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by
Liz Goldwyn
This
interview was originally published
in the October 5, 2000 Velvet Hammer
souvenir programme.
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She
helps me into the dress in her bedroom, telling me that she’s seen
“a million knockers” when I turn my back to her as I undress.
Zorita has told me that she gave up sex years ago--all she does is think
about it occasionally. Zorita stuffs tissue into the bust of the dress
as I don’t quite have the same measurements as she and we go outside
to her pool where she teaches me how to use the fans Sally Rand had
given her. She gives me orders, “Don’t hide your face. Stand
up straight. Emphasize your knockers.” Along with criticisms, “that’s
not sexy. That’s clumsy.” I feel like I am a little girl playing
dress up. For the first time I know that the clothes and the stance
are only part of the character. I
don’t feel the confidence, the sexuality that Zorita seemed to
radiate.
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I
would never have the guts to even play at taking off the costume the
way Zorita would have or to imagine myself dancing in front of an audience.
It is a fascination felt from afar--costumes allow me to pretend to
be a character without performance. The element of power Zorita had
over her audience and, unconsciously or not, of her own sexuality is
something that I remain awed by. And in fact, Zorita is still as beautiful,
earthy and provocative as her stage persona, 60 years later.
the
end!
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