Va-va-voom! A Brief History of Burlesque Dancing

Are you not sure what burlesque is or where it got started? The history of burlesque dancing is full of fascinating twists and turns. Learn all about it below. 

Roots in Ancient Greece

Like many great things in life, burlesque has its roots in Ancient Greece. In the early days, burlesque was a comedy show starring liberated women. The term burlesque stems from the Italian word "burla." That roughly translated to the modern-day term ridicule. 

Aristophanes is the first-known writer of a comedic yet risky play. The main characters were the wives of soldiers during the Peloponnese War.

While the skit was a huge hit, it wasn't because of the less-than-dressed women. The sexual aspects of burlesque were minimal back in the day. In fact, male actors played the female roles until much later in history.

European Burlesque: The Victorian Age

Things all changed in a good way once the trend hit Europe in the Victorian era. As you may know, the Victorian era wasn't kind for women's rights and liberation. Showing skin wasn't something that was appropriate for a woman to do.

When a group of women took the stage to provide some comedic (and sexual) relief, Europeans loved it!

Burlesque started appearing in legitimate theaters more. That's when the genre caught the attention of Puritans.

Before long, religious leaders banned burlesque-type shows from theaters. That's when it became popular in clubs and diners, where it took off! After all, who doesn't love a show with a great meal?

The American Burlesque Revolution

It didn't take long for the European fad to reach the Americas. During the 1900s, shows were happening in theaters. Much like in Europe, big cities like New York and Boston banned burlesque once it became popular.

It was around this same time that alcohol was getting demonized, too. Within a few decades, burlesque became popular in speakeasies.

The idea faded away a bit, but it made a major comeback in America post-WWII. Pin-up models were taking center stage once again! Almost overnight, burlesque became as American as apple pie or baseball.

By the mid-1960s, the comedic aspect of burlesque had all but vanished. The sexual appeal of shows has now become the main appeal of shows. Don't think that our nation's love of the genre has faded, though. It's still very popular in clubs and diners.

A Brief Look into the History of Burlesque Dancing

While we've covered the basics, there's so much more to learn about the history of burlesque. What was once intended to be comedic relief has now become a beloved past-time. 

Are you interested in seeing some history play out in front of your eyes? Contact LuLu's Lounge now to learn about our next scheduled event once we open our doors again. If it suits your fancy, we also offer private party packages, too!