Top 7 Burlesque Icons (That Don’t Do Burlesque!)
Written by Lauren Bok
Lauren image credit by Nick Robertson
Burlesque comes in many forms, with many different styles and influences that create the big, sweaty, sexy mess of performance that gets thrown around on stages all over the world.
I myself, a proponent of said big sweaty performances, have in my career looked to the greats to inspire me. Sometimes this inspiration is pure, unadulterated joy and excitement. Sometimes it’s just pure envy and spite. Both work to get you off your behind and make something fantastic. There are the household names of burlesque: Dita Von Teese, Mae West, Tempest Storm to name exactly three of them, but that’s not the end of the laundry list.
Below are a few of my personal burlesque inspirations living in the mansions of my mind; twirling, taunting and teasing me into a frenzy of inspiration. Let them guide you as they do me.
Image credit: Warner Bros. Animation
#1: Bugs Bunny
What’s up doc? We love a burlesque icon with a nifty catchphrase. Bugs Bunny knows his body. His awareness for what he can do to an audience is unparalleled.
Who can forget his turn in What’s Opera Doc as Brunhilda? His gaze, his hair, his beguiling tempress persona that turns Elmar Fudd into a tippy-toeing idiot.
I can only dream of such seduction.
Image credit: Los Angeles Zoo
#2: Meerkats
Tigers, lions, panthers, oh my! Yes, the animal kingdom is filled with cool, sexy animals that have been translated into burlesque.
But hear me out…meerkats.
Their little hands look like they have gloves and their little faces look like they have eyeliner on. They absolutely nail any group choreography. That’s a burlesque, baby!!
Image credit: Carlyn Beccia
#3: Hansel and Gretel
Okay, yes, they are children, but who can name a more iconic duo in the art of the tease?
Leaving a trail of abandoned costumes and breadcrumbs - both speak to a clever, well thought out production.
Ending on shoving a witch into an oven? A spectacular finale! Brava!
Image credit: canbedone via Getty Images
#4: The Cambrian Explosion
So an entire millenia-or-so of evolution as a burlesque icon? YES.
The Cambrian Explosion happened about 530 million years ago and was one of the first introductions of diverse body types into the world. Mushrooms tittering around on millions of legs, jellyfish with 6 thoraxes, clams as big as your car…you name it! It was in the Cambrian Explosion and it was full of pride.
Say it with me: all bodies are burlesque bodies!
Image credit: Rob Read/NPL/Alamy
#5: Magpies
Swoopy bois!
They have incredible plumage in classic black and white, love to steal shiny things, and get 10 out of 10 audience engagement. A magpie’s presence is undeniable. Bonus that they also can warble a tune, truly an all rounded cabaret star.
Sing, strip, and swoop: it’s called a triple threat, babe.
Image credit: Twitter @tordotcom
#6: Gandalf
“A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to” is obviously in reference to a call time for a burlesque show.
Stalking around middle earth with a staff (cute prop!) and billowy robes (ooh, a reveal??), Gandalf shares the same sensibilities as burlesque: he loves going on tour, he’s got a thing for shiny stuff, he knows how to do a proper unveiling of a new costume.
Image credit: Canva / Thao Nhu from corelens
#7: Kettles
Turn them on.
Watch them get hot…
I mean…
Alllllright, that about does it for me! Burlesque is truly everywhere though, people. All you have to do is let it in.
And remember: It’s absolutely, definitely not a cult!
About Lauren Bok
Photography credit by Nick Robertson
Lauren Bok is an award winning stand up comedian and burlesque artist with big attitude, big energy and big face.
Nominated for the Golden Gibbo at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2019, she has been described as 'jaw-achingly brilliant' by The Music and 'a joy to watch' by the Herald Sun. She has created 5 solo comedy shows and performed in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Perth FringeWorld and Edinburgh Fringe.
She has hosted and/or performed at Burlesque Idol, The Apprentease, Tassel Thursday, Mx Burlesque State Final Victoria, The Burlesque Showboat, The Lost Cabaret, and Cabaret Impedimedia.
She holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts/Teaching from Melbourne University and has facilitated comedy and burlesque workshops for over a decade, with a methodology in collaborative and directed play within a safe space designed to find the funny in every student.