LIKE everything else, burlesque goes in and out of fashion and even though it is hard to pin-point when it bumped itself back into the mainstream, it’s obvious the Perth International Burlesque Festival is at the heart of the dance form.
Performing an intimate show which Mandurah has never seen before, the Perth International Burlesque Festival Roadshow is bringing some of the world’s best dancers for this Friday’s performance in Mandurah.
Berlin burlesque goddess Lada Redstar, American shimmy shaker Coco Lectric, Italian 1920s-style beauty Cleo Vipper and French sweetheart Anne Throphy, will join Western Australian dancers Coco Poppin, Scarlet O-Harlot and Ruby DeLure on stage.
On stage twice throughout the night, DeLure will show two of the many aspects of the genre, trying her hand at both the classic and modern day styles.
“I have a brand new act just for the festival and it’s the first time I’m singing as well,” she said.
“Music is my passion and I love both musical theatre and burlesque so it’s great to be able to do both.”
DeLure said burlesque was all about the art of the tease, with dancers focusing not so much on how many clothes they took off but how they presented themselves on stage.
“For me personally, it’s about expressing who I am and show that I’m happy with me,” she said.
“I’m not afraid to show that.
It's a little bit of fun and it’s all about how you interpret it.
- Ruby DeLure.
“But it’s a little bit of fun and it’s all about how you interpret it.”
But it’s not just one night the Perth International Burlesque Festival Roadshow is bringing the art of tease to Mandurah.
For the first year, the event is bringing the whole burlesque culture.
“This is the first time we’re bringing everything down to Mandurah,” co-producer Melanie Piantoni said.
“Because we were able to get the Friday show, we’re able to use the weekends to bring the retro market down here on Saturday and do special classes on the Sunday.”
Saturday’s retro market at the Billy Dower Centre will have about 25 stalls showcasing every element of the burlesque culture.
From a pin-up-style photo booth to variety stalls, the event will showcase the ‘everything goes’ attitude which the dance genre has grown into over the years.
“Burlesque is a retro style – even with newer acts like Dita Von Tease,” Piantoni said.
“However there is also neo-classical with is a newer style and can even encompass a darker side to burlesque.
“It covers vampires and all sorts of different themes.”
For burlesque-lovers who want to try their hand at the dance style, there’s a full-day workshops at Metro Modelling Academy on July 6.
“The festival gives audiences the opportunity to experience burlesque performance in styles that vary greatly and fantastically across nations, scenes, and personalities, and to support and engage with the local burlesque scene in the process,” she said.
“It also aims to celebrate the local burlesque community, by opening doors for them and allowing them to realise their uniqueness as artists on the international scene.”
For more information on the Perth International Burlesque Festival Roadshow go to perthburlesquefestival.com
