What is Burlesque? The Empowering Meaning Behind It (2024)

FAQs

What is Burlesque? The Empowering Meaning Behind It? ›

A burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects. The word derives from the Italian burlesco, which, in turn, is derived from the Italian burla – a joke, ridicule or mockery.

A burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects. The word derives from the Italian burlesco, which, in turn, is derived from the Italian burla – a joke, ridicule or mockery.

Burlesque is a way of dancing that empowers the performers on stage through theatrical elements. It's also a way of storytelling that touches on humor and irony.

In the United States the term connotes a light entertainment popular from the mid-1890s until the early 1930s that consisted of 10 to 15 individual unrelated acts, featuring magicians, acrobats, comedians, trained animals, jugglers, singers, and dancers. It is the counterpart of the music hall and variety in England.

But feminist principles are found throughout burlesque's history. Women in burlesque defied social and gender norms to assert themselves and their bodies. As artists, as workers, and as women, burlesque performers practiced on stage the ideals that feminists put forth in their books, essays, and speeches.

It can be argued that drag began as a type of burlesque act, as the performers would often be mocking society's standards of women in comedic and often ridiculous ways, demonstrating the ridiculous expectations that were placed on women.

Traditionally, burlesque was a type of variety show that purported to be both provocative and entertaining.

A burlesque show is not like going to a strip club. Unlike a strip club, you should not necessarily expect nudity from a burlesque show. Dancers at a burlesque show plan their routines carefully and do a lot of training, just like strippers do. Burlesque performers incorporate lots of different talents into their acts.

A staple of theatrical burlesque was the display of attractive women in travesty roles, dressed in tights to show off their legs, but the plays themselves were seldom more than modestly risqué.

Von Teese is best known for her burlesque routines and is frequently dubbed the "Queen of Burlesque" in the press. Von Teese began performing burlesque in 1992, and, as a proponent of Neo-Burlesque, has helped to popularize its revival.

How to be a burlesque girl? ›

Becoming a successful burlesque dancer or performer involves several key steps: begin with burlesque classes, learn about the art form, craft your debut act, prepare your promotional materials, use social media for networking, gain experience, and maintain professionalism, enhance your skills, develop your second act.

The art of burlesque first came onto the scene in the mid-nineteenth century, and though its popularity somewhat cooled in the early 1900s it's now having a big moment of revival. Neo-burlesque, as the movement is called, has people packing cabarets once again.

Burlesque is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, language and some thematic material. Violence: A woman smashes the window of another's car after a verbal fight. Several other characters also exchange angry words.

The long history of burlesque includes such early examples in Greece as Batrachomyomachia (The Battle of the Frogs and Mice), an anonymous burlesque of Homer, and the comedies of Aristophanes (5th–4th century bc).

Originating from Victorian England & New York City, during this time, it began as a form of theatre that cleverly mocked and satirized popular operas, plays, and societal issues. As the years went by, the comedic aspects of burlesque gradually evolved, embracing a more daring and alluring nature.

Why was it illegal in the 1920s to 1930s? Burlesque often included half-naked women and comedians who specialized in “blue” humor. Fan dances and strip shows were usually part of burlesque. This offended the social mores of the time.