My day: My working life running Goldust is really quite erratic. My daily texts, tweets and Facebook messages seem to dictate my life rather more than they should and I sit in bed responding to them all from 7-8am. Social networking has revolutionised the way I interact with people but it’s tough to stay focused and keep on top of it.
Messages range from the surreal (“I am outside the venue with a giant sphinx, where are you?”) to the hilarious (”Dear Mr Kendall, I have a unique act where I dress as a giant squid. Do you have an call for such an act?”).
I work in burlesque, circus variety and vintage sideshows so it’s never going to be normal and humour is essential.
As I tend to work on several events at once I am constantly juggling. One minute I am booking travel, the next I am checking to see if I can stage a fire act in a specific venue.
I run about 15 events a year so 2014 is looking very busy. We just received Arts Council funding to produce a large-scale variety festival in Morecambe and I am working the Chester Fringe in October, which will be really exciting.
In this game you are constantly working ahead to present new exciting festivals and events. I run various vintage inspired shows such as the Travelling Side Show, with beautiful painted banners of mythical creatures.
There’s little down time and whilst a lot of my work looks glamorous it can be tough as I do everything from poster design to set building, hosting to Press and PR, although I do get to travel to places like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, which is very exciting. I have also worked professionally as a burlesque photographer for the last 10 years with international stars like Dita Von Teese.
I have a home studio and build sets. This year my studio has been an underwater cavern, a 1930s circus and a tropical island.
The biggest part of the job for me is selling events and it’s less stressful now than when I started out but I am constantly on my toes to ensure the events sell out.
Right now we are closing off New Year’s Eve here in Chester, at Stanley Palace, so I am eternally grateful to the people of the city for their continual support.
I stop work about 9pm and if I am not at a show then at this time of year it’s a hot bath a glass of Rioja and a crackling fire. I love to switch off from the outside world. Work is pretty much seven days a week. I think once you work for yourself it’s difficult to go back to a 9-5 routine.
Dress : I do have gold sparkling shoes.
What is the favourite part of your job? The sheer variety of artists that cross my path. Their ingenuity never ceases to amaze me.
What is the least favourite part of your job? January through March. I call it the financial drought. Any business person knows these are long months to get through but you learn when to use Aldi and to skip Waitrose. I cut my cloth as and when.
What would be your dream job if you weren't doing what you do now? I have it. I created this job from scratch and worked 10 years to get here so an earthquake wouldn’t throw me off now.
How do you relax when you are not working? Drink.
What is your favourite film? Cinema Paradiso. It always fills me with hope.
What is your favourite book? A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens. The descriptions of London are amazing.
What is your favourite song? Goldfinger, Shirley Bassey. I love its drama.
If a film was made of your life, who would you like to play you? Hmmm Johnny Depp. He starred in a film about legendary B movie director Ed Wood in the 1950s. It’s amazing and I sat with my friend Violet on my sofa, shouting at the screen: ‘That’s me, that’s me’.”
Have you had your 15 minutes of fame? I have been on TV, radio and in the media a lot talking about my work. When I worked with Dita Von Teese in Hollywood they posted my pictures down Hollywood Boulevard on giant billboards which was epic! I won ITV’s May The Best House Win this year so I have been on a roll.
Factfile
Name: Neil Kendall
Job: Burlesque/vintage event producer
Born: Lancaster
Education: Westminster College London and University of Chester
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