Burlesque yesterday, burlesque today

According to the dictionary of foreign words, burlesque is a literary work that is light in character, especially for the stage, in which the grotesque is shown, the comedy of situations, in which the ridicule of human vices takes the form of satire. It is derived from the Italian word "burlesco", which freely translated means: funny, grotesque. All theatrical forms of a parodic nature, which are performed in the form of specific opera or operetta works, are also considered burlesque.

Already at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, eager for artistic and erotic sensations, guests of European salon elites could admire performances that ridiculed everything and everyone in the reality of the time. Then burlesque, as a kind of mix of opera and theater, began to change dynamically. At the beginning of the last century, clubs opened en masse in the United States, where burlesque could be seen in a dimension already very close to that of today. The female body, as a taboo subject, could never before play such a role. A role that was artistic, seductive, beautiful and enticing. Only the second decade of the 20th century gave women freedom and the right to push the boundaries of burlesque performances. However, the good fortune of the genre did not last long. Due to the Great Depression and Prohibition in the States, the morale of the population began to struggle, and in 1937 almost all clubs showing burlesque in its feminine, natural and most popular form were closed. This theatrical and dance form did not return to the stage until the middle of the 20th century, only to undergo a real revolution until today.

After all, it is now seen as a sensual retro dance with a pin up vibe, which mixes elements of oriental dance, modern jazz or, finally, acting and pantomime. Burlesque is a hot dance, a dance of seduction that arouses strong feelings and emotions. It perfectly combines the charm of dancing in a small intimate club with the glitz, glamour and luxury of the biggest theatrical ventures, loud musicals and showgirls' revues from Western clubs.

Nowadays, burlesque is a beautiful female body and a multitude of various props, which will include very high-heeled shoes, wooden chairs, hats, tight corsets, shining gloves, canes, feather scarves, fans and much more. In professional burlesque courses, this combination results in beautiful, sophisticated performances in which women are sensual, aware of their bodies, a bit erotic, seductive, but certainly not vulgar. Burlesque allows you to unleash true femininity, natural beauty, sensitivity and at the same time the hot temperament of the fair sex. It shows how great fun flirting and seduction can be. After all, in the hall, what matters more than technique is expression, facial expressions, character, personality and temperament. Burlesque is ideal for ladies who treat training with a pinch of salt and want to awaken their sex-appeal and undeclared coquetry.

Sensual, seductive and sexy. Burlesque dancers have everything that every woman dreams of, and even more. And it's not about shapely legs, gorgeous breasts and a great bottom, but about awareness of one's body and full acceptance of it. This is where the essence of burlesque lies.

Today it is indeed a very open field of dance, in which one can certainly experiment. Paradoxically, after all, its origins come from restrictions, taboos and shame. A contemporary burlesque performance is usually an exciting cabaret show, filled to the brim with humor and seductive movements and gestures. Burlesque is an art form, a dance, but it is also a great way to train. This is because burlesque develops correct posture, stretches and strengthens the muscles of the legs, bottom and arms, and improves circulation. It's an ideal way to combine exercise classes with acting and overcoming one's complexes, dealing with the problems and worries of everyday life. Thanks to its growing popularity, it is becoming more and more accessible and will hopefully grow to become a separate branch of the arts like ballroom dancing or, quite recently, contemporary dance once was.