My boy has fallen out with England and UK weather and he's decided that in a year or so, he wants to move abroad. He's said that if my career is going well by then, then he'll rethink it but he seems pretty set on it - his plan was always to graduate then move to South Africa to work as a ranger on Pilansberg National Game Reserve!! He only stayed in England after graduation because of me!

Anyway, what's the Burlesque scene like in other countries? I'm not saying I'm definitely going to move but I guess in a few years I might do If my career's going well, as I say, I'm not going to go anywhere!

Is there anywhere else in the world where Burlesque is as diverse and exciting as the UK?

Sorry to post such a confusing kind of ramble!

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Performer and All-Round Princess
www.myspace.com/missdanicalifornia

The only place that obviously presents itself would be Berlin. I'm sure the states has a big burlesque scene but I would guess it's fairly mainstream and doesn't have the edge of the UK or Europe?

N.B. this is entirely off the top of my head and not on the result of any research or even knowledge!

In my experience, diversity often comes with size. The fact that the UK can support and encourage a diverse and exciting scene in burlesque is partially because of the size of the population - there are enough people to sustain an industry of performers, audiences, students etc.

The UK also has one of the largest, most diverse cities in the world with London, and that encourages international performers, so we have a constant influx of influences from outside of the UK.

Smaller cities cannot support this to the same extent. While you may find burlesque communities in smaller countries, there is a good chance they will be quite niche (which can be a good thing) and possibly limited in what they can provide.

I'm thinking of Australia and New Zealand as examples, although this possibly applies to South Africa as well. I've been told the burlesque scenes there are small but growing (they weren't really around when I left NZ 6 years ago), but I know that because the cities are relatively small and the fact that both countries are a long away away from established burlesque centres in the UK and US, they probably won't have the exposure to top international acts/ teachers/resources that we currently enjoy in the UK.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't consider moving there of course, but I think it could be a lot harder to find perfomance opportunities - Antipodean forumites feel free to disagree with me on any of this, I'm only really going by what other people have told me and my own experiences with theatre when I last lived there

Dita Von Teese has celebrity status in the U.S. and although i admire her i agree she is mainstream and lacks in some areas because of that. She is very serious when she performs, she isn't much of a character, other then the fact she is beautiful.
That being said, if you do know for sure what the U.S. Burlesque scene is like, or in any country for that matter, i wouldn't be so quick to judge. The celebrities are mainstream, but there are some Burlesque performers in the U.S. that i think are changing that, and they have a more European cheekyness.
Look up Michelle L'amour... she fan dances like Sally Rand. She is stunning and she does a hillarious Snow White act. But dont watch her performance on Americas Got Talent... it didn't seem like she was being true to herself, but it did push her more into the spotlight so i guess thats good.

Now, me? I'm a Canadian Gal! The Burlesque scene in Canada is not a strong one. We have very little resources but there are alot of unique and animated groups popping up. Even in St. Johns Newfoundland! Which is a very small area indeed and has been oppressed by Christianity for a looong time... i guess thats changing. all right!
Definitely check out Sweet Soul Burlesque. Probably the one Burlesque group in Canada that are doing extreamly well for themselves- way to go girls!

I live in Winnipeg... and as far as i know, i am the only active Burlesque performer in my city. I recently heard there is infact another Burlesque group that have been performing for awhile and even travel... but i almost dont believe that because this is such a small city and i have never seen any Burlesque performance by any group unless they have traveled here on a tour. I also think the woman who recently told me this doesn't know what Burlesque is. Burlesque is sort of misused in this city and there are some "Strip Clubs" with the word Burlesque in their name.
So being the only one has its ups and downs. I am plunging further into debt and now having difficulty paying my bills because i am putting my own money into my Burlesque. And i make very little money performing. However i am more in the spotlight for Burlesque, and that makes me feel good. I've been interviewed by CBC television, i was just asked to perform at a film festival and the Senator of Ottawa asked me out on a date at my last performance *LOL* So... its cool i dont have to fight for the spotlight. But i wouldn't mind having other people to perform with. In time i will put together a group.

So now you know what Canada is like.

~Miss la Muse

I think this is an interesting thread that could garner much discussion. First, I think that the implication that Burlesque in the USA is somehow boring or mainstream to be utter rubbish. I've just returned from New York (whilst I understand that the New York Scene is still slightly different from the rest of the US) and the performances I saw are some of the most innovative that I have seen anywhere. Whilst I haven't been down to London recently, I've seen a fair bit of Burlesque over the years and the excitement and inspiration that I feel after having been immersed in the Big Apple far outweighs anything I've experienced here in the UK.
I imagine that will seem slanderous and shocking to some but, it's just how I personally see it. The performers are fresh and interesting. They aren't afraid to get political or strange and often in the cases of the likes of Tigger! and Julie Atlas Muz, their work is more performance Art than Burlesque, making their work all the more powerful and engaging for me to watch.
I agree with the points about population being a factor- there is a far greater Burlesque Scene in London, Manchester and Birmingham because of their size, because of their ability to sustain such a Scene but also to provide performers. Whilst newer clubs are cropping up all the time- which is great as it provides a greater opportunity to perform, it's also because more and more people are becoming "Performers". It's a double edged sword, but one that I welcome.
In mainland Europe, scenes are beginning to crop up all over. In Paris, France there's a growing Burlesque scene but they subscribe (and I have this from a Parisian performer herself) to the Dita Von Teese school of Burlesque, in that the more glitter, glamour, swarovski and feathers, the better. Also if you don't have a perfect body they are genuinely rather rude about why you would be taking your clothes off in the first place, although that tends to be the women rather than the men.
Italy loves Burlesque.
I can't comment on Germany- I've never really found much evidence of Burlesque in Germany, although they love their clowns, circus and fetish so it's probably there somewhere!
In Australia, it's true they don't have much of a Burlesque Scene, however the small scene they do have produces work to a very high standard and is growing and growing. Some of the greatest Acrobats, Hula Hoopists, Aerialists and Clowning acts I've seen over the years have all been Australian. They have a passion and enthusiasm that makes them extremely compelling to watch.
One of the great shows that came to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival a few years back was Moira Finucaine's "Burlesque Hour" which featured compelling, engaging and thought provoking Burlesque works that sometimes, again, were more Performance Art than Burlesque but they also came up with darkly humorous pieces as well.
If you are passionate about a subject or for the Art of Burlesque, a move may be difficult, but could be a challenge for you to introduce South Africa or wherever you move to Burlesque!

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www.myspace.com/wildcardkitty
www.wildcardkitty.com

I agree about you`re comments on the U.S. But i have a feeling this may turn into a finger pointing fest- ``Our country is better then so and so for Burlesque.``
I find Europeans are incredibly deffensive and protective of their Burlesqing. And power to you, it did originate in Europe However, every country has dynamic Burlesque performers. And i think it would be rude to suggest a Burlesque scene lacks spirit in certain places.
We are all beautiful and talented in our own ways.

Miss la Muse

I can't comment in a way to help Dani, but I have started to realise that the USA scene isn't quite as straight and dull as I initially imagined - exciting time for me as I hunt down the more underground stuff that may only be on YouTube until the censors get their scissors out.

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Silk Stocking Striptease Show

Like everyone has mentioned above, burlesque thrive in New York and LA. I should also add Seattle (Washington state), Austin (Texas), and New Orleans. Being in Dallas, Texas, burlesque is not as mainstream as I would like it to be, perhaps due to the fact that I am in the Bible Belt

New york, LA, Paris, Vegas, Berlin, Milan

This is true in Aus... Brisbane and Melbourne each have a beautiful little burly-q community, it's loyal, high quality and it certainly is growing, but at this stage "limited in what it can supply" is a pretty accurate description. Our premium performers all head abroad - my lovely mentor is about to headline Tease-a-Rama New York.

I'm very keen to check out the UK scene when i arrive in January.