BURLESQUE
bur·lesque noun \(ˌ)bər-ˈlesk\
1: a literary or dramatic work
that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation
2: mockery usually by caricature
3: theatrical entertainment of a
broadly humorous often earthy character consisting of short turns, comic skits,
and sometimes striptease acts
Despite what modern movies such as Burlesque and Chicago may portray, this genre of musical theatre was not created
with the purpose of exploiting a women’s body for entertainment. In the 18th
century, this type of drama emerged as a satirical way to combine serious and
comedic elements in order to produce grotesque effects. Before burlesque,
theatre works such as operas and classical plays were strict, uptight, and
serious. By incorporating unconventional and risqué dialogue, movement and
prose, characters created parodies of well-known works.
Lydia Thompson and her
British Blondes
Native Englander, Lydia Thompson, along with her
troupe, is the most well known burlesque performer of the 18th
century. She brought the risqué style of dancing to the Americas in 1868,
instantly becoming one of the most talked about theatre shows during that period.
POP QUIZ!
What do
you know about musical theatre?
The roots of musical
theatre can be traced back to…
A) The settling of the New World
B) The early 1900’s in England
C) The 5th century, during
the time of the ancient Greeks
Which of
the following is not part of the definition of Musical Theater?
A) Acting
B) Dancing
C) Unspoken Dialogue
D) Singing
Which of
the following is NOT a genre of Musical Theatre?
A) Vaudeville
B) Melodrama
C) Ballet
D) Burlesque
Musicals
have their roots in…
A) Ballet
B) Opera
C) Interpretive Dance
The most
popular Broadway musical, closing with 9451 performances, is
A) Les Misérables
B) Chicago
C) The Phantom of the Opera
D) The Lion King
Cited Source
Kenrick, John. "History of Burlesque - Part I." History of Burlesque - Part I. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.
No comments:
Post a Comment