10 Surprising Facts About Burlesque You Didn't Know

10 burlesque facts that always seem to surprise people. Which ones do you know?..

1. You will usually find more women in the crowd of a burlesque show than men.
   
   
2. Burlesque performances are as likely to feature slapstick or satirical comedy as sexy, seductive dance moves. This is a major difference between burlesque and exotic dancing (or stripping). Read more about the important connection between "sexy" and "funny" in burlesque here. 
   
   
3. The word "burlesque" comes from the Italian word "burlesco" which comes from the Italian word "burla" which means a "joke" or "mockery". The word "burlesque" comes from the word meaning to "parody" or "exaggerate", and the first "burlesque" shows described performances in the Victorian era that were a caricature or a parody. They were more about variety and comedy but featured some bawdy, more naked elements. Over time, the "naked bits" took off and became what "burlesque" was widely known for.  
   
   
4. As varied as burlesque is as a genre, today potential the one defining characteristic is that it will end in nipple tassels- no more and no less. 
   
   
5. Burlesque can be performed by people of all genders, including men, in which case it's often called boylesque or brolesque (depending on how camp it is).
   
   
6. The Moulin Rouge is NOT generally considered "burlesque". Showgirls doing high kicks is more of a "revue" or possibly a cabaret. Similarly, the movie "Burlesque" depicts more of a dance revue or cabaret show, not really a "burlesque" show. But hey, the name "Cabaret" was already taken!
   
   

7. It originated in the 19th century as a form of satirical entertainment that parodied highbrow cultural events, and it has evolved to include a wide range of performance styles and themes, including modern music and costumes. This is often called "neo-burlesque". 
   

8. Burlesque has been popularized in recent years by artists such as Dita von Teese and Immodesty Blaize, but there have been many famous performers like Gypsy Rose Lee and Sally Rand
   

9. Burlesque is often associated with 1920s to 1950's vintage glamour and retro aesthetics—think Gatsby to Pin-Up. However, the true golden age of burlesque has traditionally been considered to be much earlier, around the end of the 19th century. However, these days, with the internet, it is often credited as having its Golden Age from the 1920s to 50's as that is when the big stars we know today performed and were captured on video.
   
   
10. Sydney has some of the richest burlesque and vaudevillian history of the world, and a world-class risque entertainment culture and history. We take it very seriously and do it to a very high level by the international standard, which is surprising because when we think of "burlesque" we think of it as a Continental, or maybe American pin-up type of genre. 
    

If you are now ready to see it for yourself, book tickets here.