Dancer shock at Jongleurs
A dancer at the second night of a risque Jongleurs stage show unintentionally exposed her nipples during an energetic student-themed striptease.
The penultimate act at Burlesk, where 230 students were enouraged to 'think can-can, think corsets, think cabaret, think Burlesk' shocked patrons as the routine went horribly wrong.
Around midnight the performer, an Oxford student, took off a mortar board and gown with the intention of stripping to the level of nipple tassles, which were unintentionally removed during the routine.
Two other male performers were on stage at the time of the eleventh act of the evening. The final act continued as planned.
The incident, which happened around midnight on Tuesday, has reportedly shaken the performer, and has put the club night in jeopardy as the show does not have a licence for performers to be nude.
Co-organiser of the event Kerry Norman, a second year psychology and philosophy student at Pembroke College, said it was an unforuntate incident which was disappointing after the 50 performers from both Oxford and Oxford Brookes had put so much work into the show.
"This was an unfortunate incident and we apologise to anyone concerned, and anyone who was offended," he said.
The other organiser of the event, former Brookes student Sheridan Edward, has, ironically, only recently graduated with a Master's in 20th-century Theatre and Censorship.
Jongleurs venue manager Laurie Othen said he had not received any complaints about the incident.
"We are obviously looking at ways to make sure this sort of thing never happens again, though," he said.
The opening of the new club night also included a Mary Poppins 'striptease' act, as well as a medically-themed routine with a phallic syringe.
Hertford languages finalist Alison Kennedy, who was at the event on Tuesday, said she was shocked but amused at the incident.
"It was pretty hilarious and unexpected. She was taking things off slowly. She took her bra off and the tassles just came loose. I don't think everyone noticed.
"Although it was funny I think people realised it wasn't supposed to have happened."
3rd Feb 2005