manbehindthecurtain.ie/2012/11/11/style-icons-mr-pustra/
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