Burlesque is Back!

In recent years, Burlesque dancing has had something of a resurgence with burlesque nights popping up a bars and clubs up and down the country. Maybe it's a result of labelling the first decade of the twenty first century the Noughties, making it more acceptable for entertainment to get naughty in the Noughties?  Maybe the resurgence is entirely due to the success of the films Burlesque and Moulin Rouge which hit cinemas at each end of the decade. Whatever the reason, the punters keep coming back and unlike strip clubs which tend to have a largely male audience, burlesque nights are frequented by men, women and couples.

 

The burlesque revival, or neo-burlesque began in the USA in the mid nineties with shows gaining recognition on both the east and west coast. Probably the best known face of neo-burlesque is the American model and dancer, Dita Von Teese who's Martini Glass dance routine has wowed audiences on both sides of the Atlantic and even appeared as a dancer for the German entry in 2009's Eurovision song contest. It's ironic that burlesque was brought to the States in the 1860's by the English troupe, The British Blondes led by Lydia Thompson, only to be repackaged and sent back to Europe some 140 years later.

 

When I attended my first burlesque night a couple of years ago I wasn't sure what to expect. Part of me expected a series of dance routines which ended in the dropping of a bra strap of a quick flash of the knickers before the performer left the stage. Another pat of me expected something a lot closer to performances seen in table dancing or strip clubs in all their sleazy glory. What I got was something in between the two; almost every item of clothing was removed, but done so with such a sense of fun and comedy. This wasn't stripping, the wasn't burlesque, this was pure, unadulterated entertainment and I along with the rest of the mixed audience was grinning from ear to ear as we applauded each act.

 

Neo-burlesque shows are growing in popularity, so much so they seem to be giving many adult clubs in London a run for their money. Burlesque is more accessible than pole or table dancing, and focusing on the entertainment aspect rather than the strip is attracting a much wider audience to many adult clubs in London and throughout the UK.

 

 

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