The Bounce and Beauty of Burlesque...
by Big Mamma D

Long ago, in a galaxy far far away...(Oh Wait! That's the wrong story.)

Burlesque came about in a time just before the turn of the century (the 19th century). Women were seeking independence from being male possesions. The lower and upper social classes were divided so greatly that there was barely any middle class to speak of (sound familiar?). People were either rich and priviledged or poor and seeking freedom through satire, entertainment and anything other than a drab boring daily life.

Enter Stage Right, the Burlesque show! At first it was the earliest vaudville style acts which included song and dance and satire, humor and wit and maybe a few dancing girls. Shows leaned more towards live entertainment and sweeping away the audience for a couple of hours of sketch comedy and wonderous acts. Burlesque was originally a form of art that mocked by imitation, referring to everything from comic sketches to dance routines and usually lampooning the social attitudes of the upper classes. It was often ridiculous in that it imitated several styles, and combined imitations of authors and artists with absurd descriptions. In this, the term was often used interchangeably with "pastiche," "parody," Possibly due to historical social tensions between the upper classes and lower classes of society, much of the humor and entertainment focused on lowbrow and ribald subjects. The popularity of these shows, and their audiences, grew.

The girls of burlesque originally started fully clothed...and stayed that way. The bounce came from a lack of the heavy undergarments of the time. What girl can really dance in a corset, bustle, bloomers, stockings, chemise, slip, underskirt, and full dress over it all with hat and high heels?? Necessity lead to the Burlesque girl. Scandelous behavior such as showing their ankles brought the men into the theatre. But of course most just read it for the articles...err..came to the show for the satire and comedy. Yeah, that's it.  

Artist's Web Site