Lulu's singing and dancing is sometimes accompanied by a storyline, like theater works. [Provided to China Daily]

The burlesque dancer and jazz singer previews her new show at the iconic nightclub in Beijing. Mark Hughes goes behind the scenes.

Entertainment with a difference has arrived in Beijing. The eponymously titled Miss Lulu Galore Show blends traditional jazz with a sexy burlesque performance at the Philippe Starck-designed Lan Club.

The belle of Shanghai moved to the capital from her home city seven years ago and has been entertaining clubbers and diners at a variety of venues, both large and small, ever since.

China Daily managed to buttonhole her for a one-on-one chat between rehearsals and asked whether she left her heart in southern China.

"Yes, I do miss Shanghai, but I absolutely enjoy my life in Beijing. Some people have asked me which city I prefer. For me, it's too different to choose. Shanghai is always going to be special as it's my hometown," Lulu says.

"But Beijing, being an arts and cultural center for China, has enriched my life. It's where I started dancing, performing and continue to develop my career and ambitions."

The diminutive dancer and siren singer has not had formal training, but says she is blessed with natural talent and was encouraged by friends and family.

"My dad was a police officer. Now he's retired. I'm always very close to him. Absolutely a daddy's girl type. My mom was an accountant. She's the one who gave me my music influence, spending her time singing and dancing with me. She took me to piano classes every week and to dance events when I was young.

"Both of my parents loved social dancing. They used to take me to the dance hall when I was very little. There weren't a lot of young kids in the dance hall - basically just me dancing with a bunch of adults."

She adds that her husband is also very supportive and "will drag me into his music room to work on technical exercises to strengthen and develop my voice. He drives me nuts but in the end, I know it helps. He is a sound engineer by trade and an experienced musician."

There is a noticeable difference between the Lulu you see over a drink - more than a hint of diffidence - and the performer who struts, twirls, bends and seduces on stage. Why is that?

"Once I'm on the stage, I usually just let my feeling and muscle memories take control of me. And, for me, singing is harder than actually dancing, not mentioning doing these things together. That's even harder."

Taking a Western art form and performing it so convincingly to a mixed audience must have had its challenges, but Lulu says she is driven by ambition.

"I want to make the Miss Lulu Galore Show successful with the whole cast and production team, have fun with it and, hopefully, do more shows nationwide to spread this art and culture we are representing."

She adds that she would like to continue to mix this Western type of art form with some Eastern influences - much like Shanghai did in the jazz age long ago.

Lulu points to Rita Hayworth, Dita Von Teese, Miss Polly Rae and Peggy Lee as her inspiration. She calls them "pin-up girls" that hark back to the golden jazz era style.

There was certainly plenty of Dita Von Teese in the burlesque show in which she starred and stripped over the summer, but she says her new endeavor will be more diverse.

"I will sing and dance together with my cast maybe even around a storyline so you could say there would be some theater in there as well."

One element that was most eye-catching from her burlesque performances was her dresses, and not just when they came off. I ask if clothes are important to her and where she gets them.

"It's fun to go costume shopping with my girls," she says, adding she often goes to Zoo Market for accessories and hot dance dresses. Another place is Muxiyuan Fabric Market, "But that requires a good tailor and takes time."

Other times, like Chinese citizens everywhere, she goes online and shops at Taobao. She says she prefers professional dance shoes, which she gets at Beijing Dance Academy.

So what next for the starlet who turns 30 next month?

"I really want to celebrate my birthday with my family and friends, probably in Vietnam, I'm working on it.

"I can't wait and really look forward to my 30s. My 20s was absolutely an interesting and learning process but I believe that my 30s will be more adventurous and exciting.

"I was ready to have babies but after having started my career as a performer, I think it's better to wait for another few years. You have got to do what you love while you have time for it. I absolutely love kids, but I need time."