Thread: Routine Etiquette?

I have a couple of routines that I want to develop and I have googled, youtubed and everything else I can think of to make sure no one is doing exactly the same act.

My problem is, both these acts feature well known fictional characters and though I have found other routines that feature the same characters or have similar props, none have the complete package = characters, props, music and overall theme/plot.

I am very aware of not wanting to step on people's toes, but as long as there wasn't exactly the same routine out there would this be acceptable? What is the consensus of the MoB hivemind?

I am really loving the routines I am working on and would be upset if they rubbed someone up the wrong way, but also don't want to just give up on them as I know someone else has done a completely different routine but with the same character or props.

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Hi honey
dropping a performer a line I think is the best way to stop any ill feeling. I think we can't help overlapping on themes and props, as long as they are not very very unusual I think its okay.
Someone last year used a similar prop/ gag to one of mine in a similar act, using the same music. It was to close and really annoyed me. As mine had been out for two years people commented to me that this girl was copying. I don't think she was and I did speak to her about it but she insisted on still doing the act. I don't think it did her reputation any good as many promoters emailed me to say they would not book her. But she would not listen and would not take my help when offered.
I appreciate when someone drops me a line and 9 out of 10 times I reassure the person that the act is different enough.
Its just nice to be asked.
Diva x

I think that modern burlesque has gotten to the stage where it is very hard to find new acts or themes (especially with more classic acts). Even if someone isnt on you tube doing it there may be somewhere elsewhere in the world doing a similar act.

For example I started doing a gold egyptian wings of isis act last march and researched and googled before i started and only recently when watching the immodesty blaize dvd do I find that Kalani Kokonuts has a similar act and after looking at her pics of myspace shes been doing it since at least sept 2008. I'm actually surprised that noone has mentioned this to me before as several performers that have seen my act have also seen kalanis..

Annoyingly I have been thinking of revamping the costume with a massive headresss but then my costume will be almost identical

Kalani....



Me....

This is something that was driving me absolutely crazy last year, I found myself spending way too much time trauling the internet paranoid that I would be doing someone elses act and was getting nowhere. You have to invest so much in an act I just hated the idea of putting all that in and having to change it, but I think thats just the way it goes sometimes.

Various peeps on here gave me some very good advice last year when I asked a similar thing- I'm sorry, I haven't mastered the linking thread thing yet, duh, but if you check the threads you might find it- I found it very helpful.

As Miss Hettie says, it's very hard not run into someone at some stage whos had the same idea as you, and you can't let it hold you back but you have to always be prepared to adapt and change.

The jist of the advice I was given was; try your best but not to worry too much particularly if you're not doing it proffessionally, do a reasonable amount of research and try to see as many acts as possible.
If you do come across someone who's act is too similar you should probably get in touch and discuss it.

Sometimes I find it's hard to know what's too similar and what isn't ie there are lot's of feather fan dances and fictional characters and traditional scenarios used over and over again, but on the whole it's what the individual does with them that makes them origional.


I think on the whole if an idea comes fom the heart it'll have your stamp on it . Even if it shares similarities unless you directly copy it's unlikely to be identical and having to change things sometimes is just part of the process, so don't worry too much. xx

Hi hunny,
It is smart to go lots of you tubing/googling before you get too attached to an idea but like the others said certain themes will stand to be used by more than one performer as long as the interpretation and excecution is different. The more well used the theme the more you have to think outside the box to make your act interesting but it can be done!

With fictional characters it is both harder and easier in different ways, you already have a really solid starting point which is good but as a lot of people will often just play out the character's original story it means you have to be more inventive if you use a character someone else has already burlesqued.

I don't know if I explained that real good. What I mean is, take a character like say, Dorain Gray. I'm sure someone has done him but the name escapes me. Lets say someone does a Dorian Gray act where they produce uglier and uglier paintings and they stay hot. Just like the book. If someone else does Dorian they will have to re-interpret the story to make theirs original. So maybe the next person to use the character they get old and ugly next to a beautiful painting of themselves using a reverse on the theme. Perhaps the next person wants to use Dorain Gray as a starting point too, so they... I don't know maybe use a white board and draw uglier and uglier sketches of themselves as they strip to a lovlier and lovlier costume - using the same theme from the book but re-imagining it to make it have a different focus. Maybe someone else re-imagines Dorian's tale using wings of isis or feather fans. Etc.

Obviously the more people have used the theme the more you have to play with it to make your act something special. Just using different music (not suggesting that's your plan but for some that's all they'll do) is not usually enough. It might be worth going online and searching out some writing/performance devising/creativity exercises to try and tap into interesting new facets of your chosen character or theme. The one I like is the character game - it helps you pull out imagery to enhance your ideas. It goes like this:
If my character were a colour, what colour would they be? If they were an instrument, what instrument would they be? If they were a piece of furniture? If they were a hat? If they were a fruit? If they were a drink? And so on, with different objects and things until you get sick of it!
I find that helps me pin down exactly who I am playing and can sometimes lead you down some interesting creative avenues.

Good Luck!

The amount of times someone says to me "oh I've got this new act in the works! I'm gonna be a *insert thing here*"

and I say "I'm not suggesting you're copying, but *this person* does that."

and the instant reply is panic, or them abandoning the idea!
People will always have the same ideas over time. It's all just a matter of execution

Lili St Cyr had a Dorian Gray act- just a random adjunct!

Thank you Emerald, for your advice on the character game, that's very helpful indeed!
Coco x

Originally Posted by MissHettie

I think that modern burlesque has gotten to the stage where it is very hard to find new acts or themes (especially with more classic acts). Even if someone isnt on you tube doing it there may be somewhere elsewhere in the world doing a similar act.

For example I started doing a gold egyptian wings of isis act last march and researched and googled before i started and only recently when watching the immodesty blaize dvd do I find that Kalani Kokonuts has a similar act and after looking at her pics of myspace shes been doing it since at least sept 2008. I'm actually surprised that noone has mentioned this to me before as several performers that have seen my act have also seen kalanis..

Annoyingly I have been thinking of revamping the costume with a massive headresss but then my costume will be almost identical

Kalani....



Me....

I've been using Isis Wings for as long as High Tease has been running. I took them up as a deliberate alternative to fans and because no other burlesque performer to my knowldge was using them.

Now they are very popular. This is not because myself, Vicky Butterfly or Kalani or X, Y or Z started a trend, it's because it was always inevitable that increasing numbers of performers would increasingly experiment with available products, styles and ideas. It is certainly annoying to have your once unique trademark act apparently replicated but one must live and let live, after all we all take our inspirations from others, past and present.

My own gold wings feature in my Britannia and sometimes in my very own Egyptian act which I have had for 5 years.

Isis Wings (especially gold) are quotidian items and, especially again, in an 'Egyptian' theme.

This is why it is important to develop a unique act - not a themed dance.

From my FAQ:

Is it acceptable to copy or imitate well known acts – even from long ago? Old or New?

Burlesque literally means to ‘parody’ but don’t forget that a parody is very different to straight imitation or copying. A parody must contain direct referencing of the intended subject and make a new point or original comment. A direct imitation or copy of something historical differs greatly from something current.


Imitating or copying something from the past, is typically done in ‘homage to’ or in respect of the original artist and their work. If it is a parody then it is done with a sense of humour, pointing out flaws or obscurities. Performers intending to do either, should be sure that they do justice (and give credit) to their original source of inspiration. A weak copy is anything but a tribute. A cruel parody can be anything but funny.


Imitating or copying anything which is recognized as a signature act of a current performer is generally felt to be taboo and should be avoided. Copying a modern day performer’s act could also lead to an infringement of their performing rights and lead in to legal issues surrounding their persona and intellectual property. Don’t forget, successful performers have worked hard in carving out their niche and rely on their image and signature pieces for their own income.


However, if a certain signature act is so well known that it invites parody or satire, then playful use of the routine is generally acceptable providing the intention of the parody is clear, is justified and that the original artist is given due credit.


If in any doubt about the suitability of borrowing an idea from another artist, contact them before making any advance to ensure that you will not be treading on any toes.

For more FAQ: FAQ You - A Guide for Modern Burlesquers | Kittie - Belle Esprit & Burlesque Specialist

There are numerous threads on the forums pertaining to this issue - try the search function at the top of the page.

Originally Posted by Glorian Gray

Lili St Cyr had a Dorian Gray act- just a random adjunct!

Ooh, I should have remembered that. I read her biography about 6 months ago and they mentioned it in there. I would have loved to have seen it. Sigh.....

Coco - I used to take a creative writing class at college and they taught us it there. It's one of my favourtie creativity exercises! Hope it helps you too! x