The Crazy Horse cabaret club, France’s mythical temple of the “chic striptease”, has signed up a leading French actress – and princess – to star in its new show.
Clotilde Courau will follow in the dancing footsteps of Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and American cabaret performer Dita Von Teese and appear in a singing and dancing spectacular in September.
The show’s organisers refuse to give details of the actresses role in the show but say that, unlike many of the club’s previous stars and its famous dancers, Ms Courau will probably appear nude.
“Clotilde doesn’t want to say very much about the show or how she will appear at the moment,” said a Crazy Horse spokeswoman.
“All I can say is that it will be a very sensual and feminine show.”
Ms Courau, 41, is the wife of Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Venice and Piedmont, the grandson of the last king of Italy. Her correct title is Princess Clotilde of Savoy.
In 1991 she was nominated for a César – the French equivalent of an Oscar – for Most Promising Actress for the film Le Peitit Criminel.
More recently she starred in La Mome, the film about Edith Piaf in which the singer was played by Marion Cotillard, and in a French production of the Importance of Being Ernest with Rupert Everett.
Of her new Crazy Horse role, Ms Courau said: “It makes me very happy to be on stage at the most elegant and avant-garde cabaret in the world.
“It’s also a great honour to share the stage with the magnificent Crazy Horse dancers.”
The Crazy Horse, which opened in 1951, is known for its stage shows featuring nude women dancers. It has tried to modernise and attract a younger audience in recent years by featuring stripteases by famous artists.
Pamela Anderson, the star of Baywatch, featured in a show in 2008 and the American burlesque star Dita Von Teese performed at the Crazy Horse last year. Singer Carmen Electra was in the show earlier this year.
Arielle Dombasle, 57, the wife of France’s most famous living philosopher Bernard Henri-Lévy, also danced on stage in 2008.
Ms Courau, who has two daughters, refused to give up her career after becoming a minor royal in 2003.
Of her new role she said: “I am an artist called Clotilde Courau and it is Clotilde Courau who will perform at the Crazy Horse for 10 days. The rest is my private life.”
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