Fringe Review

Fans of the monthly Risqué Revelry show will not get what they are used to from Chatelaine Gaze. This production is a history lesson for the crowd, showing how burlesque became the artform we enjoy today. Each act represents a moment in time and a trend in performance. Beautiful humans in beautiful costumes attempt to guide you down the burlesque timeline.

The show opens with a tuxedoed emcee speaking only Italian, so unfortunately I can’t tell you what he said, but whatever it was, it was beautifully pronounced. The producer and usual host, Knotty Orchid, begins with an act I found slightly confusing. It appeared to be an attempt at a one-woman commedia dell’arte, which would make sense in their history of burlesque’s beginning, but I found it hard to follow. Things got clearer after that as the emcee moved to English and the acts became more and more about the art of the tease.

As the show progressed, notable burlesque names were dropped, though they will probably only be recognizable to those who are already familiar with the scene. Eventually, just like in history, the emcee was replaced by a woman and the performers took back their power, presenting acts about their own strength rather than the oppression of the male gaze. Add this show to your list for a 40-minute crash course of burlesque history and get to know some of the wonderful, beautiful humans you can see every month here in KC with the Risqué Revelry.