[If you’d like to read it before reading any further please go: Here]
It’s been quite evident in the last couple of years Burlesque is of course a lot more mainstream, it’s been diluted down until any Mary, Jane or Susan can go to take a short course or a one of lesson. To the point where brands such a Virgin are using Burlesque references as part of their advertising and a major motion picture was created staring the legend that is Cher and Christina Aguilera [all be it more of a ‘Cabaret’ movie less strip more singing and dancing chorus line really it’s also my guilty pleasure]
Of course with this turnaround from underground to popular culture craze like any medium be it films, music the list goes on, people within the scene start to create a tried and tested patient model to fit the ‘beautiful’ aesthetic that everyone seems to be obsessed with. In other words skinny ladies, average to large boobs, petite, curvy what the mainstream would call ‘perfect’ the sort of people who go to a burlesque show and expect to see Dita.... in every performance which in London a lot of the time is what you’ll get.
There is nothing wrong with being the ‘ideal’ but I don’t think that is all there should be, I love diversity I want to see classic, comedy, neo and many many genres when I go to a show. Classical burlesque will always be my favourite but after four Dita wannabes in a row I think I’d throw the chiffon scarf in and call it a night.
Dirty Martini and World Famous Bob to name but two are larger than life women with big curves and a big presence on stage to match, they don’t just rest on a bump and grind and the fact they are stunning – they work the audience, the stage and of course there confidence within their own skin. This fact overall inspires me more than anything.
When I got in to burlesque I knew very well there was an ‘ideal’ and they would no doubt get the headline spots but mostly that I was comfortable and confident in my skin and didn’t really care what small minded promoters thought if they want a superficial, same old same e old stereotypical show they can have it I’d rather go to less well known shows with fabulous acts who are of all genders, ethnicities and size!
In all honesty that is all I have to say on the matter.