What is Burlesque?
MoB Academy
What is Burlesque?
WHAT IS BURLESQUE?
Burlesque is a theatrical genre with an often misunderstood design.
It can be loosely defined as ‘suggestive (or provocative) performance art’, ‘suggestive’ meaning that it is designed to suggest ‘the unsaid’ or ‘provocative’ meaning that it intends to ‘provoke a reaction’.
Recently, the word ‘burlesque’ has come to apply to various distinct forms of just such entertainment. These varying forms are diverse and should not be confused with one another. From the sexy striptease antics of early 20th century America to bawdy British satire and spoof 18th century Italian opera, the different forms of burlesque represent different cultural histories and are often centuries apart in origin.
The origin of the term ‘burlesque’ is contentious, with most citing the Italian for ‘joke’ as its root. The actual, literal definition of the word ‘burlesque’ is ‘to satirise, make mockery of or send up’. This is taken chiefly from the theatrical genre of burlesque. To save confusion, the theatrical genre is now known today as ‘classical burlesque’.
In Britain, burlesque in verse and prose was first popularised in the 14th century by Geoffrey Chaucer’s satirical The Canterbury Tales. Later many Irish and British satirical writers came to prominence with political and social burlesques in the 18th and 19th centuries, such as William Makepeace Thackeray.
Bawdy Style
In the theatrical genre, burlesquing is similar to the ‘travesty’ and a burlesque show is based on elaborate caricature, punning and lyrical mastery traditionally with overtones of historical, political or social commentary. This is classical burlesque. In this sense it is a classic theatre-form which in its true essence is ‘Spectacular Satire’. Both splendid and thought provoking, classical burlesque is the home of high-brow musical comedy, ironic iconography, playful punning and bawdy ‘Brit Wit’.
It is thought to be a sophisticated ancestor of the modern pantomime – indeed many of the Victorian pantomime writers were also the chief writers of the burlesques. In Great Britain, burlesquing has remained relatively unchanged in 500 years as a form of public satire but it was popularised in the 19th century with lavish production values and renegade style where its history is steeped in powerful social change and icons of female empowerment. Among its most famous we count Geoffrey Chaucer, Eliza Vestris, JR Planche, Gilbert & Sullivan, Lydia Thompson, The Western Brothers, Carry On and Monty Python.
The form then spread to the USA in the 1860s but in adapting to American humour it quickly lost its satire. Later, in the first half of the 20th century, a new form of ‘burlesque’ would be created that was peculiar to American culture. Back here, classical burlesque carried on and is still very much alive in Britain today.
Sexy Style
The American burlesque represents striptease and the adult entertainment typical of the early part of the 20th century. The term ‘burlesque’ was used by proprietors to describe the comic adult-oriented variety shows in which striptease acts would also perform. Borrowing from the style of 19th century burlesquers (of the classical tradition), the strippers adopted the gimmicks and comical parodying which have come to characterise this sort of performance.
Eventually, the ‘burlesque striptease’ became a form in itself and it usually describes an act where humour or pastiche is combined with the classic (non-nude) striptease. Burlesque-striptease is therefore, a hybrid form of two different styles – ‘burlesque’ and ‘striptease’.
Again over time, the word came to be more general in its application with the result being that striptease performers adopted the term ‘burlesque’ in place of the more licentious adult or ‘exotic dance’ terms. In America, the term ‘burlesque’ is now generally accepted to refer to the sort of non-nude striptease and adult-style performance which emphasises glamour – with or without comedy/parody. In Britain there is some debate over this usage, as the American burlesque itself is relatively new here.
There are other applications of the word ‘burlesque’ too of course, but the Classical and American styles are the main forms which are popular today, especially the American form. Every style under the ‘burlesque’ name continues to employ many contrasting skills performed by both men and women with different cultural and historical influences. It’s simply a matter of personal style, knowledge and clarity on the part of a performer as to how they term their art forms.
Striptease
It should be noted that the terms ‘burlesque’ and ‘striptease’ are not synonymous or interchangeable and yet are often confused. Striptease is an art-form in its own right and is often used by modern burlesque performers who like to combine the two genres or mix in all manner of styles and ideas.
Often, especially in the growing British scene, the term is simply used as an ‘umbrella term’ for classical, American and related styles which are interpreted according to context. For the sake of clarity, industry professionals make distinction in their styles accordingly.
From performer to performer, you can expect to find a mix of satirical, bawdy, sensual, circus, political, risqué, classical, avant-garde and curiosity style acts. Each performer will employ a slightly different and personalised interpretation of the term ‘burlesque’ which leads to the great variety of styles within the wider, modern genre.
Where can I find out more about burlesque?
More information can be found on the Ministry of Burlesque website, www.ministryofburlesque.com, which is a free online resource with lots of articles by the industry’s experts and discussions by worldwide enthusiasts. Why not join the MoB forums and discuss your burlesque queries?
Written by Kittie Klaw, Ministry of Burlesque.
