Thread: The 'Come On' Gesture.

In my time enjoying Burlesque I have never seen a hand gesture that has been so utterly negative and yet also so stimulating as the 'come on' gesture. For those who need a description it is when a performer holds their hand/s flat upside down and then pulls their fingers backwards and forwards quickly so as to get a reaction from the audience.

The reason why I'm down on this 'come on' guesture is from seeing it used by performers to get a reaction from a quiet crowd. When I last saw this happen at a live event I actually pittied the performer, it made me feel like she had to rely on this guesture to get a response, not on her act which was in the end quite exciting if somewhat flat during the beginning and middle.

However, I believe that using the 'come on' guesture when the audience is already going crazy and cheering is actually quite a valid movement. At this point I feel that the performer is playing to the audience and their desires rather than to her own needs for a reaction.

I've brought this up because I had an interesting conversation with my other half over the subject; she was toying with using the 'come on' guesture in one small part of her routine, and I expressed to her my feelings that she should only use it if the audience is already in full noisy swing. But as I am only one person in a crowd and thus only one opinion I am seeking thoughts and feedback from other Forum users - performers and non-performers alike.

WARNING

Warning: This is an Old Thread This discussion is older than 60 days. information contained in it may no longer be current

Thats a hard one babe
I don't think I have planned to have it in but use it as a reaaction to a crowd. I think it can help if you are in a situation when the crowd is unsure of if they are allowed to make noise and this will help them to get into it.
Diva x

As Diva said, it's good to let an initially quiet crowd know that they're allowed to cheer, but some people totally overuse it. I think that most performers like to rely on talent to get real audience appreciation instead of artificial methods like this.

took me a while to figure out what on earth you meant by hands flat/upside down and moving fingers fast. i was trying all kinds of things with my hands thinking wtf? then it clicked and i was like ohhh.

ive not seen it used tbh.

i don't tend to use that exact gesture but i do cup my ear with my hand to mime 'i can't hear you...'

but this is because i come from doing street shows and i just can't mentally deal with quiet time on stage. I find it hard enough not to speak in my acts, on the street i have a headset mic and pretty much shout and scream to get attention and draw a crowd; once they are there you do your show and if you're good they stay but until that point it's merciless whoring

i also think its fine in new venues where the audience probably aren't aware that they are allowed to clap a girl/guy taking their clothes off.

i don't choreograph it into my routines however, only if i feel it's apt.

xx

I would proably use the hand cupped to ear gesture also (over the hand gestures, but it's whatever suits your character and piece really), as it encourages them to let loose a bit more.
I can see what you're saying about a quiet crowd, but sometimes they need encouragement. I had a conversation with a compere after what seemed quite a bad gig, and he said that some crowds remain quiet throughout so the performers leave the stage thinking "god, they HATE me" and then they go absolutely crazy with applause at the end, as they've loved it.
Sometimes they're remaining quiet to appreciate the whole piece, other times they're just desperate to whoop and holler, but do that "herd instinct" thing where everyone waits for someone else to do it, so encouragement can be good. It really does depend on the crowd- you're right in saying that it's down to get the performer to get them to react, as they WANT to be entertained, but AS it is down to the performer to get the crowd to react, you should feel free to encourage them. A wee bit of interaction is often nice.

I sometimes Use gestures, I think that talent generally gives the audience something to cheer about, although the use of gestures sometimes is used, i dont think theyre usually used as a primary resource. I could be wrong though?

Lols.

I think the development of burlesque and performing to new audiences who often haven't been to see burlesque before has a lot to do with the various 'come-on' gestures. Many new audiences dont realize that its ok to shout and cheer during the performances and the 'come-on' gesture can just gear them up to realize that we like a bit of vocal support. Though i wouldn't choreograph them into my routine depending on the audience and type of routine throwing one in to liven up the crowd isn't a compromise of someones talent. Obviously if these gestures are being used all through out the routine it may be a different matter but I think that generally that small amount of interaction with the audience makes them feel comfortable to cheer and livens up the atmosphere.