Alert your ears for wolf whistles aplenty, as Pitsea burlesque star Isabella Bliss is coming to the Cliffs Pavilion tonight.

The beauty performs in the showAn Evening of Burlesque, inside a giant Martini glass, and says the Cliffs holds a special place in her heart.

“The Cliffs was responsible for introducing me to the theatre,” she says.

“As a child, my nan would take me to see the pantomime there every year.

I have strong memories of the colourful and elaborate costumes and the fun and excitement generated by the performers.”

Sadly, Isabella’s grandma is no longer with us.

“Although I’m really excited to be appearing on the Cliffs’ stage, the venue is also sure to bring back some fond memories for me,” she added.

The burlesque poster girl’s appearance is deliberately Marilyn Monroe-esque.

“I’m heavily influenced by the golden years of Hollywood glamour, the movie stars of the Forties and Fifties,” she says.

“I thoroughly researched the era and was intrigued by burlesque performers of the time, like Tempest Storm and Dixie Evans, and the amazing stories they had to tell.

“Modern-day burlesque can be quite avant-garde and quirky. I wanted to create a routine literally dripping in glamour as a complete contrast.”

The idea of a martini glass resulted from a flippant remarkmade to her father one Christmas. “He asked me what I wanted and I replied a giant martini glass,” recalls Isabella.

A skilled engineer, her father set to work.

“My dad has made props for magicians and illusionists in the past,” she says. “There aren’t templates available for giant glasses – it had to be created from scratch. Also, it needed to fit perfectly to suit my body shape and still enable me to look elegant and glamorous.”

Isabella and her martini glass joined An Evening of Burlesque nine months ago and has appeared on every show as it has played to packed houses from Edinburgh to Plymouth and all points in between.

Isabella’s big break came when she performed her burlesque routine in a prestigious talent competition. She was a hit, winning the contest outright. Among the judges was An Evening of Burlesque producer Michael Taylor of Hadleigh-based theatre show company Entertainers. She was immediately snapped up, not only to star in the production but also to become the face of the 2015 tour, appearing in all An Evening of Burlesque’s publicity.

“It’s an honour to be part of such a big show,” says Isabella.

ý An Evening of Burlesque is on tonight at 8pm. The Cliffs Pavilion is in Station Road, Westcliff. Tickets are £24.50 on 01702 351135 or via southendtheatres.org.uk