Beauty and the Beast

Back in 2012, I wrote a post about Stanley Long (1933-2012) that mentioned Desiree and Pierre. Here’s another picture of that double act. Besides Beauty and the Beast, Desiree was well known for such acts as Devil and the Virgin and Apache. Often billed as Mille Desiree or Delicious Desiree, she appeared on the stage of such London clubs as the Casino De Paris and Raymond’s Revue Bar. She also worked at clubs up North and in Europe. I’ve been told her real name was Cynthia Keen and that she came from Blackpool… not Hamburg. If anyone can verify the above much appreciated.

Beauty and the Beast Striptease double act.
Striptease double act Desiree and Pierre
Desiree and Pierre the Gorilla at Chessington Zoo with a Heinkel Kabine bubble car. Photo by John Bignell 1956. Image courtesy of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Library.
Desiree and Pierre the Gorilla at Chessington Zoo. Photo by John Bignell 1956, courtesy of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Library.

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2 thoughts on “Beauty and the Beast

  1. Desirée also appeared in Paul Raymond’s Folies Parisienne at such venues as the Theatre Royal in Margate. She had an act called Desirée and Pierre “The Dance that was banned”. This was before the Raymond’ Revue Bar opened.

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