Burlesque
Burlesque?… ohhh, that’s stripping isn’t it ? Said my other half, taking a sudden interest. His misconception is commonplace.
Burlesque, the new performance buzzword that is sweeping across clubs, cinema screens and into fashion, is really quite the opposite. It is very much the art of what you don’t show rather than what you do.
Cheshire photographer Gloria Mason, who specialises in burlesque, said a lack of understanding is why many people initially won’t go to a performance.
“There are a lot of people who still won’t go and specifically women because they think it is about male titillation, “ said Gloria, adding that, ironically, most of the audiences are predominately women.
Burlesque is very much about performance, glamour and a celebration of the female form. It is not just a dance routine but a performance explained Gloria, “it’s a mixture of glamour and tease with an element of comedy.”
Shows are very much about the tease and not sleaze. Costumes are often exotic, characterised by their showgirl glamour, corsets, basques, tassels and feather boas.
parody of the female
“It’s very much a comic parody of the female form with a bit of titillation. The important thing is a successful performance shouldn’t take itself too seriously,” said Gloria who became hooked on burlesque when she went to a show in search of photographic models.
Gloria started her career as a nail technician specialising in nail art. She was successful, accumulating a string of accolades including winner of The Nail Olympics at Earls Court, London.
She had always been interested in photography and indulged her passion by taking her own competition photographs. She had wanted to be a photographer but was told by teachers that she would never make it because she suffered from dyscalculia which meant she found it difficult to work things out.
“This really gave me the drive to succeed and prove them all wrong,” said Gloria.
Her chance came when she started to suffer an allergic reaction to nail products so she decided to take up photography as a career.
“I have always liked pretty and glamorous things. I like to see women looking beautiful.” said Gloria, which was the reason she went along to a Halloween burlesque ball in Chester in search of models. She was hooked and the rest is history.
It is not only the showmanship that attracted her but the costumes and themes of the performances.
“A good burlesque act should be theatrical. It’s the way the performer expresses themselves. It’s not just about dancing around, a lot of the best acts tell a story.” She explained.
Burlesgue has been around for decades and has a number of influences such as vaudeville, boudoir and the glamour of the Hollywood movie icons such as Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe and Liza Minnelli to name but a few .
“That’s why it’s so good, it is a mixture of genres, even the gothic fashion of the 80’s, with all the basques and corsets, shows its influence, ” said Gloria.
The fashion is not just restricted to the performers but those who attend the shows. Burlesque audiences throw themselves into the spirit of performances and dress up. Vintage Clothing plays a big part with rockabilly, 50’s wriggle dresses and rock n’ roll fashions. “The men tend to go for the American army uniforms,”, said Gloria,
“The best performers have a theme and coming up with different themes is what makes them individual and stand out, said Gloria who enjoys coming up with ideas for her models.
“I came up with an idea for Sukki as the Lady of the Lake, which she loved, so we spent a chilly afternoon down by the River Dee,” said Gloria.
Props are also an important part of the performance and help add to the individuality of the show.
One renowned international performer, Vicky Butterfly, includes her dancing and rocking on a huge crescent moon. A gymnastic and graceful performance.
“Velma Bon Bon, from Liverpool is one of the most energetic and witty newcomers to hit the scene” explained Gloria. “ Her monkey act sees her arrive on stage dressed as a cute monkey organ-grinder, which she is chained to. She liberates herself by taking an axe to the chain and dances wildly to Footloose before stripping down ending with a cheeky reveal.”
The performers names are very much part of the act with exotic concoctions such as Anna Fur Laxis, VaVroom Tassles and Mstickle to name but a few.
Many have gained international repute such as Dirty Martini. “She’s a larger than life lady who really knows how to work her audience,” said Gloria. Another well known name is Kitten de Ville. “She has been around a few years and still has enough energy and sex appeal to put the young guns to shame,”
said Gloria. Burlesque is very much about female empowerment and having the confidence in your body and your sex appeal but at the same time being able to parody this.
Confidence comes with life experience and for this reason many of the most successful acts are older women explained Gloria.
While in America Gloria went to see performer Satan’s Angel, a women in her 60’s.
“I was not particularly looking forward to it because of her age,” admitted Gloria “but she amazed me. She actually set her nipple tassles on fire. She was one of the best performers and movers I have seen.”
Which is the crux of burlesque. “It’s not just about being glamorous, it’s about being able to stand out and enjoying the experience and your own femininity and having a sense of humour,” concluded Gloria.
