When Daria Décolleté first imagined bringing a full cabaret and burlesque production to Drogheda, she knew she was taking a risk. The town had never hosted anything quite like it. But she also knew there was an appetite for something bold, colourful and unapologetically fun. Now heading into its third show, All That Glitters has quickly become one of Drogheda’s most exciting nights out.
Daria calls it “Drogheda’s sexiest night”, but the show is much more than feathers and flirtation. It is a wild mix of burlesque, drag, circus, pole, comedy, storytelling and spectacle curated by a woman who has lived and breathed performance all her life.
A professionally trained dancer with a lifelong love of old Hollywood glamour, Las Vegas showgirls and Parisian cabaret, Daria fell in love with burlesque while living in London. A flatmate brought her to a show one evening and the combination of high drama, humour, sensuality and storytelling struck a chord. It was everything she adored about performance wrapped into one art form. She knew instantly she wanted in.
Years later, after moving to Drogheda, she saw something missing here: a truly theatrical night out. “The town has huge potential,” she says. “People shouldn’t have to go all the way to Dublin to see top class cabaret. We can bring it to them.” And so All That Glitters was born.
The show features a completely different cast every time, pulling in talent from across Ireland’s small but powerful cabaret community. Past line ups have included Drogheda’s own Pixie Mischief with her multi hula hoop act, sword swallower Sideshow Ramone, drag royalty, pole artists who have toured with global stars, and internationally recognised burlesque performers. The backstage area is usually overflowing with props, wigs, wings and ladders, but the audience only sees the polished magic out front.
For Daria, the best part is watching performers shine. “It is such a special feeling to give incredible artists a platform and to see new audiences fall in love with cabaret,” she says. “Hearing afterwards that the show inspired someone or made their week is the best reward.”
She has also seen first hand how transformative burlesque can be for performers. Confidence grows. Self acceptance blooms. And individuality becomes an asset rather than something to hide. “As a former pro dancer, I used to feel the pressure to look like everyone else,” she says. “Burlesque taught me that what makes you different is what makes you powerful.”
Drogheda audiences have embraced the show far more warmly than Daria could ever have predicted. Many arrive dressed to the nines, ready to soak up the glamour. “A thriving nightlife brings energy, pride and tourism,” she says. “A show like this gives locals a reason to go out, feel fabulous and celebrate themselves. And everyone is welcome. All genders, all bodies, all backgrounds. That is the heart of cabaret.”
Running the show is not without its stresses. Promotion is constant and expensive, and ticket sales tend to peak close to showtime, keeping nerves high. But Daria believes strongly in the value of small cultural events. “Supporting local shows means more to us than buying a ticket to a huge arena gig ever will,” she says.
And audiences won’t have to wait long for the next dose of glitter. All That Glitters returns this Saturday 13th December, promising world class burlesque, drag, pole and circus performers along with a festive best dressed competition and a few surprises Daria is keeping secret for now. Tickets and updates are available on Instagram at @allthatglitterscabaret.
“All That Glitters is a night to laugh, to feel free, to be wowed and to celebrate who you are,” Daria says. “Drogheda deserves nights like this. And we are only getting started.”
