European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 15, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Where stripping is Art by Diana Valdez staff writer Hon Mayra takes my i.-. ,.\ ,. Run non l c ill it a Velnel n Shn  la not thurr 1more to t than n Quick Flash at tin audience Mayra should know. She s been performing burlesque 5 was 14 As she sits at the table enjoying a drink before the Day s second show people Are Mill Pouniu into the afro Ady crowd j f a i ii a me no i Unn Thi ground floor Only a of on the upper k vol Myrn Janc " around this is a Normal crowd. Mostly in red couples the lost show will be Moro Rowdy. The d Plata her Boon open since to i and  to shoot Dejl t a i quo in spam it s tucked within a ago a s fjp.j.1 Section a Cluster of   the local   Call to bes " the Interior is worn and dilapidated. Green and Ian blood through the yellowed wallpaper the ceiling is High held up by three Large pillars running Down to Center of the room they re decorated Wilh tiled mirrors but age has worn away their Edgos some Are cracked others Nus Star. The two level room is  with cheap tables and chairs and there s Only one House Rule you can stay at Tho late As Long As you drink otherwise you have to stand. Several waiters some who have worked hero for decades whisk from table to table taking orders and serving drinks with Tho quickness of Long practise. Mayra takes a sip from her drink. The show will Start in 30 minutes. It s hard to guess Mayra s age and she won t reveal it. But when the harsh Light irom the bar hits her face there s a Sharp contrast Between the woman Hersill and the image of her on the publicity poster hanging directly behind her. She was 2 1 then she says. Today she looks near 40. Out her features Are softened with thick makeup. And her smile is warm. It s show time. Mayra is sharing the stage tonight with a blonde named Mirga Castillo. They take turns singing songs to the music of a three piece band each Entrance brings on a different costume a now show a fresh gimmick a Little More . The lights brighten or Din Deponce Jinjr on the song. Fach woman gets her turn at doing a Happy song n sad song and a sexy number. Mayra. 5-foot 1 plus four inches of hell. Struts across the stage. Her Long glittering gowns Caress her. The costumes Are elaborate some Cost As much As $180, nearly a full week s wage. Sometimes i make my own costumes because they Are very  she says. Tonight the first show went Well. And As usual the room emptied As soon As the show was Over. That s what they come Lor the  she says. The women like it cause there s nothing like it in Spain. And americans get wild and  tourists she says make up thy bulk of the afternoon show the first of three daily performances. There used to be a lol of Competition in the Field but not any More. It s not As popular As it used to  even so. Mayra still works on perfecting her performance. She takes dance class is exercises and diets. She s always buying or making new . In this profession you have to put up with a lot. There Are times when i Don t feel like doing the show. But that s not too often. I like burlesque so 1 Don t get  it s Between shows and Mayra has slipped into a conservative Black dress. She sits Back at a table to enjoy another drink bought by an admirer talks briefly with a Lew customers As they congratulate her on a Good show. I be worked in All kinds of  she says. But this is the Best in Spain. This is More like family. This is  Spanish burlesque Star Mayra Torres. T0m, and of much a weekday in of other co Tumat.  a ars Page 14 the stars and stripes applying Mahop for of tuesday "