Thread: Is there room for seriousness on the burlesque stage?

In response to Gehenna's thread about Touch 2 Wild it got me thinking about what 'fits' nicely on a burlesque stage. On a lot of burlesque nights there are non-burlesque acts that sit comfortably with the tassels and titters; singers, musicians, magic comedy etc... they all rub along nicely if it's the right kind of performer doing the right kind of act.

But what i was wondering is, how would audience memebers feel if in the midst of all the merriment they were presented with an act similar in format and context to a burlesque act but with a mood that was more sombre?

I am in the very early, concept planning stages of an act which is growing into something that is not burlesque but which shares some qualities with other burlesque acts i have done (in the sense that it's a short character vignette to music, but not necessarily a dance, per se) but where all of my other acts have been cheeky, saucy or humerous this one seems to be growing into almost a performance art piece or a wordless monologue (i realise how pretentious that sounds... sorry) that explores a character and this character's world, while not sobbingly sad is definately not baps bums and a jolly good old laugh like most of my acts are.

So, what it looks like is that what i will produce will not really be a 'burlesque' act as it would not have droves of the qualities that are traditionally associated with it but i wonder, would it still be something (in theory, assuming it was executed well and not rubbish!) that people would be happy to see on a burlesque show's bill or would people feel that something a little more serious would be out of place?

Any feedback is appreciated guys (even if it is negative... i won't go into a hissy), also i realise i have not been massively explicit on the content of the act but i don't like to go into detail too early on as they always seem to change so much from first idea to completion.

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I hope there's room for seriousness - many of my acts aren't at all humorous and I don't think they suffer for it. But those of mine are all about visual spectacle, so I can't identify too much with the performance art you're looking at. Your description does make me think of Vicky Butterfly and her acts, many of which aren't comedy and can be described as performance art, and which I think are fantastic additions to a burlesque line-up. But personally, as an audience member, the key word in my mind is variety. If I go to a show and it's act after act of girl doing cutesy cheeky striptease down to tassels, I get so bored! Acts with different moods and themes are good, just to break up the evening, and different genres help there too, to keep an audience's attention. Something with a more sombre mood would be ideal, and very interesting I think - as long as the promoter ordered the acts in such a way that it fitted in nicely and didn't stick out like a sore thumb (ordering of acts is something which I take a lot of notice of).

Definitely Emerald! Explore that side of your performance skills at least - you don't know where it will lead you to! I think Fleur is absolutely right, variety is the key! I think as long as you're act has a narrative (which it sounds as if it has) and the audience can understand the message, they will stay involved and thus enjoy it.

I'm curious. If you do take this concept to the stage then I would be very interested in watching it.

I think it sounds interesting, and very enigmatic at the moment. Could they bill you later in the evening when everyone's a bit more open minded (i.e. pished), as that could help it go down better? I'd imagine it would be disconcerting not to have the immediate assurance you get from more conventional striptease acts as the audience wouldn't know the rules (cheering for the removal of clothing or a particularly funny prop, etc) and would have to wait for the end to show their appreciation. Seen a lot of great acts with serious content and there's no written rule that everything burlesque has to be sugar coated. Besides, people are often complimentary about things that they don't understand that could be classed as 'arty' as they don't want to look foolish! And it would be memorable. Post a link if you do perform it!

Originally Posted by Emerald_Ace

But what i was wondering is, how would audience memebers feel if in the midst of all the merriment they were presented with an act similar in format and context to a burlesque act but with a mood that was more sombre?

I am in the very early, concept planning stages of an act which is growing into something that is not burlesque but which shares some qualities with other burlesque acts i have done (in the sense that it's a short character vignette to music, but not necessarily a dance, per se) but where all of my other acts have been cheeky, saucy or humerous this one seems to be growing into almost a performance art piece or a wordless monologue (i realise how pretentious that sounds... sorry) that explores a character and this character's world, while not sobbingly sad is definately not baps bums and a jolly good old laugh like most of my acts are.

It sounds fascinating Emerald - I agree with Fleur that the best burlesque evenings are ones where a variety of different acts with a lot of different feels and themes are portrayed, yours sounds like it would be theatrical, intelligent and definitely unique - all qualities that are found in the best Burlesque routines! :twothumbs:

There is definitely space for serious acts. Do it Emerald. We shouldn't limit us to cute cheeky acts or playing the vamp in any way and explore what ideas we come up with. Serious acts are more difficult, you can't hide mistakes behind an *oops* or a cheeky grin.


Go for it I think we'd all love to see the outcome.

I agree with Fleur and Gehenna. I do a mix of comedy and staright in my magic routine BUT, at some gigs comedy was NOT the thing to do and at others totally straight was not the thing to do.

I think that a straight routine has it's merits alongside all the rest and, is different from the norm to pique the punters interest perhaps.

I once watched a reverse strip one time, the young lady came out naked then got dressed in Victorian clothing, no music, no comic faces, no sex other than her natural bending and twisting as she dressed...............I can honestly say that that routine has been the ONLY strip routine that has ever got me interested.

Anyway, I say go for it sweetheart, you have got nowt to lose and, if it has got Gehenna thinking of looking at it......................The idea must be sound

I am very happy you brought up this discussion;:twothumbs: I've got the same problem as you have. I do understand myself as a non-porfessional but still passionate dancer (not yet as a burlesque performer) and I want to embrace all of my ideas and inspiration. That's also why I like danceforms that challenge own choreographies, costume ideas and so on.
I think that art shouldn't limit the artists. Art should make development possible, it should evolve like society, like history, like people or cultures evolve.
I don't think Bettie Page thought: All other bombshells have curly blonde hair- am I not a bombshell unless I color mine? All other bombshells pose in nice girly poses- am I allowed to do fetish?

But that's exactly the kind of questions I ask myself whenever I've got a new performance idea.
I hope I'll overcome that one day.

Originally Posted by Belle de Nuit

I don't think Bettie Page thought: All other bombshells have curly blonde hair- am I not a bombshell unless I color mine? All other bombshells pose in nice girly poses- am I allowed to do fetish?

As an interesting aside to this, I think that's true of a lot of women who've made a real splash with their sexuality and style throughout history. :love:

Certainly, the most oft-repeated contemporary comment about Anne Boleyn and Cleopatra to name but two, was the constant refrain that they really didn't match up the contemporary ideals of beauty - it was their style, wit and natural charisma that had men falling at their feet. :cooler:

The important thing to remember is that they didn't get to top billing in the history books by trying to be a pale imitation of some fictional "perfect woman" - they were themselves, just as hard and unapologetically as they could be and the world is a richer place for it. :cooler: