De Lux Entertainment
August 1st 2007 02:19
The Belladonnas de Lux
Burlesque for the Modern World
An interview with Tulsa baby.
Hailing from the nineteenth century, deriving from the Commedia dell’Arte, and gaining popularity in the 1930’s, Burlesque has certainly been around the block, and she still looks bangin’. Whether it be the legendary Gypsy Rose Lee, or the ever iconic Dita Von Teese, there’s just something about Burlesque that keeps people wanting more. Amid the fading wolf whistles and catcalls, there’s far more to burlesque than tits and ass. I chatted with Tulsa of local Burlesque troupe; The Belladonnas de Lux about their style of Burlesque, and it left me wanting scantily clad comedy, big show numbers, glamour, glitz and…cheesecake, funnily enough.
Consisting of Tulsa, Lulu and Tasia, Tulsa says that ‘a love for old musicals with big production numbers, vaudeville shows, the last tent at the circus, pin-up cheesecake fashion combined with (our) dance backgrounds’ is what brought The Belladonnas de Lux to the wonderful world of burlesque. ‘Whether it was Mae West or Dolly Parton, I grew up admiring sassy broads in feathers and sequins.’
Although the word Burlesque immediately sparks visions of nudity, Burlesque is more than just a strip show. ‘We're more theatrical than straight strip shows and we usually have a comic element or narrative in our routines. There's definitely stripping involved, and we have no problem with the label, but if you come along to see a strip show you're going to get something else. There's Tease! Attitude! Sass! Dancing and prancing! Cheesecake! Fun! Great costumes! All wrapped up in a very entertaining package with a healthy dose of irony!’
Burlesque incorporates so many different styles and genres that it has become a very strange beast indeed, and is a continuously evolving art form. But one thing that has remained constant is the fact that it sports strong, confident, sassy women – and men! ‘It's surprisingly off beat entertainment. People enjoy the theatrics, the glamour, and the "quirky skit" aspect of sexiness with personality as opposed to homogenized nakedness. Not that a good bare butt doesn't have its place. And it has staying power. Women have been doing one form or another of burlesque for 100 plus years. It will change shape again and again and continue to influence all sorts of performance, whether the media spotlight remains on it or not.’
Tulsa loves the diversity of Burlesque and reveals the secret to sizzling onstage is just enjoying yourself. ‘Burlesque has changed a lot over the years, adapting to times and taking on the aesthetics of each era it passes through. That's why it's hard to describe, you can go to two burlesque shows that are worlds apart. Burlesque has it's roots in irony and pastiche, there's a certain sense of tongue in cheek, but can also be something of horror or sheer beauty. The fact that it's hard to define or pin down is its very appeal, different performers do similar things so very differently, and hopefully with the result of great entertainment.’ Ooh la la!
Burlesque for the Modern World
An interview with Tulsa baby.
Hailing from the nineteenth century, deriving from the Commedia dell’Arte, and gaining popularity in the 1930’s, Burlesque has certainly been around the block, and she still looks bangin’. Whether it be the legendary Gypsy Rose Lee, or the ever iconic Dita Von Teese, there’s just something about Burlesque that keeps people wanting more. Amid the fading wolf whistles and catcalls, there’s far more to burlesque than tits and ass. I chatted with Tulsa of local Burlesque troupe; The Belladonnas de Lux about their style of Burlesque, and it left me wanting scantily clad comedy, big show numbers, glamour, glitz and…cheesecake, funnily enough.
Consisting of Tulsa, Lulu and Tasia, Tulsa says that ‘a love for old musicals with big production numbers, vaudeville shows, the last tent at the circus, pin-up cheesecake fashion combined with (our) dance backgrounds’ is what brought The Belladonnas de Lux to the wonderful world of burlesque. ‘Whether it was Mae West or Dolly Parton, I grew up admiring sassy broads in feathers and sequins.’
Although the word Burlesque immediately sparks visions of nudity, Burlesque is more than just a strip show. ‘We're more theatrical than straight strip shows and we usually have a comic element or narrative in our routines. There's definitely stripping involved, and we have no problem with the label, but if you come along to see a strip show you're going to get something else. There's Tease! Attitude! Sass! Dancing and prancing! Cheesecake! Fun! Great costumes! All wrapped up in a very entertaining package with a healthy dose of irony!’
Burlesque incorporates so many different styles and genres that it has become a very strange beast indeed, and is a continuously evolving art form. But one thing that has remained constant is the fact that it sports strong, confident, sassy women – and men! ‘It's surprisingly off beat entertainment. People enjoy the theatrics, the glamour, and the "quirky skit" aspect of sexiness with personality as opposed to homogenized nakedness. Not that a good bare butt doesn't have its place. And it has staying power. Women have been doing one form or another of burlesque for 100 plus years. It will change shape again and again and continue to influence all sorts of performance, whether the media spotlight remains on it or not.’
Tulsa loves the diversity of Burlesque and reveals the secret to sizzling onstage is just enjoying yourself. ‘Burlesque has changed a lot over the years, adapting to times and taking on the aesthetics of each era it passes through. That's why it's hard to describe, you can go to two burlesque shows that are worlds apart. Burlesque has it's roots in irony and pastiche, there's a certain sense of tongue in cheek, but can also be something of horror or sheer beauty. The fact that it's hard to define or pin down is its very appeal, different performers do similar things so very differently, and hopefully with the result of great entertainment.’ Ooh la la!
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