A double dose of entertainment lies in the Burlesque Shows. The cabaret scene in the UK brings the taste of some fabulous shows.
Be it the comedies, or the quirky circuses, Burlesques have everything. For decades, the English have loved to celebrate the nights with musical performances. This gave rise to several operas and theatres.
You can find some sizzling performances and dramas on different stages of London. Therefore, spend unforgettable nights by witnessing the best Burlesque Shows London.
If you are a nightlife enthusiast, find more entertainment at these shows.
I will highlight the unique experiences of attending the Burlesque shows. Find the best shows in London and explore the incredible nightlife.
Contents
5 Best Upcoming Burlesque Shows
Babylon Burlesque
The extraordinary performances of the stunning girls will create a spellbinding ambience.
Enjoy the sensational numbers from the award-winning dancers and live music from top-class musicians.
Every minute of this roaring party gives you a flavour of traditional British music. Move your legs as the lovely numbers make you drool.
- Show time and date: 29th February 2024, Thursday
- Place: Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club
- Ticket price: Starts from £15
Glitter and Titter Cabaret
Get a warm welcome at this cabaret, showcasing the most delightful performances. The tickets are affordable so that anyone can join the fun at night.
Moreover, the venue is a cool pub with friendly staff.
You may also have some private moments in the intimate space available.
- Show time and date: 8th March 2024, Friday (Every 2nd Friday of the month)
- Place: The Albany
- Ticket price: from £10 to £15
The Courtesan
This place is one of the coolest bar cum restaurants in the heart of Brixton.
The lively performances will keep you engrossed on the weekends. It is indeed fabulous to shake the legs at this late-night cocktail bar.
Moreover, this place specialises in serving the best dim sums.
- Show time and date: 22nd and 29th February 2024
- Place: The Courtesan, Brixton
- Ticket price: Starts from £10
The Phoenix Arts Club
Have an amazing night of live performances, exciting activities, and energetic moments. In February, you can have a gala Night of Theatrics.
The aerial performances will truly be breathtaking. Furthermore, do not miss the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March.
The evening of diversity and enthusiasm will rock the floors.
- Show time and date: 18th February 2024 (A Night of Theatrics) and 17th March 2024 (St. Patrick’s Day)
- Place: The Phoenix Arts Club
- Ticket price: Between £20 and £30; £55 and £60
House of Burlesque
The Cabaret will organise a fun-filled competition to become the Burlesque Idol. The guests get the opportunity to vote for their favourite contestants.
Hence, you can have a fabulous evening with traditional and modern songs.
Tempest Rose will be leading the central stage to entertain the audience.
- Show time and date: 23rd February 2024
- Place: The Hippodrome Casino (show name: Burlesque Idol 2024)
- Ticket price: Between £16.60 and £30
The World of Burlesque
1.1: Origins and Evolution
The Burlesque Shows have an origin dating back to the 17th century. Moreover, the inspiration for this name comes from the Italian word ‘burlesco’.
This word came to the Italian language from another word ‘burla’, which meant joke.
In the Victorian Era, any place conducting any shows of mockery or laughter attained the name, Burlesque. However, with time, it slowly became a separate form of Dance in London.
In the 1860s, it became a popular form of entertainment in the United States. Female Nudity and Ribald Comedy gradually became a part of these shows.
Burlesque Shows are incredible forms of ballets, dramas and other entertainment mediums. Modern forms of jokes find a place in these performances.
Besides, there are multiple sensual movements and lustrous appearances. Nudity, slapstick humour, exotic dances, etc., are parts of contemporary burlesque shows.
1.2: Artistry and Performance
The artistry of Burlesque performances focuses on dances. Furthermore, you will see beautiful backgrounds and appealing costumes of the dancers.
There are various nude elements also in modern forms. The Burlesques are mainly a combined form of comedy and sexual jokes. The dances include ballet, jazz, and others.
The best Burlesque shows London include various forms and types. They are:-
- Neo-Burlesque
- Boylesque
- Striptease
- Grotesque
- Nerdlesque
The exotic shows of Burlesque incorporate multiple props, photographs, playbills, and many more. The famous performers are
- Lili St. Cyr
- Dita Von Teese
- Tempest Storm
- Blaze Starr
- Candy Barr
- Chesty Morgan
The Best Venues in London
2.1: Iconic Burlesque Theatres
Burlesque intends to make the audience laugh at various comedian steps. Furthermore, the energetic spirit of the dances with caricature makes it a brilliant form of art.
The appealing music enhancing mood, dramatic lighting, vibrant backgrounds and appropriate costumes are the specialities.
You may also call the singers as Cabaret singers or dancers. The iconic theatres offering such shows in London include:-
– The London Cabaret Club
– Bottomless Cabaret Friday
– Shenanigans Cabaret
– Camden Cabaret, etc.
The ambience of the Burlesque Shows is quite different from other shows. Here, you will find a lot of energy and sensual activities.
The primary elements are tap dancing, comedy, singing, gymnastics, and, of course, different dances and acts. They may also contain nudity and sexual content to excite the audience more.
The signature shows can be bottomless festivals, slick choreography, comedy circuses, scrumptious delicacies, and free-flowing drinks. Sometimes, there are competitions for such shows with incredible awards.
2.2: Alternative Performance Spaces
You will mostly find the best Burlesque Shows London jam-packed and well-organised. English audiences appreciate venues like
- Gin House Burlesque
- Phoenix Arts Club
- Soho Theatre
- Cellardoor and the list goes on.
Undoubtedly, you will immerse yourself in a pool of jokes, laughter, and entertainment at the Burlesque shows.
However, the settings of the shows are preferred to be kept private. Many bachelors love to celebrate their bachelorettes or hen parties at such venues.
Emerging trends in the latest Burlesque shows include female nudity and new dance styles.
Moreover, they also offer amazing fashion designs and innovative styles. The performances are a reflection of modern culture and a parody of the contemporary period.
Captivating Performances
3.1: Themes and Storytelling
Various performance themes depend on the specific styles and storytelling objectives of a Burlesque show.
Therefore, you may come across fetish dances and cabaret performances. Sometimes, there are retro themes with the classic looks of the performers.
Modern Burlesques have a touch of the Neo-Burlesque. The traditional forms are still the favourites of many.
The Burlesque Acts involve storytelling. Through these performances, the dancers try to elaborate a plot with a touch of comedy and sexual acts.
They always aim to keep the audience enthralled.
There is no separate veil or invisible fourth wall between the stage performers and the audience. Therefore, in the case of Burlesque shows, the audiences can participate freely.
They can have all the fun while shaking their legs to the sensual activities of the cabaret dancers. Many times, the drunk fans also throw money to appreciate the dancers.
3.2: Costumes and Fashion
The costumes of a burlesque are sexy and revealing to keep the audience in high spirits. Men wear tuxedos or suits. On the other hand, the girls put on garters, high heels, stockings, and corsets.
The comedic routines formed a major part of the classic burlesque performances. Moreover, striptease is one of the most enjoyable acts of these shows.
As per the latest fashion trends, these shows now also include complete nudity as required for the act.
Costume Creations for the Burlesque are genuinely interesting. As I got to know from the dancers, the behind-the-scene stories are also very colourful.
Moreover, the dancers enjoy their work as it does not require a trained dancer to perform on stage. A cabaret dancer must be confident to showcase his or her skills in front of the audience.
Audience Engagement and Inclusivity
4.1: Interactive Performances
Interactive Performances are the specialities of the Burlesque Shows. You may often find the dancers pulling out enthusiasts from the crowd. However, please do not expect striptease in all circumstances.
Unplanned collaborations are quite common when you are watching a cabaret show. Furthermore, there does not remain any wall between the audience and the performances.
Hence, the shows are incomplete without this inclusivity.
Therefore, such energetic and fun-filled shows always present a welcoming atmosphere. The diverse audiences also lose themselves after the sensual performances on the stage.
4.2: Community and Events
The Burlesque community events call for attention and high-voltage performances. Some of them are:-
- Beginner Burlesque Class
- Burlesque Valentines Party
- London: Sober Girl Society Boozeless Burlesques
- Honey’s Student Showcase, etc.
Burlesque Shows now have a connection on social media too. On one hand, such popularity leads to better networking.
However, the bad intentions of many viewers may penalize the lives of the female dancers in many ways. Most performances are uploaded on Instagram handles.
There are positive as well as negative aspects of such viral videos.
Some local artists giving impressive performances are Chastity Belt, LJ Marles, Aaron Marshall, Cabaret Decadanse, and others.
Behind the Curtain- Industry Insights
5.1: Challenges and Triumphs
Burlesque performances may have to face a lot of challenges like hair styling, loud make-up, stripping, heavy investments in costumes, etc.
Moreover, you may not get the desired return for a long period.
Betty Rowland is referred to as the Last Queen of Burlesques. From the tender age of 14, she began performing on stage.
She preferred wearing skirts in most shows. However, after stripping, she continued to wear the G-string and pasties.
Red-Headed Ball of Fire is the title she acquired. Bumps in the Ballet is one of her signature performances.
The resilience of the Bursleque Industry is evident from various aspects.
The dancers suffer many things and still manage to hold a respectable position in the entertainment industry.
Although stripping forms a part of these dances, not all performers shed all their clothes.
FAQs
1. How long do typical Burlesque shows fast?
Typical Burlesque shows generally last for 5 to 7 minutes or till the song lasts.
2. Is there a dress code for attending burlesque shows?
The glamorous shows do not have a particular dress code. However, it is better to avoid casual wear like sneakers, sweatshirts, etc.
3. Are Burlesque shows suitable for all ages?
As Burlesque shows include partial nudity and sexual content, they have a rate of PG-13. Hence, it is suitable for people of 13 years and above.
4. Can I book tickets for Burlesque shows in advance?
Yes, you can book the tickets in advance from online sites.
5. Are photography and videography allowed during performances?
Photography and Videography depend on the respective policies of the venue. So, you have to take the permissions before taking any snap.
Conclusion
Burlesque Shows are incredible stage performances involving ballet dances, jazz, comedies, sexual acts, and many more. If you want full-on entertainment in London, these are the places to relax and relish.
Are you interested in spending some more time amidst the musical ambience? The fabulous numbers and acts will present a spectacular scene along with some interesting stories.
This guide gave some prominent names of the best Burlesque shows in London. Check them out today to be in the party mood.