Burlesque And The Bible: Sinful Or Sensual?

Burlesque is a form of performance art that has evolved over the centuries. From its literary origins in the 16th century, burlesque has taken on various forms, including literary, dramatic, and musical works that aim to caricature serious subjects through ridicule and mockery. With roots in the Italian word burla, meaning joke or mockery, burlesque has blended with other art forms such as cabaret, opera, and baroque dance. A notable example is Company XIV's Seven Sins, which reimagines the biblical story of Adam and Eve through dance, opera, and circus routines. While burlesque has faced criticism and experienced a decline in the past, it has also witnessed a resurgence, with Neo-Burlesque emerging in recent decades to blend classic burlesque with modern elements.

Burlesque in the Bible: Adam and Eve's encounter with the snake

Burlesque, a form of performance art that often involves parodying classical stories and myths, has been used to retell the biblical story of Adam and Eve's encounter with the serpent. This iconic narrative, found in the Book of Genesis, has been creatively reinterpreted through burlesque, infusing elements of dance, music, and theatrics to breathe life and lust into the creation story.

The Biblical Narrative of Adam and Eve

According to the creation myth in the Bible, Adam and Eve were the first man and woman, central figures in the belief that all of humanity is descended from them as a single pair of original ancestors. The story is recorded in two distinct narratives in the Book of Genesis. In the first, God creates humankind in God's image and instructs them to be fruitful and multiply. In the second narrative, God forms Adam from dust and places him in the Garden of Eden, where he is free to eat from all trees except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve is then created from one of Adam's ribs to be his companion, and they live in innocence, unashamed of their nakedness.

Enter the Serpent

The serpent enters the scene, convincing Eve to eat fruit from the forbidden tree, an act that gives her and Adam not only additional knowledge but also the ability to conceive negative and destructive concepts like shame and evil. This pivotal moment marks their disobedience to God and their descent into sin. As a result, God curses the serpent and the ground, and banishes the couple from the Garden of Eden.

Burlesque Reimagining

Burlesque, with its roots in parodying classical tales, offers a unique lens to explore the biblical narrative. "Seven Sins," a burlesque show by Company XIV, does precisely that. The show follows Adam and Eve as they leave the Garden and encounter the Seven Deadly Sins, portrayed by a troupe of scantily-clad dancers, aerialists, and opera singers. Each sin tempts the couple through elaborate routines that fuse circus, ballet, modern dance, and opera. Even moments with less overtly sexy sins, like Sloth and Gluttony, are infused with sensual touches, creating a unique and immersive experience for the audience.

Creative Liberties and Artistic Expression

The burlesque interpretation of Adam and Eve's story allows for creative liberties and artistic expression beyond a traditional reading of the Bible. By blending dance, music, and theatrics, "Seven Sins" offers a fresh and sensual take on the classic tale, exploring the complexities of temptation and the consequences of their fateful choice. This unique fusion of burlesque and the Bible adds a layer of intrigue and invites audiences to engage with the story in a new and captivating way.

In conclusion, the biblical tale of Adam and Eve's encounter with the serpent has been artfully reimagined through burlesque, infusing the creation story with life, lust, and a unique brand of entertainment. By blending classical storytelling with modern performance art, "Seven Sins" offers a memorable and sensual interpretation of one of the Bible's most iconic narratives.

Burlesque as a parody of serious works

Burlesque is a form of parody, a satirical imitation of another work of art, a societal norm, or a famous person. It is a theatrical performance genre that originated from early forms of European theatre, known for its use of satire, exaggeration, and parody.

As a form of parody, burlesque mocks or imitates serious works, treating serious subjects in a lighthearted or frivolous manner. It relies on the juxtaposition of the subject and its treatment, creating an extravagant incongruity. For example, a burlesque act might parody the exaggerated femininity seen in classic Hollywood films, using it as a commentary on modern gender roles.

Burlesque performances often involve a blend of comedy and sensuality, presented in a theatrical format with elements such as timing, dialogue, physical comedy, costumes, and props.

One example of burlesque as a parody can be seen in the 2010 film "Burlesque," starring Christina Aguilera and Cher. The film is a musical drama that explores the world of a Los Angeles burlesque club, featuring extravagant musical numbers and elaborate costumes. The film parodies the classic "rags-to-riches" and "small-town girl in a big city" tropes commonly found in musical dramas, exaggerating these elements to critique the formulaic nature of such narratives.

Another example is the reality TV competition "RuPaul's Drag Race," where drag queens perform burlesque while parodying gender norms and celebrity culture. The contestants exaggerate feminine traits and mock the extravagance of famous personalities, using humour and satire to challenge rigid gender norms and superficial celebrity culture.

Burlesque has its roots in early European theatre, where it began as a form of comedic performance. Over time, it evolved and made its way to the United States, incorporating elements of striptease and sensual performances. Today, burlesque continues to be a significant part of modern entertainment, often serving as a form of social commentary and encouraging critical thinking.

Burlesque in the Victorian era

A form of parody, burlesque involves adapting a well-known opera, piece of classical theatre, or ballet into a comic play, usually a musical, and often risqué in style. The theatrical nature of burlesque included comic skits and striptease acts, with an emphasis on visual and performance art. It was not considered scandalous or lowbrow, but rather, it enabled women to create characters and skits that interacted with and responded to popular culture, literary references, and theatre. Burlesque was known for its playful female characters, overt literary re-imaginings, and musical scores.

In England, burlesque was performed in London theatres such as the Gaiety and Royal Strand Theatre from the 1860s to the early 1890s. In America, burlesque took hold in large cities, especially New York, and evolved into a striptease with quick-witted, sexually suggestive dialogue and skimpy costumes for female performers.

The songs in burlesque operas were sourced from a variety of places, with rewritten lyrics. For example, in the burlesque of Verdi's "Il Trovatore", the music included songs like "Kitty of Sligo" and "Nix My Dolly".

Authors who wrote burlesques included J. R. Planché, H. J. Byron, G. R. Sims, F. C. Burnand, W. S. Gilbert, and Fred Leslie. W. S. Gilbert, known for his collaborations with Arthur Sullivan, wrote five opera burlesques early in his career, including "Dr. Dulcamara or the Little Duck and the Great Quack" (1867).

By the 1880s, almost every popular opera had been the subject of a burlesque, and they were especially well-received in London. However, by the early 1890s, musical burlesque went out of fashion in London, as theatres moved towards Edwardian musical comedy.

Burlesque in Hollywood films

The 2010 film Burlesque, starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, is perhaps the most well-known Hollywood film centred on burlesque. The film tells the story of Ali (Aguilera), an aspiring singer who moves to Los Angeles and becomes a dancer at a burlesque lounge. The film received mixed reviews, with critics praising the cast's performance and the soundtrack, but criticising the writing.

Other Hollywood films that feature burlesque include Lady of Burlesque, Mrs. Henderson Presents, and The Night They Raided Minsky's. Lady of Burlesque follows a group of burlesque performers who work to find a killer after one of their members is murdered. Mrs. Henderson Presents stars Judi Dench as a woman who buys an old London theatre and opens it as the Windmill, a performance hall that goes down in history for its all-nude revues. The Night They Raided Minsky's tells the story of a young Amish woman who runs away from home to New York City, where she ends up performing in Burlesque theatre.

Burlesque as a form of striptease

Burlesque is a form of performance art that combines elements of cabaret, opera, and baroque dance. It originated in Victorian England as a racy satire show that commented on social and economic issues of the time. While striptease is often a part of burlesque, it is just one element of a larger performance that may include comedy, song, and dance. Burlesque is known for its bawdy humour and has been described as "the art of the tease".

In a typical burlesque performance, the dancer may never fully undress, with pasties and lingerie being common. The performance may include a variety of creative elements, such as a rubber chicken or another person emerging from the dancer's vagina, or a "tree" slowly dying as they remove their clothing, layer by layer. There is also such a thing as a "reverse strip", where the performer tells a story by putting on clothes.

Burlesque is often seen as a means of empowering women, with many performers stating that it has helped them become more confident and assertive. The performances can be a way for dancers to take control of their bodies and consent, sending a message that "here is my body, I'm proud of it, and you can look if you want, but whether you touch or not is under my control and my consent."

Burlesque troupes are often like sisterhoods, with social events and costume-making nights. The performances are typically more elaborate than simple strip routines, with intricate costumes and storytelling or political statements. Burlesque is also distinguished from stripping by its focus on art and humour rather than solely on sexual titillation.

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