As the burlesque phenomenon continues to explode across the UK and North America, I wonder whether many performers are still kinda totally missing the point.

OK, actually I know for a fact many are - but what does everyone else think?

The dictionary definition of the word "burlesque" has always been along the lines of "a type of writing or acting that tries to make something serious seem ridiculous".

And this is what the original entertainment genre started out as - a pantomime-esque theatre show that parodied social class differences way back in the 1870s with Lydia Thompson and her British Blondes troupe.

Although by the original definition of the word "burlesque", performances of this nature could surely be traced right back to cavemen times!

There's room for all kinds of performance styles at burlesque shows, I'm not saying there isn't in the slightest, but I'd just like to see more "burlesque" performances have the essential humourous parody element to the routines.

If you're gonna call yourself "burlesque", surely your routine shouldn't be just stripping wearing a certain kind of costume and having nipple tassels on, or doing a fan dance - it needs to be a sketch or a skit, it needs to tell a short story, it needs to be satirical or it needs to be a parody of something.

If it doesn't contain those elements it's not burlesque in my opinion, it's a tease routine or a dance routine or a strip routine.

Sorry, just wanted to get that off my chest!

Any views from the international burlesque community out there ?

Warren xx

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Why do its NEED to have any of the above? This may not be shared by many, but I believe that theres far too much snobbery within the Burlesque community - this isnt the royal ballet, this is theatre. This isnt a highly technical artform - its an underground celebration of diversity, kink and the stage. I feel that too many people complain about how things arnt 'burlesque enough' instead of focusing on the performances. Thesedays theres a huge divide between 'british' Burlesque and the more American styles - who says one is more relevant than the other?

Why cant we all just enjoy Burly for what it is? 5 minute slices of beauty/fun/gore/tits etc etc.

I never said there wasn't room for ALL styles of performance, I love the variety that "burlesque" shows have - but I just wanted to make the point about the parody and humour element.

There's a difference between "burlesque", "variety", "vaudeville" and "cabaret".

I know I'm being pedantic about definitions, but I just think burlesque is a particular form of performance style.

And yep I know I analyse things too much!

At the end of the day, I totally totally agree that it's all about having fun whatever you do on stage, and either entertaining or being entertained.

xx

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it's a toughy warren, one I've spoken with many people about. I don't see my aerial work as being completly burlesque yet. i am under no illusion. My partner's chinese pole act is different because it
a. tells a story
b. contains great skill but is a parody
c. entertains and brings in the audience.

I think burlesque is an "attraction" a titilation that can be created to distract, perhaps inform and ultimatly entertain.

Sadly, what i believe may have provoked this question i.e. a certain event on thursday, (correct me if i'm wrong) is not in any way or form burlesque. No way, it was a self-indulgent themed evening with great music and decor but awful performances. But anyway.

i'm looking forward to the responses here from those who know more than me.

vicxx

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Thursday wasn't particularly the catalyst for this post Vic, altho it does intrigue me as to what some people do think burlesque actually means.

I know "bandwagon" jumping has been discussed on this forum many times before, and Kittie (and many others) have made many brilliant points about this.

Basically I'm really just making a trivial point about labelling I suppose.

It's great to see so many previously "underground" approaches to entertainment getting more mainstream exposure, whatever title it goes under - it's the perfect antidote to sitting at home watching crap TV!

It's also great to see true burlesque bringing the "art" back into strip-tease.

xx

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Hi Warren,
Apart form my stage work I lecture in theatre and semiotics at BA and MA level so I am aware of the historical and literary implications associated with the term. I guess I can only speak about my own work, which is a parody or burlesque of glamorous femininity. All my acts have a narrative, contain dance and are elaborate in terms ofcostume and props. Personally I aim for a cross between a Zeigfeld show and Ginger Rogers with a spot of Lily St Cyr. I've been working for 6 years at this and certainly there is a surge of interest at the moment which is positive. I do think there is a fair bit of bandwagon hopping with the danger that some unscrupulous folks will be out to make a fast buck, but that is bound to happen. I don't concur with the view that burlesque should be underground. Lydia Thompson was booking out the biggest theatres in New York and made a very good living for a time. Elvis bought many of the top burlesque gals pink caddies, (had a very interesting chat with Dixie when I went to Exotic World) they didn't exactly starve! But, we will all have our own views and craft our work to our own strengths, abilities and tastes.
Just my thoughts.
All my best
Gwen xx


P.S
The following is from the Exotic World website. It's their chosen definition selection!

bur-lesque (br-lsk)
n.
1. A literary or dramatic work that ridicules a subject either by presenting a solemn subject in an undignified style or an inconsequential subject in a dignified style. See Synonyms at caricature.
2. A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty: The antics of the defense attorneys turned the trial into a burlesque of justice.
3. A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease.
[From French, comical, from Italian burlesco, from burla, joke,probably from Spanish, from Vulgar Latin *burrula, diminutive of Late Latin burrae, nonsense,from burra, wool.]

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

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You have the perfect background to enlighten "newbies" Gwendoline, and as you say, the parody element is a significant part of what burlesque "means" and should be about.

I think James and Kittie's description of burlesque on here is a very eloquent explanation too.

I just personally don't wanna see "burlesque" once again becoming synonymous with "spit and sawdust sordid stripping".

Wouldn't it be nicer to have it synonymous with higher art and imaginative satirical performances.

With mucho glamour of course!

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A very interesting thread and I look forward to hearing everyone's views. For my own part I always try to ensure that my performances are in the 'parody' part of the Burly spectrum and firmly rooted in a Victorian theatrical tradition, although I think that the original class element is rather harder to make work nowadays (although I am toying with a routine to parody chavs). For my own part I have always found those routines that have a humorous narrative to be the ones that 'stick out' and that seem to be the true inheritors of the original British Burlesque tradition. That does not mean of course that I do not enjoy what I consider the more 'American' style and it is wonderful to see the whole spectrum represented.

With regard to the 'bandwagon' issue, I don't think we need worry overly. Those who are merely following a fashion are fairly easy to spot and we should not forget that perhaps a few of them will come to love the scene for real. Either way, burlesque has lasted for a great many years already and I'm quite sure will continue to do so as long as people have that niggling dissatisfaction with society/politocs/class/etc which causes them to put on a corset and then take it off again!

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Some very good opinions above but as something of an outsider to your world of Burlesque I was unaware it had been underground for so long.

I agree that there will be performers out for a fast buck but from a punters point of view they will quickly become unpopular because there are the few that live for Burlesque and whose performances will blow the lesser entertainers out of the water.

I think the public interest in Burlesque is genuine and we should celebrate it. People are rightly bored of home entertainment and having their evenings in a bar or club ruined by idiots with no respect for others. Burlesque is a glamorous, provocative and entertaining way to spend an evening and full of friendly people with the same interests. Music videos are rammed with 1940's style with a 2006 twist and its a great look for women. I hate to say it but programmes like strictly come dancing are full of glamour and glitz and thats something we are missing these days and the public crave for.

I cannot see Burlesque ever becoming spit and sawdust strip. It is totally different and worth so much more to those that attend burlesque evenings all across the country. We should enjoy diversity in acts otherwise Burlesque will never progress but I agree we should hold onto the root acts that brought Presidents and guys as huge as Elvis to their knees.

Silver TC x

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Tease me I tease you back.

Many years of education have taught me this.

Burlesque is a label

Within it you get a huge variety of performers.

And though the U.S and EU variations of burlesque varie a hell of a lot my definition is this.

If you create a stage, If you fill it with light and music, If the costumes are slight but glamourous and your on a shoe string budget, If the audience is invited and join the performer in mirth, glamour, and something unexpected.
The magic of Burlesque has been created.

Bq isn't what an artist percieves is thier craft but what the audience claim as there own.

Having parted with my wisdome im going home to make a hotpot and tell a jedi where his training went wrong.

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