Burlesque: A Short History of the Stage Form

Burlesque is a theatrical form that combines parody, comedy, music, dance and costume reveal. Its meaning has shifted over time, which sometimes confuses audiences. Today the term usually describes stylized, humorous and glamorous performances in which striptease is an element, not the whole point.

Canadian cities host burlesque troupes, festivals, classes and recurring cabaret nights, and the scene forms a distinct part of the country's live performance culture.

Victorian parody theatre

The word comes from the Italian burlesco, meaning mocking. In nineteenth-century Britain, burlesque meant stage parody that poked fun at opera, Shakespeare and other respected works. Performers often used exaggeration and puns, and women playing male roles became a notable feature.

The form crossed to North America and developed into variety shows featuring songs, sketches and dance.

The striptease era

In the early twentieth century, American burlesque houses gradually emphasized dance and undressing as comedy sketches declined. Performers such as Gypsy Rose Lee became famous for combining wit with disrobing. Regulation, changing tastes and competition from film and television led to the decline of this era by the mid-twentieth century.

Neo-burlesque revival

Starting in the 1990s, performers in the United States, Britain and elsewhere revived the form, often called neo-burlesque. The revival drew on vintage glamour while adding contemporary themes, satire and a wider range of body types, genders and ethnic backgrounds.

Acts may involve live music, circus skills, drag, comedy or political commentary. Many performers treat costume design and original choreography as central to their craft.

Burlesque in Canada

Troupes operate in major cities and smaller communities, and annual festivals attract visiting performers from other countries. Local producers often stage themed revues built around a particular era, film genre or concept.

Classes in burlesque dance and stagecraft are widely offered, and participants include professionals, hobbyists and people seeking a creative outlet.

Audience and context

Shows are generally restricted to adults and held in theatres, bars and clubs. Audiences vary, and many performers describe the form as celebrating confidence and individuality. Critics and supporters continue to discuss its relationship to feminism, commerce and the objectification of bodies.