The Guardian article is a piece of journalism rather than academic writing, and I never saw the show in question so I couldn’t comment on the accuracy of it’s critique of the individual performers, however, I do think it’s a good piece for people to be aware of if they are writing about Burlesque in an academic context.

I think we can become so used to viewing the Burlesque scene through the lens of ‘neo-feminism’ that sees only freedom of choice and empowerment, it can sometimes be forgotten that there is a very large group of feminist critics who work within the ideology that burlesque is essentially reductive and exploitative.

I personally don’t agree with that but, hey, the joys of university!