Burlesque Mythbusters - Attending a Burlesque Show
Enjoy my next installment in my exceptionally sporadic series of posts on ‘Burlesque Myth Busters’.
Have you ever been to a burlesque show? See them pop up and get a bit curious?
I definitely think there are some misconceptions or ideas about what a show involves and who goes that can be thoroughly debunked. In a totally, unscientific lack of evidence way.
Mythbuster #1 - The shows are only for men
Not to use the horrible trope, “Not All Men”. But no, it’s not all striaght, white dudes going out to gawp and gaze.
The audience can be as mixed as the performers. So yes, some straight men. Maybe some out to look at some pretty people onstage (which to be honest, I’m happy about as I basically like to just be shiny and be looked at!).
Olive Allure at Burlesque Showcase (November 2022)
Peacock Theatre, Salamanca Arts Centre
You will find couples on a date night. Friends and workers on a group trip out. Not all straight. Some will be, some won’t be.
LOTS of students, emerging and aspiring performers checking the talent out. And lots of regulars that just love burlesque.
But I don’t think I’ve ever been at a burlesque show and felt like it wasn’t a place that I couldn’t exist in or that I felt so out of place. I’ve felt that many times in my life - but not at a burlesque show!
Mythbuster #2 - You have to be FASHION and be dressed up.
Well…..
There are lots of people that love going to a burlesque show because they feel that it gives permission to dress up to the nines, or to wear something more outrageous than they might don on a trip to the pub. So there can be some outfits on display.
But equally, I reckon half your punters will be wearing what they might wear out to a pub or restaurant (depending on the venue).
I always say to people planning on attending…. If you feel like it gives you an excuse to wear something you really want to wear (but don’t usually feel comfortable or courageous enough to put on, then do it! Otherwise, just wear anything. You can be 90s and do jeans and ‘nice top’.
Curtain Call, Burlesque Showcase (November 2022)
Peacock Theatre, Salamanca Arts Centre
Mythbuster #3 - It’s a show with gratuitious nudity
Definitely not.
Nudity. Yes, definitely. Gratuitously or overtly sexual and objectifying…. Not that I have witnessed.
What I enjoy about both watching and performing burlesque is that it’s the performers directing themselves - they have created the act you have seen - from costuming to the performance item (also to the promotion quite often!). It is their baby - their decision about how they present themselves. There are so many different styles of performers, differences in the way they present themselves and differences in what makes a striptease in their eyes.
Students at Burlesque After Dark (November 2019)
Moonah Arts Centre
Mythbuster #4 - I will get picked on in the audience.
Okay, if you sit in the front row, this might be a little bit true…..
But generally, if you go in with a positive mindset and don’t heckle the MC or the performers you can sit back, get a drink and just enjoy your life. There are so many different types of people in the audience (and on stage). Generally audience participation is only gently encouraged for those that are interested. So you might get tapped for a best dressed prize or a lucky door item - but I know many people that are fearful of getting on stage and just say ‘not interested’.
If you aren’t someone that’s out to make the night about them and you don’t heckle or confront the host of the show, you can just chill out and enjoy your night.