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Introduction

Burlesque is a performance art form that blends theatricality, satire, and sensuality, often characterized by exaggerated humor, elaborate costumes, and striptease elements. Originating in the 17th century as a form of literary and theatrical parody, burlesque evolved over centuries into a vibrant entertainment style, particularly known for its provocative dance and social commentary. This history explores burlesque’s roots, its golden age in the 19th and 20th centuries, its decline, and its modern revival, highlighting key figures, cultural shifts, and its enduring legacy.

Origins: 17th to 18th Century

Burlesque began as a literary and theatrical genre in Europe, derived from the Italian term burlesco, meaning “to jest” or “mock.” In the 17th century, burlesque literature, such as Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote (1605), parodied classical works with exaggerated humor and absurdity. By the 18th century, theatrical burlesque emerged in England and France, satirizing high art forms like opera and classical theater. Playwrights like John Gay (The Beggar’s Opera, 1728) used burlesque to mock societal norms and elite culture, blending bawdy humor with social critique. These early performances featured comedic sketches, music, and exaggerated characters, often performed in small theaters or music halls.

19th Century: The Birth of Modern Burlesque

Burlesque as a distinct performance style took shape in the 19th century, particularly in Britain and the United States. The 1860s marked a pivotal moment with the arrival of Lydia Thompson and her troupe, the British Blondes, in New York in 1868. Their show, Ixion, introduced a new form of burlesque that combined parody, music hall elements, and risqué performances by women in tights—a scandalous departure from Victorian norms. Thompson’s troupe performed comedic skits, songs, and dances, poking fun at high culture while showcasing female performers in revealing costumes.

In the U.S., burlesque shows became a staple in urban theaters, blending vaudeville, minstrel shows, and early striptease. They catered to working-class audiences, offering affordable entertainment with a mix of comedy, music, and spectacle. By the late 19th century, burlesque venues like the Columbia Theatre in New York City formalized the genre, introducing chorus lines and star performers. The term “burlesque” became synonymous with lighthearted, slightly naughty entertainment, though it retained its satirical edge.

Early 20th Century: The Golden Age

The early 20th century, particularly from the 1910s to the 1940s, is considered burlesque’s golden age in the United States. Burlesque theaters proliferated across cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, with iconic venues like Minsky’s Burlesque at the National Winter Garden Theatre. The genre evolved into a structured format featuring a mix of comedy sketches, musical numbers, acrobatics, and striptease acts. Performers like Josephine Baker, Gypsy Rose Lee, Sally Rand, and Tempest Storm became household names, celebrated for their charisma, elaborate costumes, and teasing dance routines.

  • Josephine Baker: A trailblazing African-American performer, Baker rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in Paris, where she performed at venues like the Folies Bergère. Her iconic banana skirt dance in La Revue Nègre (1925) combined burlesque’s sensuality with exoticism, captivating audiences with her charisma and athleticism. Baker’s performances challenged racial and gender norms, blending humor, eroticism, and cultural commentary. As a Black woman in a predominantly white industry, she broke barriers, using her platform to advocate for civil rights and resist racial stereotypes, making her a transformative figure in burlesque’s history.
  • Gypsy Rose Lee: Known as the “intellectual stripper,” Lee combined wit, storytelling, and subtle striptease, elevating burlesque to an art form. Her performances, often accompanied by clever banter, challenged stereotypes about female performers.
  • Sally Rand: Famous for her fan dance, debuted at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, Rand used ostrich feathers to create mesmerizing, suggestive routines that skirted censorship laws.
  • The Minsky Brothers: The Minsky family revolutionized burlesque by professionalizing productions, introducing lavish sets, and promoting star performers. Their theaters were cultural hubs until censorship crackdowns in the 1930s.

Burlesque during this period was a cultural phenomenon, offering a space for working-class audiences to enjoy affordable, irreverent entertainment. It also provided women performers a rare platform for fame and financial independence, though often within the constraints of a male-dominated industry. However, the genre faced increasing scrutiny from moral reformers and censorship boards, particularly in New York, where Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia banned burlesque theaters in 1937, citing public decency concerns.

Mid-20th Century: Decline and Transformation

By the 1940s and 1950s, burlesque began to decline due to several factors:

  • Censorship and Regulation: Strict laws and moral campaigns, particularly in the U.S., forced burlesque theaters to close or tone down performances. Striptease, once a playful element, became the dominant focus, leading to perceptions of burlesque as mere adult entertainment.
  • Competition from Other Media: The rise of film, television, and nightclubs drew audiences away from burlesque theaters. Hollywood musicals and variety shows offered similar entertainment in more accessible formats.
  • Cultural Shifts: Post-World War II conservatism and changing gender norms marginalized burlesque, which was seen as outdated or morally questionable.

By the 1960s, traditional burlesque had largely disappeared, with remaining venues focusing heavily on striptease, often in seedy environments. Performers like Blaze Starr continued to draw crowds, but the genre lost its theatrical diversity and satirical edge.

Late 20th Century: Underground and Revival Seeds

In the 1970s and 1980s, burlesque survived in underground scenes, particularly in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Performers like Dixie Evans, who founded the Exotic World Burlesque Museum (now the Burlesque Hall of Fame) in 1991, preserved the art form’s history by collecting memorabilia and hosting reunions for veteran performers. These efforts laid the groundwork for burlesque’s revival.

The 1990s saw the emergence of neo-burlesque, driven by a renewed interest in vintage aesthetics and feminist reclamation of performance art. Performers like Dita Von Teese and troupes like the Velvet Hammer Burlesque in Los Angeles began reviving classic burlesque, emphasizing glamour, creativity, and empowerment over exploitation. Neo-burlesque combined elements of traditional striptease with modern performance art, appealing to diverse audiences.

21st Century: Neo-Burlesque and Global Resurgence

Since the early 2000s, neo-burlesque has flourished globally, with festivals, schools, and troupes emerging in cities from London to Tokyo. Key developments include:

  • Dita Von Teese: A modern icon, Von Teese brought burlesque into mainstream pop culture with her elaborate costumes and performances in venues like the Crazy Horse in Paris.
  • Burlesque Festivals: Events like the New Orleans Burlesque Festival and the London Burlesque Festival showcase global talent, blending classic and avant-garde styles.
  • Feminist and Inclusive Movements: Neo-burlesque emphasizes body positivity, diversity, and performer agency, challenging the male gaze of earlier eras. Performers of all genders, body types, and backgrounds now participate, using burlesque to explore identity and social commentary.
  • Pop Culture Integration: Films like Burlesque (2010) starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, and performances by artists like Beyoncé, have popularized burlesque aesthetics, though often with a commercialized lens.

Modern burlesque schools, such as the New York School of Burlesque, teach techniques like fan dancing, bump-and-grind, and costume design, ensuring the art form’s continuity. Online platforms and social media have also amplified burlesque’s reach, with performers sharing tutorials and performances globally.

Cultural Significance

Burlesque has always been a mirror of its time, reflecting societal attitudes toward gender, sexuality, and entertainment. In its early days, it challenged class hierarchies through satire. During its golden age, it offered women a platform for self-expression in a restrictive era, though often under exploitative conditions. Today, neo-burlesque celebrates empowerment, creativity, and inclusivity, reclaiming the art form as a space for artistic and political expression.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its revival, burlesque faces challenges:

  • Commercialization: Mainstream adaptations can dilute burlesque’s subversive roots, reducing it to a glamorous aesthetic.
  • Accessibility: High production costs for costumes and performances can limit participation, though community-driven troupes mitigate this.
  • Cultural Appropriation: Some performances have been criticized for appropriating cultural elements without context, prompting calls for greater sensitivity.

Conclusion

From its 17th-century literary origins to its 21st-century revival, burlesque has evolved from a satirical genre to a multifaceted art form blending humor, sensuality, and social commentary. Its golden age in the early 20th century defined it as a cultural force, while its modern resurgence has reclaimed it as a platform for empowerment and creativity. Figures like Lydia Thompson, Gypsy Rose Lee, and Dita Von Teese have shaped its legacy, ensuring burlesque remains a dynamic, relevant art form. As it continues to evolve, burlesque’s ability to adapt to cultural shifts while retaining its playful, rebellious spirit guarantees its enduring appeal.

Sources:

  • Burlesque: Legendary Stars of the Stage by Jane Briggeman
  • The Burlesque Handbook by Jo Weldon
  • Burlesque Hall of Fame (burlesquehall.com)
  • Historical articles from Smithsonian Magazine and The Guardian