Paths Into Burlesque in Canadian Cities

Burlesque is a theatrical art of playful striptease with costume, humour and character. Performers and producers in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and smaller cities often describe routes into it that share a pattern: a chance introduction, a stretch of classes and the encouragement of established artists.

This article describes that common path in general terms and does not profile any individual performer.

An unplanned start

Many performers say their first exposure came when they attended a show without knowing what kind it was. Meeting an established performer or the head of a burlesque school at such an event is a frequent turning point, and the warmth shown to complete beginners is often cited as the reason they tried it.

After about a year of lessons, a gap in a show lineup can open with only a few days to spare. Debuting was never the plan for many, but bookings begin to arrive regularly once a first number is on stage.

Modern style and signature acts

A large share of current performers describe their approach as modern, shaped by rock music and fan culture. Classical routines are often seen as harder and a little daunting, so they are treated as a challenge to work toward. Typical signature numbers pair an alternative rock song with a ringmaster persona, or play on fairy tales with a costume reveal that ends in pasties.

Mentors and admired performers

Mentorship runs through the scene. Performers credit teachers and touring artists for stage manner, business skill and ideas for new acts. An aerial routine by a mentor, for instance, can encourage a student to study trapeze or hoop.

Geek culture on stage

Performers raised on science-fiction television, fantasy novels, comics and online role-playing games often turn those interests into themed shows, sometimes pitting fans of two famous space franchises against each other. Casts can mix women, men and performers outside that binary, along with circus acts. Geek-themed burlesque of this kind has appeared in many North American cities.

Burlesque, stripping and the mainstream

Burlesque and stripping are close relatives that differ in detail. Some performers have worked in other adult entertainment and describe the two as related but distinct, with differences in audience, venue and creative control.

On the mainstream question, many see a larger place for burlesque in pop culture, helped by a Hollywood film, yet doubt that popular ideas of burlesque match the community's own. One common view is that the genre will count as mainstream once nobody asks the question. Stated aims among producers often include theatre-style cabaret, more dance and aerial study, and festival appearances abroad.