Burlesque has its roots in musical and theatrical parody, where well-known operas or classical theatre was given a raunchier twist by performers not in the Establishment. The roots of the term '‘burlesque’' may come from Italian '‘burlesco’', itself derived from the Spanish '‘burla’', meaning joke. The meaning is '‘to send up’' or parody.
By the 19th century in Britain these productions were very popular with the middle classes, they were familiar enough with the originals to find their parodied versions funny. This is still apparent in sketch shows and is referred to as '‘Classical’' or '‘Theatrical’' Burlesque.
Around the same time in America the word ‘Burlesque’ was gaining use in terms of variety and music hall performances. It was not until the 20th century in America that Burlesque was reborn as a mixture of satire, performance art and more risqué adult entertainment, coming to be associated with striptease. One of the most famous Burlesque artists of this period, Gypsy Rose Lee, is often cited as an inspiration by today’s Burlesque dancers.
By the mid 1950s the genre was already losing popularity and became virtually extinct until in the 1990s Billie Madley almost single-handedly staged its revival with his ‘Cinema’.
Now, in the late 2000s, Burlesque has been revived and is flourishing, with international performers and amateurs performing all over the world.
Dita von Teese- New Queen of Striptease?
Born Heather Sweet in Rochester, Michigan, Dita’s interest in vintage was sparked by her mother, a fan of Hollywood Golden-era movies.
Dita became a stripper at 18 and was disappointed with the lack of originality displayed in the other acts. To that end, she came on stage in a beehive, elbow-length gloves, basque and seamed stockings, providing what proved to be a welcome novelty.
It was during this time she started glamour modelling, eventually featuring in Playboy in 1999, 2001 and 2002. Dita Von Teese pictures are highly sought after- erotic, but tasteful.
As a member of the ‘Nouveau Burlesque’ Dita von Teese has made a name for herself, being dubbed '‘Queen of Burlesque’'. Dita started performing burlesque in 1993, drawing on and elaborating from her original vintage-inspired strip shows. Dita has often been quoted as saying she ‘puts the ‘tease’ back into striptease’.
Dita’s shows involve long dance acts, with numerous props, often taking inspiration from Busby Berkeley style 1930s and '40s musicals. Her signature burlesque show features her taking a bath in a giant martini glass, complete with olive sponge. Other burlesque shows that caused a stir featured her in a powder compact, and on a carousel horse.
One other memorable burlesque show involved her dressed in nothing but $5 million’s worth of diamonds at a benefit for the New York Academy of Art. When she performed at Koko in London in 2006, the management received more interest in her than any other act featured there, including Madonna.
Dita Von Teese has been adopted by the world of high fashion, featuring on catwalks and appearing at parties given by top Paris designers as well as topping several '‘Best Dressed’' lists. She has been very influential in the growing popularity of Burlesque.
Immodesty Blaize- Britain’s Premier Burlesque Dancer
Immodesty Blaize was born Kelly Fletcher in Hitchin, Hertfordshire and before becoming a full-time Burlesque dancer and showgirl, won awards for producing TV commercials.
Immodesty started in Burlesque in the mid nineties and found herself working in performance art shows around Brick Lane, but was met with confusion, as people didn’t know what she was doing.
'‘I had a hard job to convince people I wasn’t going to do the classic Stringfellows stripper.’'
Immodesty has won widespread recognition in the UK with her theatrical performances and elaborate costumes. She has been credited as bringing the art form out from the underground and into the mainstream arena.
She performed with musician Goldfrapp in 2003 and had a five month run in London’s West End in 2005. She brought Burlesque back to the Windmill Theatre, the legendary first site of nude tableaux in England in the 1930s.
Immodesty Blaize won the crown at the Las Vegas Burlesque Hall of Fame in 2007.
Burlesque Revival
It’s not just at professional and international level that Burlesque is everywhere these days- classes and performances are sprouting in even the most unlikely locations. American Burlesque revival has found spiritual homes in London, Paris and Berlin, all cities with past strong cabaret traditions, as well as much smaller towns.
At the recent Burlesque Festival held in Paris, amateur London burlesque dancer Franziska Schwarz had this to say
'‘I enjoy Burlesque because it combines a number of things that I like. So, it's kind of getting it all in one. Love the music, love the clothes, and a bit of dance to go along with it. I like the whole story around it, it's not just going for a dancing class, but it makes things just a wee bit more special and adds glamour to it. It’s popular because it’s different, I guess.’'
Given its current popularity, and the desire for retro glamour often missing in times of stark modernity, it seems safe to say that Burlesque will continue to grow for some time yet.
 |
