"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring."

David Bowie

Shireen Ashton is an actress from Manchester UK and a burlesque artist who performs under the stage name Cherie Bebe. For 5 years from the age of 14 she was a member of the renowned Oldham Theatre Workshop where she was able to hone her acting, dancing and performance skills by participating in various workshops, theatre productions and tours. Being an avid lover of films, Shireen then began training and acting for screen in various independent short and feature films but missed the experience of performing in front of a live audience.  

Her debut as Cherie Bebe's was in 2009 & she has been performing all over the UK ever since. As a burlesque performer Cherie has an eclectic approach to burlesque, mixing her love of music, cinema, art, glamour and lingerie to create an unforgettable performance of fantasy for her audiences. 

Cherie/Shireen's film and TV credits include: “Dali Land” by Mary Harron and starring Sir Ben Kingsley, 'The Look Of Love' directed by Michael Winterbottom, Hollyoaks as the character Phoenix, BBC This World Documentary Film ‘Murdered for Love’, Plastic (Feature Film), Theatre Of Fear (Feature Film), Portal (Web Series) and ' The Best Little Whore House In Rochdale' (Feature Film). She has worked with Bafta shortlisted Aneel Ahmad, award winning film-maker Miriam Kassim and has taken classes with playwright Jim Cartwright.

Previous clients include: Illamasqua, Selfridges, SJM, Volvo (Lady In Red for the S60 European Tour) Joe Corre (Agent Provocateur creator), The Fragrance Shop, Guess, Hervia Bazaar, Miss Manchester, Sexhibition, Burlesque Noir at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Vaudevillians Plus guests at The Lowry Theatre, The Albert Hall, The Lad Bible, Kendal Calling Festival, Viva Magazine, The Ritz Manchester, Alberts Schloss, Tattu and Menagerie.

Cherie also produces a number of burlesque shows across various venues in the North West which star herself and a lineup of distinguished burlesque and cabaret acts. Her current residencies are Cherie Bebe's Burlesque Revue which takes place at the iconic Matt and Phreds jazz club in Manchester's trendy Northern Quarter and Burlesque at the Richmond Tearooms at the award winning Alice In Wonderland Themed Tearooms.

Photographer: Sinead Marie Photography

Film Still: Adam Barker