50s Icons Burlesque @ The Calypso Bar, Brisbane (14/09/2007)

Memories of the glamour and glitz of the goddesses of the Hollywood screen set the scene for the 1950s Icons Burlesque night at the Calypso Bar in Caxton Street on Friday night. Hosted by the lovely Lena Marlena, formerly of Bar Burlesque, the event showcased a troupe of talented young women in a show that was highly entertaining, very amusing and anything but sleazy. Attendees were encouraged to dress up as their favourite 1950s icons and costumes included appearances by Hugh Hefner complete with playboy bunny side kick, lots of red stilletos, an array of gorgeous vintage outfits and even a beehive hair do.

So what exactly is Burlesque? And what does the Burlesque revival really mean for Brisbane? Burlesque is about glamour and style, entertainment and tasteful tease performed by gorgeous girls in the classic pin-up style. It is sensationally sensual without being tawdry or tacky. Although comparisons have been made between burlesque shows and strip clubs, the two are; pardon the pun, simply poles apart.

At a Burlesque show you will not see a repetitive parade of completely naked bored girls, wrapping their legs and hanging upside down while gyrating suspended from a pole while drunken yobbos leer on. What you will see are series of quirky dance and performance routines with a theme and with everything from tap dancing, to roller skating and even the hula. With elaborate costumes, settings and props the sketch routine culminates in a cheeky tease as the girls reveal their layers of old-fashioned undergarments to a highly appreciative audience. Rather than being demeaning to women, most of the performers find the experience to be very empowering and get a real kick out of doing the shows. A large proportion of the audience on Friday night was actually other women, who seemed to be appreciating the entertainment just as much as the men in the crowd did.

Currently undergoing a revival, and made famous by the performances of the legendary Dita Von Teese, Burlesque is more about coyness and cuteness and bringing the fantasy of the poster pin-up girl to life. The basis of burlesque is that more is left to the imagination than is ever revealed. Because, as Dita herself has been often quoted as saying; “A true lady never reveals all”.

The opening act of the night saw the lovely Red epitomizing the 1950s young housewife making herself beautiful for her husband’s return home. Looking so the part, complete with apron, headscarf, ironing board and iron and a washing basket full of clothes, her pastel dress against her pale skin and radiant red hair, she slowly and cheekily reveals her lacy underclothes with a coy smile and a freshly lipsticked pout.

The next act was a double act; slithering on stage in black trench coats, these two raven- haired lovelies played the parts of a Russian vs. an American spy. Removal of their overcoats revealed black corsets and suspenders with the act culminating in a tap dancing routine in traditional cabaret style.

Then it was the lovely hostess Lena in a recreation of the original Hawaiian hula girl. With grass skirt and bikini, barefooted and adorned with flower leis, she danced around interacting with the audience creating a real stir amongst the cheering crowd.

Husband and organizer Chris Bailey, dressed as Fidel Castro on the night, was full of praise and pride for his wife’s talents and is keen to educate the public on the true nature of burlesque. He sees it as a worthy yet undeveloped area of entertainment that he hopes will bring more people into the Caxton Street.

The fourth act of the night recreated the scene of the 1950s high school homecoming queen, who with a dark princess attitude and edgy dance moves transforms from her prom dress and tiara into a black leather jacket and dark sunglasses before sneaking out for the night.
The next girl up was the roller skating waitress like those appearing in the hit TV show Happy days who rolled on stage to the tune of the same name playing along. Complete with tray with milkshake and burger, and skating all the while, the red and yellow uniform was eventually removed revealing a taught little body in a cute red bra and hot pants.

The finale came in the form of another double act, with stunning identical red-headed twins The Gamble Sisters hiding black dance wear, fishnet stocking and cute black and white neck chokers under their black trench coats. The two gorgeous girls brought every living male’s fantasy alive in a very classy and polished dance routine that had the audience mesmerized throughout. The show over, it was time for the sock hop dancing competition with all the lovely ladies joining the audience as Lena judged everyone’s dance moves and picked the winning dancers before handing the stage over to band Men Into Space. With double bass, guitar, vocals and a super cute drummer this band churned out an absolutely ripping set of jive worthy tracks. Caxton Street came alive with the strains of old time rock and roll music while stylish recreations of the era danced and jived the night away