In the past, if it was explained that the heart of burlesque is the st******se, people would only hear the sound "strip" and revert to knowing glances. Since then the scene has grown, and people are now au fait with the delights of ni**le tassels, Dita Von Teese and st******se. Burlesque doesn't pay heed to flimsy modern concepts of beauty, as portrayed by women's fashion and lads' mags. It appeal
s to the man who is more turned on by a wiggle in a walk than a 'page three stunner'. It has become a cult among the type of women who can admire a beautiful female body without feeling that it threatens her own s*xuality. This is where burlesque comes into its own. We all know women who have great allure but who would never stand up to scrutiny on a traditional dance stage. But put her on a burlesque stage and she lights it up with that elusive quality, that 'je ne sais quoi'. A good burlesque dancer projects her charisma into the audience, appealing to them on numerous levels - humour, sensuality, s*x. The audience must feel she has just given them a nod and a wink, that they are in on her secret. Paradoxically, clothes are the most important element of a st******se. A burlesque dancer puts all her money into her next costume." The most a burlesque dancer is likely to reveal is big pants and pasties. In fact in many burlesque acts there is no removal of clothes whatsoever.
