On December 7, 2019, the 7th edition of the “Caput Mundi International Burlesque Award” took place at the Teatro Parioli in Rome. This international event has become a staple in the landscape of burlesque events in Italy. The festival is conceived and directed by Albadoro Gala, produced in collaboration with Silvio Cossi and SDC Service.

Without diminishing the skills of all the international performers, the distinctive artistic talent of Italian artists in this field is highlighted by the fact that the four finalists vying for the title of Burlesque Papess  Ginevra Joyce (the winner), Jeannie Nitro, Valentina Tafferini, and Astrid Wanderlust  – are all “made in Italy,” despite their stage names.

The distinguished jury that judged the aspiring queens included prominent names among national and international colleagues, such as the performer Le Pustra from Berlin, Amber Topaz, a reference point in London’s burlesque scene, stylist Maria Freitas, and the Bolognese burlesquer Nuit Blanche.

After the performances of the aspiring queens, the stage was graced by the boylesquer Azzurro Fumo, followed by the unmistakable voice of Mike LuPone. Following them, some guest performers of the festival contributed their acts: Genny Mirtillo, Scarlett Martini, Lola Itsy, and Chou Chou L’Amoureuse from Bordeaux.

Naturally, among the performances, the undisputed queen and producer of the evening, Albadoro Gala, could not be missed. In addition to entertaining the audience, she played the role of the hostess between one artist and another.