A PHOTOGRAPHER and promoter from Chester has been invited to judge the world’s biggest burlesque competition in Las Vegas this weekend.
Neil Kendall, who lives in the city’s Garden Quarter, is already in America to judge the Miss Exotic World 2013 contest at the famous Burlesque Hall of Fame.
The 23rd annual Tournament of Tease will take place in the Orleans Hotel and Casino, featuring burlesque stars from all over the world.
Neil described the invitation to be one of the four judges as ‘the highest accolade’.
He said: “I have been associated with the competition for more than 20 years as a photographer and burlesque promoter and it really is a great honour.
“ I am the first European man to have ever been asked to join the judging panel.”
Neil is the man behind Goldust Productions, which mounts extravagant burlesque events at various venues in Chester including Telford’s Warehouse, Chester Guildhall and Stanley Palace.
He is also the Victorian vaudeville weekend at Thornton Manor on the Wirral and was behind the city’s Vaudeville Festival as part of the 2011 Chestival.
Neil, a former student at the University of Chester, knows that he is in for a late night in Vegas.
He said: “The competition will be followed by a huge party so I guess I won’t be in bed until 7am - this is after all the city that never sleeps!
“It will be a weird and wonderful and absolutely fantastic.”
As part of the four-day (and night) showcase of live entertainment, there will also be an exhibition of Kendall’s photographs.
Neil’s studio is based at his Cambrian Road home where he has photographed many international burlesque stars including the American international Dita von Teese, the Italian Dolly L’Amour and the Russian Lada Restar.
Following his appearance at the international pageant, Kendall will travel to Hollywood for more photography shoots, including work on Dita von Teese’s Strip, Strip, Hooray tour.
