Once a month for the past 6 months or so burlesque has been alive and kicking in Woolloomooloo. On Monday nights, when most theatres are shut, The Old Fitz has been filling a gap by presenting one of the oldest forms of theatre. The venue maybe within cooee of Kings Cross but the entertainment on offer here must not be confused with anything served up a few blocks away.
The origins of burlesque derive from the comic parodies found within music hall and vaudeville. With its demise in Britain and America burlesque with striptease replaced it almost 100 years ago. Unfortunately the artform’s reputation was sullied as it became confused with striphalls, bump and grind houses and later lap dance clubs, while moving from large legitimate theatres to venues in red light districts. However with the revival of the true nature of burlesque some years ago, thanks to the artistry from the likes of Dita Von Teese (amongst others), the tease became the star once again, while the stripping returned to the minimum – as it was during its golden years in the 1920s through to the 40s.
It is this Neo – Burlesque that “mistress of ceremonies” Hannie Raegan hosts. Ms Raegan, along with being an accomplished actress, singer and dancer, is no slouch and performs a couple of brilliant routines during the course of the evening. Her footwork as a dancer has excellent punctuation, the handling of a prop or discarded clothing item timed with precision while the comic intent in her creations are full of gleeful coquetry. She is a modern day Gypsy Rose Lee and it’s no wonder that she was crowned Miss Burlesque Idol Australia in 2016 and is soon to jet off to Canada to perform at various burlesque events in Toronto.
Raegan serves as a burlesque ambassador and as such draws to her some first rate acts. On the bill on this particular evening was a great variety of artists. Ginger Foxx is the epitome of a 1940s vamp – all lingerie and leopard print with one of her turns including the ubiquitous fan dance. Legs 11 11 presented an astonishing piece parodying the plastic bag that was both performance art and tongue in cheek burlesque. Bella Louche is classic old school – tall, elegant, regal and simultaneously beautifully gowned and coiffed. Then with a sudden bat of an eye she is gyrating like the best of them. Kael draws on the allure of the line between the male and the female. Her gamine features resembling Jean Seberg combined with exquisite movement and dance conjures mystery and travesty otherworldliness. Michael Wheatley performed excellent pieces as homages to the 1970s pimp and Peaky Blinders. It is intriguing to see males in burletheque holding their own as dancers in their own right and not just foils to the women or as comic relief.
While there is debate in some quarters that burlesque in the present age is demeaning to women it is important to highlight that at The Old Fitz what is presented is purely very innocent comic tittilation. The press release asks us to “come see the audacious do what they do best – a celebration of the sagacious and the sensual, the bizarre and the beautiful….here to bring you everything in classical tease from the golden age of burlesque” Indeed this is legitimate theatre performed by well disciplined actors.
This is a highly recommended campily fun evening so watch out for their next show on August 20.
Mark G Nagle – Theatre Now
