Thread: What is Burlesque?

Hey guy's i'm currently writing an article on the true meaning of burlesque and why we see so many performers advertised as burlesque that are just pure shock factor performers.

I'd appreciate any replies as to what you think defines burlesque from any other performance or dance style and what you feel the true meaning is!

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I would recommend reading Striptease from Gas Light to Spotlight by Jessica Glasscock and Burlesque the New Bump & Grind by Michelle Baldwin for decent interpretations. Also see as many shows as you can to draw a conclusion of your own. Nowadays I think burlesque is an 'umbrella' term for various concepts which I think have evolved historically.

The happy stripper and horrible prettyness are also good referancing books,
Personaly to me burlesque is freedome of expression so any shock factor, cabaret,fetish,goarlesque is fine by me as long as it's entertaining.
Burlesque is a satire or a mockery and weather you take it literaly or your act is a social political commentery on life in the 21st centuary as an artform it shouldn't conform to a set formular and should be a personal expression of the artists thoughts and feeling.

(tm.- hs,08. just incase this thread should appear in the future.)

Lord Dashwood has a great 'meaning of burlesque' page on his website!

About Burlesque

Miss Diamond Blush

Thanks girls! x

Burlesque is a form of theatre which is 'suggestive'. It is traditionally based on character acting and palyful satire. Although here in Britain the form itself has remained relatively unchanged in 500 years and still has active performers, it has also undergone cultural reinterpretation elsewhere and has become attached to other forms of entertainment in recent years too.

For example, the relatively recent American reinterpretation of the British form, is the burlesque-striptease (currently enjoying mass popularity across the globe) and by it's own definition, it is a comical or satirical strip-tease.

'Striptease' is an ancient artform in it's own right and is not entangled in a necessary remit of satire.

Ministry Of Burlesque Magazine | The Real Burlesque Story - A Short Theatrical History

Please do read this article - it should help give an overview of it's diversity and why it often means different things to different people.