Having been unable to attend the last Dr Sketchy’s, it was a nice to have the opportunity to attend a special ‘bonus’ Anti-Art School last month as part of the British International Comic Show. Eschewing our usual venue at the Victoria events were relocated to the more scholarly surroundings of the Think Tank Theatre at Millennium Point in Digbeth. As befits a comic convention, the theme was Heroines and Villains, with the girls dressing (and undressing) as their favourite comic characters.

First up was comperé Liberty Pink, in the guise of Who Framed Roger Rabbit‘s Jessica Rabbit, performing her signature tune, Why Don’t You Do Right?. The tighter than usual time-slot meant there was no time for her to pose, sadly, so it was straight into the first act, Dr Sketchy’s regular Crimson Skye as Watchmen‘s Silk Spectre, to the tune of some rock and roll and Muse’s cover of Feelin’ Good. In the meantime, Liberty Pink had returned, but this time as Hewlett and Martin‘s anti-heroine Tank Girl.

Next up was Parma Violet, whose routine showed the transformation of Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel from the Joker‘s psychologist to Batman villian Harley Quinn. Whilst Ms Violet popped off to rearrange her outfit, Cherryfox stepped up to pose as classic comic superheroine Wonder Woman. Parma Violet popped back for a quick 10 minute pose, and was swiftly followed by Sherry Trifle‘s Cheetara from ThunderCats, performing to the Troggs‘ Wild Thing. Winding things up with the last act of the evening was Marnie Scarlet as another Batman nemesis, Poison Ivy, to Space‘s The Female of the Species.

The venue may have lacked the intimacy (and the beer) of the Victoria, and things were disturbed a bit by the occasional lost-looking comic collector wandering in and out again, but in the end, a super time was had by all. All back to normal tomorrow (Saturday 6th November) though, as Dr Sketchy’s returns to the Victoria in John Bright Street for Paradise Island (yes, another late post). Doors open at 3.30pm and tickets are available on the door, priced £8.50. There’s also rumours that there may be some folks from Channel 4 lurking around too…

I shall say this only once – Liberty Pink returned in the guise of Michelle of the Resistance (from ‘Allo ‘Allo) to perform Édith Piaf‘s Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien. Next, Millie Dollar joined the fray (unfortunately, my notes let me down here, as I must have neglected to write down the musical accompaniment), and posed for a couple of sketches – one of which I won the prize for, a vintage Daily Herald. Liberty Pink returned as the Andrews Sisters (well, one of them at least) performing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and posed with stage assistant Fleur du Mal for the final drawing of the evening. Peace was finally declared following Liberty Pink’s rendition of Hitler Has Only Got One Ball, complete with a General Melchett-esque moustache.

Apologies, as ever, for the lateness of this post – after all, the next Dr Sketchy’s Birmingham happens this coming Saturday the 25th September. The theme this time round is Silver Screen Sirens, and will be held at the Victoria in John Bright Street. Tickets are available on the door prices £8.50, and the door in question opens at 3.30pm. Sadly, for the first time in the last two years, I won’t be able to attend due to a prior engagement (well, a wedding actually). Fear not,there is a special Dr Sketchy’s as part of this years British International Comics Show (BICS) on Saturday 16th October at 5pm in the Think Tank Theatre at Millennium Point. The comic-related theme of Heroines n Villains will feature a whole host of familar faces from Dr Sketchys’ past including Crimson Skye, Sherry Trifle and Cherryfox. BICS tix are available here. See you there?

Proceedings were comperéd, as ever, by host The Decadent Gent, who was accompanied by assistant Ditzy Diamond. First up, as last time, was a song from Cherry Fox who, appropriately enough, sang her take on the Altered Images track Happy Birthday, followed by a short 10 minute pose. The birthday theme continued with Willow Blue‘s routine, to the tune of both the traditional Happy Birthday To You and burlesque classic The Stripper, in a rather elaborate birthday cake outfit.

Suzie Sequin brought Hollywood glamour to proceedings (as she had at a previous Dr Sketchy’s), this time perfoming to Marilyn Monroe’s infamous rendition of Happy Birthday, Mr President. Cherry Fox returned for her second song of the evening, Lesley Gore‘s It’s My Party (probably better known in this country by it’s 80s cover version by Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin). The final set of the night was Sherry Trifle performing, er, How to Make A Sherry Trifle (and yes, there was whipped cream…). After posing for one set, Sherry returned for our last pose alongside the Decadent Gent and Ditzy Diamond.

In between proceedings, there was Pass the Parcel, where I won my only prize of the evening (er… a knitted Swiss Roll), but the cartoonists weren’t letting the side down, as fellow scribbler (and PCO member) Cathy Simpson won two rounds (admittedly with one of my brush pens. Again). There’s also some lovely photos of the day’s proceedings (and if you look carefully enough, you might find a few of me).

So, raise a glass to Dr Sketchy’s 1st birthday, and here’s to many more… starting with the next one, Victoriana, at the Victoria (where else!) on 16th January 2010.