What is Burlesque?
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1. Burlesque had a huge popularization in the 1840’s in Europe; it also became popular in Canada and the United States at about this time. But by the 1880’s Burlesque had made a name for itself and had certain rules, including: minimum costuming, sexually related dialog, witty remarks that were easy to laugh at and easy to follow entertaining skits. Still at this point, Burlesque was classy.
2. Burlesque was originally a show that poked fun at lowbrow society it; had everything from comic sketches to dancing skits, with women as the actors. It was a show for the upper class to go and enjoy and evolved from there. The genre regularly mocked such fundamental entertainment types as opera, Shakespearean drama, ballet and musicals.
3.In 1898 gold is discovered in Yukon, Alaska and Burlesque dancers started to make their way to neighboring Saloons.
In 1913, the Dominion Theatre, later known as Le Figaro, opens in Montreal. It seated 700 patrons and featured many famous dancers. Throughout the 1920’s, Burlesque went through a very industrializing time. More was seen on stage, more women were arrested for indecencies and in 1929 most stage lines are banned. But only one year after in 1930 does it go somewhat underground and hit New York City. It will prosper here for many a year, even though it is in the midst of the Great Depression.
By 1937, 7 major Broadway Theatres had been transformed into Burlesque houses. Later that year, New York started to crack down on the Burlesque houses and eventually shut them down; it will take ten years for Burlesque to regains its respect.
In 1940, after America's entry into WWII, Burlesque has a rebirth. Burlesque is just the sort of entertainment that appeals to the millions of service men and wartime workers doing overtime to avenge Pearl Harbor. Through the next thirty years, Burlesque houses went through many up and downs.
Burlesque Today
Within the past few years there has been a robust eruption of the Burlesque in the United States.
Dita Von Teese is very well known in the world or Burlesque. She has brought back the art in a special way that no one else could.
The Media has been recognizing Burlesque as an art form as of late, with one music video in particular Lady Marmalade, featuring pop greats Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink and Lil’ Kim. When this video was released in 2001 it caused a bit of controversy, as well as the movie it was produced for (Moulin Rogue) did. Today, it is looked at as just another video.
The Pusscycat Dolls, a hit in the UK and now the US are a group of what is seemingly a new generation of Burlesque. The Pusscat Dolls may soon have everything from music, DVDs, film, video games, tours and fixed venue shows to lingerie and cosmetics under the Pussycat Dolls imprint. ``It's not enough anymore just to be a musical artist. You have to hit on a lot of cylinders.''
"We would love to go to the Burlesque show that is coming up, they don't come to our town often. I have heard that they are something to see."
See
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A variety show that uses comedians,
Burlesque shows are precursors to vaudeville. Vaudville is the precursor to the American musical. Burlesque is the "grandfather" of the American musical!
