MEDIA BURLESQUE FAQ

This page provides background information for print/broadcast and blogging media.  Please use this page to inform your questions.

What is burlesque?

Burlesque/burlesk (pronounced bur lesk) as a word has been around since the 17^th Century where the word derives from the Italian burlesco, which, in turn, is derived from the Italian burla – a joke, ridicule or mockery.  Now days it is spelt Burlesque, but historically burlesk is also another spelling.

Other words that refer to burlesque is Vaudeville, ecdysiast, exotic dancer, cabarets.

Burlesque can be absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something, especially in a literary or dramatic work; a parody.
Burlesque can involve strip tease or reverse strip tease.

Burlesque can be sexy, funny, thought provoking, challenging, messy, refined but most of all burlesque is a woman’s voice in a mans world.

Where did burlesque start?

It depends on the country, burlesque is in America, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand. Even in countries like Singapore and the Middle East.

America traces its burlesque history back to Sally Rand (1934), Gypsy Rose Lee (1936).

Where as in United Kingdom Lydia Thompson sailed to New York in 1868 with the British Blondes to take burlesque to the USA.

With the world wars the Burlesque and Vaudeville came down under.  New Zealand has Freda Stark, Lenore Truscott and Margaret Austin.

Why is Burlesque important?

Historically burlesque has provided a stage for the feminine voice when there were laws against women performing in public or being on stage. In the UK in the 17^th Century women would dress as men and poke fun at the society of the day, in a time when the cultural norm was not to have women on stage.

Burlesque becomes even more important today when performers in certain states in America can get arrested for showing nipples or wearing fur on their g-string. It provides a female voice in a male dominated world.