As international burlesque stars, the Folly Mixtures often find themselves being interviewed by magazines, blogs and audience members. Some questions are thoughtful and intelligent posers…and then there’s the other type of question: the stupid kind.
The Folly Mixtures.
Whether it is London Fashion Week, Madame Jojo’s or touring the UK with An Evening of Burlesque, the Folly Mixtures are a burlesque troupe that add a touch of class wherever they go.
The ladies who put the sex into “sextet” are Bettsie Bon Bon, Angie Silva, Ella Boo, Felixy Splits, Liberty Sweet and Ooh La Lou. Their regular Soho revues have drawn a loyal following both amongst the audience and online and, whilst the Folly Mixtures are keen to get the word out and change the world’s perception of what burlesque is, there are a few things that they just get a teensy bit sick of being asked.
So, as a burlesque one-stop FAQ, they have put together a list of questions that they really, really don’t want to get asked again. Hopefully, for the final time, they answer some of them here.
1. Doesn’t your boyfriend mind?
I’m fairly sure he isn’t the one getting onstage and performing. It’s my choice, plus he gets to regularly hang out with six smoking burlesque dancers. He struggles through somehow.
2. Do you use eyelash glue to stick on your nipple tassels?
No. And ouch. We all know they’re stuck on with glittery unicorn magic.
3. Aren’t you embarrassed to be stripping? It’s demeaning to women.
One word: CHOICE.
4. What do your parents say?
They say lots of things. How’s the cat, have you paid rent, your grandma says hi. Why, what do yours say?
5. Is burlesque like the movie with Christina Aguilera?
In a word, no.
6. You say that boys do burlesque? What on earth do they do?
They take their clothes off onstage, often with a cheeky, satirical and witty nod to the current political climate. They create a performance that highlights the ridiculousness of the world around us and puts this perfomative, social commentary into an accessible and amusing context.
Oh wait, no, they’re strippers. Just. Like. Us.
7. How do you guys stay fit and toned?
Have you seen the size of the suitcases we have to lug up and down tube stairs every day?
Burlesque is not classy. You are stripping and reducing yourself to a piece of sexual entertainment. Just because you CHOOSE to demean yourself that does not negate the fact that it is exactly what you’re doing. Demeaning yourself, and all women, and reducing us to sex objects to fill your need for validation. Way to help set women’s equality back!!
Cyn, clearly you know absolutely BUGGER ALL about burlesque. Come back when you know what you’re talking about…
That’s funny. In every burlesque show I see, the dancer is in charge and not demeaned at all.
It’s almost like they have a choice to be in charge. Interesting how that works. If you see it as demeaning, then it’s your limited outlook on sexuality that’s the problem, not the dancer’s choice in how she presents herself.
Way to buy into the patriarchal version of feminism. You, are the one who is demeaning women who choose what to do with their bodies. It’s not your body, you have no say in the matter. When you demand women stop an action because you personally dislike it, makes you the oppressor.
Enjoy your cognitive dissonance.
Showing your body for whatever purpose you choose is not demeaning. For some women it is empowering. By saying that, you are admitting that you agree that a woman’s body is the object of sex. because if you DIDNT see a woman’s body as a sexual object, you wouldn’t have even thought twice about her showing herself off. bodies are just bodies, no matter much of it is showing.
Cyn stop oppressing other women to conform to your perwonal views.
Dear Cyn.
I don’t believe that you know anything about my needs, thankyou very much.
Kind Regards,
Liberty Sweet.
The ladies and gentlemen men I know have more class in one pastie than you could have in your entire life, Cyn. I felt amazing the first time I ever performed and can’t WAIT to do it again! I adore the people I have met over the years in the community because it is MORE than community, it is FAMILY!
What’s with the plethora of blog posts lately about “things you should never say to a _________” and the entitled, indignant bullet points that go along with them? (#3 & #4, above, are perfect examples)
Why not write something more beneficial, such as: “7 questions that, as someone who chooses to do _______________ in public, you should be prepared to have polite, enlightening responses to”? It seems contradictory to answer someones (potentially) earnest question with snarky responses, as done so above, and then try to convince that person that burlesque is “classy”.
[PS – Before any of the grumpy-pants on this site want to comment that I “don’t know what I’m talking about”, as seems to be the standard retort thus far, I’ve been producing shows (theater, music and, yes, burlesque) for over 10 years and have coached dozens of performers on performance on and off stage.]
If guys are stupid enough to give a girl money to dance naked she should be allowed to accept it.
It is her body & if she was naked on a beach no one would say a word.
Question – why are Burlesque dancers generally more heavy & curvy than strippers & pole dancers? Is it a concept thing or is there a difference in attitude?
I can’t believe Cyn. Where does SHE get off!?! I’m a guy and I LOVE BD’s! I love a beautiful woman who flaunts her stuff!! Demeaning?? WYF you talking about? They are like Goddesses, you half-wit! Take your 1890’s values and cram them, Cyn, then try opening up that mean little brain of yours to the idea that maybe some people think and feel differently than you do and have no desire to conform to your uptight standards. And that that goes for all of you “woke” Feminist who want to tell everybody else how to live! In other words, just F off! You may not approve but too damn bad. We all like this, both the dancers and the audience! Maybe once it was demeaning, but things change. Get with it Ms. 1890’s! Or get off our cloud!