Once again, it’s time for some vintage-style burlesque sketches as the Dazzle Troupe, under the organisation Creative Island, is getting ready to hit the boards with an evening of musical and theatrical parody.
The aim of the burlesque project is to provide ongoing support for emerging artists to produce their own original work
The show, this time titled Burlesque Blitz, strives to create a tangible platform for various artists to present their work and is known for the diversity of its acts.
Vaudeville and burlesque flourished in Europe and the US in the early 1880s as a type of variety entertainment involving separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill.
Although the more common under-standing of burlesque involves a ‘tease’ from female performers, this is only partially accurate. At its best, burlesque was a rich source of music and comedy that kept the world laughing throughout a very difficult era in history.
Typical acts included musicians, dancers, comedians, magicians, female and male impersonators, circus tricks, illustrated songs, one-act plays, even short films. Vaudeville and burlesque developed from many sources, including the concert saloon, freak shows and dime museums.
Called “the heart of American show business,” vaudeville was one of the most popular types of entertainment for several decades, and eventually died out in the early 1930s with the growing popularity of the moving picture.
Though inspired by traditional vaudeville, Burlesque Blitz is not simply a re-enactment to stifle the cries of nostalgia. The aim of the burlesque project is to provide ongoing support for emerging artists to produce their own original work and also to equip the artists with the necessary skills and experience to be able to hold their own events to present their work. Despite previous shows coming to life with a meagre budget, the talent of the artists has always shone through, receiving an exciting and inspiring response from other aspiring artists wishing to take part.
During the past six years, the troupe has performed eight shows, with the first show held at Chiaroscuro in Strait Street five years ago. Called The Audition, it consisted of eight performers. With every show the number of participants escalated and the last involved 21 performers, with increasing interest from artists aspiring to take part and with cast taking on challenging roles, like gender impersonation, stand up, mime and magic.
This time round, the chosen theme is World War II, set against the appropriately colonial backdrop of he British Legion bar in Melita Street, Valletta. The troupe will present a show for battle-weary (not to mention horny) soldiers, pulling out their customary smattering of bawdy music, eccentric comedy sketches and dance to ensure that they keep their rowdy crowd happy with a show that’s by turns raunchy... and raunchier.
Performers and writers for this edition include Alex Vella Gregory, Alex Spiteri Gingell, Joseph Zammit, Marilu Vella, Vee Stivala, Teodor Reljic, Pete Farrugia, Marie Claire Pellegrini, Katherine Brown, Joe Depasquale, What’s Their Names Theatre, Karly Cole, Matt Bonanno, David Chircop, Miriam Calleja, Tigerbilly Vella, Leona Gold and the Brigitte Gauci Borda dancers
Burlesque Blitz runs on Friday, Saturday and next Sunday at The British Legion, Melita Street, Valletta, at 9pm. The show is supported by the Malta Arts Fund. Tickets are available online.
www.creativeisland.com.mt