Australian dancer Shay Stafford shares her story of living and working in Paris in Memoir of a Showgirl (Hachette, 2010). Stafford takes readers on a journey from a group of giggling young girls in a Brisbane hall to the Bluebell dancers at The Lido, sharing her experiences with a mixture of self-deprecating Australian humour and a sense of wonder at dancing in the magical City of Light.
Memoirs of a Showgirl
Shay Stafford’s dancing career has taken her from childhood dance recitals and performances in at the local shopping centre to the stages of two of the world’s best known cabaret venues, the Moulin Rouge and the Lido in Paris. From humble beginnings at a suburban Brisbane dance class to the sequins and feathers of the famed Doriss Girls and Bluebell dancers, Stafford shares the story of her growing love of dance as a child and teen and her dreams of one day performing in Paris, where she eventually spent almost 12 years.
Memoirs of a Showgirl is a collection of anecdotes and personal recollections about the highs and lows of a professional dancing career, inviting readers backstage to see the hard work behind the glitz and glamour. This memoir focuses on moments and people that were personally meaningful for the author, rather than serving as an exposé of egos and high drama behind the scenes. With surprisingly little reference to backstage divas or highly strung artistic temperaments, Stafford’s story instead presents strong sense of family and friendship amongst the dancers.
In addition to details of her involvement with the productions of Formidable! and Féerie at the Moulin Rouge and C’est Magique and Bonheur at the Lido, Stafford shares her love of Paris and her evolving relationship with the city. She sees her role as a dancer for the Moulin Rouge and Lido as part of the rich cultural history of the city and never seems to loose her sense of wonder and appreciation for Paris and its many quirks and delights.
Stafford’s sense of humour and enthusiasm for life draw readers in, creating a memoir that is warm and engaging. From grueling rehearsal schedules and first night performance jitters to late-night parties with friends and the challenge of having to dance topless in front of her parents for the first time, Stafford shares an appealing balance of insider insights and personal experiences. Memoirs of a Showgirl offers glimpses into a world whose mystique and glamour captures the imagination of people from all walks of life.
Australian Showgirl Shay Stafford
Born in the Brisbane suburbs, Shay Stafford’s dancing career included performances at Jupiter’s casino and an Elvis revival at a Japanese resort before she ventured to Paris. At the age of 23, she became one of the Moulin Rouge’s famous Doriss Girls, dancing as part of the chorus line before gradually rising through the ranks to become a dance captain and regular soloist.
After success at the Moulin Rouge, Stafford relocated to the Lido on the Champs Elysees, where she progressed from a position as a Bluebell to once again perform regularly as a soloist.
Shay Stafford is married to Australian author Bryce Corbett. In 2009 she retired her sequins and heels to focus on her two young children. She lives in Sydney, Australia. Stafford’s website features a gallery of photographs and further information about her successful dancing career.
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes of a Paris Cabaret
Memoirs of a Showgirl offers readers an engaging mix of personal recollections and glimpses into the behind-the-scenes world of a Paris showgirl. More than tales of sequins and feathers, Shay Stafford shares stories that are a mix of inspiration, humour, drama and everyday life. This entertaining book is likely to appeal not only to those with an interest in dance, but to anyone who has ever wondered about the real world behind the showgirl glamour.
Review copy details:
Memoirs of a Showgirl (ISBN: 978-0-7336-2487-2, 405 pages)
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