In 2010 and 2011 the live art venue Warehouse9 in Copenhagen presented a Festival in a cabaret revue format that has much in common with the long traditions of the cabarets in Germany and France, and with the music hall’s of England at the turn of the 19th century. The New Burlesque festival was an opportunity for the audience to participate and experience shows in a unique universe, complete with
a themed decor, a host and live musical accompaniment. This format enabled the artists to engage with the audience in a playful, humorous, satirical and challenging manner commenting on current mainstream aesthetics, consumerism, politics, gender and social norms etc. We believe that this is what good Burlesque ultimately should do. It must continue to evolve in line with current and contemporary social issues. Burlesque has existed since time immortal and we will find examples of Burlesque in Aristotle’s and Plato’s work in ancient Greece , and also in the renaissance works of Shakespeare, As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing. In these times, all stage performers were male, and female roles were played by men. The idea of the festival was to present burlesque as an art form that has mainly developed outside the established theaters and art venues - but in return has influenced both fine art, theater, literature, pop culture, fashion and film.
