Book Burlesque Performers

There are many differences between burlesque and stripping, but the main focus is the story told through burlesque. While stripping is a dance that ends in nudity, burlesque acts have a narrative to them with a specific character at their centre. The clothing used in burlesque tends to be more lavish and of a particular era. While outfits for a striptease tend to be themed, they tend to come from one corner of erotica. 

As stripping is supposed to be sexy, burlesque is meant to be seductive. Stripping works to release tension, while burlesque attempts to build it. Stripping is about the body, burlesque is about the imagination. 

Most notably, burlesque is about teasing rather than revealing. Burlesque acts do not actually involve full nudity. 

Burlesque acts don’t contain full nudity, and this is part of their allure. In fact, a very important part of burlesque is the costuming, even when almost completely undressed. Items like nipple-tassels, garters, suspenders and lingerie don’t function as shields, covering up the final mystery of the dancer, but wonderful pieces of clothing in their own rights made to be seen and shown off. 

Most burlesque acts get quite close to nudity without revealing anything explicit - and part of their fun is seeing just how close an act can get. However, this consideration is important when cultural factors are taken into account.

The art of burlesque is hugely popular these days, and there are as many variances on the standard performance as there are performers.

Typically, the act involves a loosely-danced, story-focused performance to a piece of music that involves the seductive removal of the performer’s clothes. Some acts will combine this with pole dancing, some with multiple performers, some with props and all with interesting costumes. A large number of burlesque acts also sing or mime to tracks. The music is designed to add sensuousness to the story and aid in the narrative. 

The short answer is: anything. It can be taken from whatever genre most suits the narrative being performed onstage, and some acts will mash-up modern and traditional styles. Anything from pop music to 1920s music hall tunes, jazz, dubstep, classical and everything in-between has been used for an act somewhere!

Many burlesque acts are able to customise their routines to better complement your event, so it’s always worth checking out what customisation options an act offers. If they can do so, then the musical choices will probably be up to you!

A lot of burlesque dancers will also sing, which can be performed to backing tracks or a live band.

Absolutely. The only limit is the imagination of the act! The simplest example might be a burlesque act’s performance to music: this could be to backing tracks, but if you wanted to include other acts then it’d be great to combine it with a live band.

For cabaret acts that don’t sing, it’s always possible to combine the act with a singer (as well as a band). In most cases, it depends on what the client is after. 

Burlesque is best paired with acts in a similar vein, such as circus acts like aerial artists, and magicians or comperes.  

A defining feature of burlesque is its interactivity. To a greater or lesser extent, all burlesque acts are interactive.

However, most acts like to send this element up as much as possible and become directly involved with the audience. Many acts will make members of the audience help in the striptease or will flirt within the act, give them items of clothing and generally make audience members a literal part of the show.

Far from being uncomfortable, this often breaks the ice between the act and the audience and creates a great deal of humour. Burlesque is light-hearted and should amuse an audience as well as thrill them, and that can’t be done without some interaction!

Some burlesque acts will teach audiences a part of the routine, and there are those are able to offer workshops as well - which is as interactive as it gets!

Aside from costume, burlesque acts usually employ props of various sizes. These can range from a chair on a stage all the way up to giant bird cages or pop-out cakes. 

Some will perform in huge martini glasses and others combine their act with other skills like aerial hoop work, silks and so on. These acts invariably provide all of their own equipment and will transport their props themselves. If extra help is required in setting up, it will be provided by the act. 

Once again, the only limit is your imagination. We’ve seen burlesque acts perform in a Parisian style from the Can Can, 1940s/50s traditional, Las Vegas showgirls, Great Gatsby, Crazy Horse of Paris, cowboy, outer space, Absinthe fairy and much more.

Acts will often offer customisable themes, so if you have a specific event idea in mind, discuss this with our event coordinators and see which acts will be able to fit your themed entertainment needs! 

Some cultures have varying degrees of sensitivity around states of undress, but this shouldn’t deter clients from booking a burlesque act. Theatricality is universal, after all! 

Burlesque acts can offer shows where they remain fully-clothed despite removing garments, or wear underwear that sufficiently covers the body to be acceptable to more conservative cultures. Many acts can go down to a body suit, for example, meaning the act is as it usually would be but no nudity is involved. 

This can be the same for acts that will be performed around children or mixed audiences. If in doubt, an act will defer to a client for advice on what the sensitivity limitations there may be. Burlesque shouldn’t be offensive, but enjoyable and celebratory. 

Yes, it’s called Boylesque. Rather than being a kind of drag act, it is a more seductive form of male striptease. There are broadly two varieties: very masculine, wearing the classical clothing of the burlesque era, and feminine and of the gay scene. 

There are already a number of international boylesque festivals that have an enormous following, and this art form is gaining rapid interest all over the world. This sort of act could easily be booked in conjunction with a traditional burlesque act to provide variety (particularly if the audience is mixed gender) or at events such as a heavily female audience or a gay wedding. 

Aside from the basic difference in gender, boylesque shares the same values as burlesque and can be thought of as broadly the same concept. 

At Scarlett, we’re passionate about providing entertainment solutions that are designed in every way to be perfect for your event. Our team of experts have designed and booked acts for an incredible variety of events worldwide, and can be looked to for authoritative advice on which acts will work best in which situations.

They also have an unparalleled knowledge of the acts on our roster, and will quickly be able to identify which of our brilliant artists can best provide the service you are looking for. When it comes to customised, high-quality burlesque, we have the resources and knowledge to provide precisely what you’re looking for.