Burlesque facts for kids

Burlesque is a type of performance that makes people laugh. It does this by making fun of serious topics or well-known stories. Think of it like a funny copy or a playful joke about something important. The word "burlesque" comes from the Italian word burlesco, which means "a joke" or "mockery." People have used this word in English since the 1600s.

Later, especially in the United States, "burlesque" also meant a type of variety show. These shows were very popular from the 1860s to the 1940s. They often took place in theatres or clubs.

Burlesque in Books and Plays

The idea of burlesque first appeared in books in the early 1500s. An Italian writer named Francesco Berni wrote funny works called Opere burlesche. For a while, this style of writing was even called poesie bernesca after him.

By the 1600s, burlesque writing was popular in Italy, France, and England. It meant making a silly copy of something serious or grand. It was meant to be funny by making important things seem ridiculous.

The Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes used this style. He made fun of old knight stories in his books, like Exemplary Novels. Even older works by writers like Geoffrey Chaucer and Shakespeare are sometimes called burlesque today.

Burlesque writing was funny because it copied different writing styles. It would mix serious writers' styles with silly descriptions. It was often like a "parody" or a "mock-heroic" story. To get the joke, people needed to know the original story or idea that was being made fun of.

Burlesque in Music

Since the early 1700s, the word "burlesque" has also been used in music. It describes music that mixes serious and funny parts to create a playful effect. In music, "burlesque" often means a bright or lively mood. This mood can sometimes be a funny contrast to a more serious part of the music.

This style of music was popular on German stages from the mid-1800s to the 1920s. It was about being over-the-top and exaggerated, rather than just copying something.

Some musical pieces for orchestras or small groups are called burlesques. Two early examples are the Burlesque de Quixotte by Georg Philipp Telemann and the Sinfonia Burlesca by Leopold Mozart (written in 1760). Another famous piece is Richard Strauss's Burleske for piano and orchestra from 1890.

Victorian Theatre Burlesque

Victorian burlesque was a very popular type of show in London theatres. It was popular from the 1830s to the 1890s. These shows were like musical theatre parodies. They would take a famous opera, play, or ballet and turn it into a funny, broad comedy. These shows usually had music and made fun of the original work's style and music. They would often use parts of the original text or music in a funny way.

Victorian burlesque was similar to traditional English pantomime shows. At first, the songs in burlesques used words written to popular tunes. Later, they mixed music from opera, operetta, and music halls. Some bigger shows even had new music written just for them. This English style of burlesque also became successful in New York in the 1840s.

Certain London theatres became known for their burlesque shows. These included the Gaiety and Royal Strand Theatre from the 1860s to the early 1890s. Before the 1870s, burlesques were often short, lasting less than an hour. They used funny copies of popular songs, opera songs, and other music that the audience would easily know. Famous performers included Nellie Farren, John D'Auban, Edward Terry, and Fred Leslie.

Around 1880, Victorian burlesques started to get longer. They became a full evening's entertainment instead of just one part of a show. By the early 1890s, these burlesques went out of style in London. The theatres then started to focus on a new type of show called Edwardian musical comedy. These new shows were often more family-friendly and less focused on making fun of serious works.

Images for kids

• 

  Florence St. John in Carmen up to Data

• 

  Sheet music from Faust up to Date

See also

In Spanish: Burlesque para niños