Lili La Scala

From the World Buskers Festival 2011

If she does, expect opera, seamlessly blended with her style of saucy striptease. As dangerous as she is beautiful, her siren song will bewitch your ears as her sensual déshabillée from luscious costumes down to creamy skin takes place before your very eyes.

If she doesn't, watch enthralled as she displays the classic arts of burlesque, all performed with her own inimitable style.

Let this playful diva take you on a world of burlesque journeys.

1. What are the key responsibilities of a busker?

To entertain. In my case, to bring a little glamour and sparkle to peoples' lives. The wonderful thing about busking is that your audience get the chance to see the show and then decide for themselves how much to pay. It's just so darn honest.

2. What's the first thing you do on a Saturday morning?

When i'm at home, i'm normally woken up by my sphynz kitten, Aurora. She climbs into bed and purrs and drools and rubs her head against my husbands stubble. It's the best start to a day ever. When we are in Christchurch, I love to breakfast at Drexels, it's simply the best.

3.What are you reading at the moment?

It's funny you should ask that. I was reading a Karen Slaughter 'who-dun-it' on the plane over from England. I was halfway through when we landed in Auckland, silly me, I left it on the plane. So i'll never know who did it. It's frustrating.

4. If you were to be stranded on an island, which three things would you take with you?

Well, I should say glamorous things, but if i'm honest it would probably be my lovely handsome husband, and our two sphynxes, Maris and Aurora. That would make me totally happy.

5. If I invited myself over to your house for dinner, using only the contents in your fridge right now, what would you make me?

I don't even have a house right now, let alone a fridge! But i'd love you to come over for afternoon tea back in England. I'd bake scones and ginger cake and i'd amke a huge pile of itty bitty finger sandwiches, with delicious fillings. I'd get out my vintage china and lay the table with a lovely white tablecloth and it would just be simply divine. I adore afternoon tea.

6. Where would you rather be right now?

No where else in the world. The World Buskers Festival is one of the my most favourite festivals in the world, and i'm sure it's not just luck that it it one of my favourite cities. Vintage shops, great places to eat and ten days spent with fabulous talented friends. Who would want to be anywhere else?

7. What advice would you give to your 15 year old self?

Black is chic. Goth is not, and may never be. Please, little one, if you want to dress like a Hollywood Starlet, just do it. The only people who will be bothered are those that don't matter!

8. If you could only ever go one place in the world on holiday for the rest of your life - where would it be?

I would happily holiday in Venice for ever. It's the most gorgeous place. From the minute that you step off the train it is like being in a movie. You can almost feel the history oozing from between the bricks and breathing in the dark places.

9. If you could acquire one new skill within the next 24 hours, what would it be?

The ability to say 'NO' to vintage clothes. It's a skill that I don't have, but I sorely need it here in Christchurch. I just saw the most divine coat in a cute little store. It may yet come home with me!

10. What's one thing most people do not know about you?

I can't make corn fritters. They go wrong every single time. It's the only thing I can't do.