Vedette (cabaret) facts for kids
A vedette is the main female performer in a type of stage show, like those found in cabarets, revues, vaudeville, music halls, or burlesque. Their main job is to entertain and charm the audience. Vedettes are expected to be great at singing, dancing, and acting on stage. Performers who are extra talented are sometimes called super vedettes or first vedettes. Vedettes often perform with groups of dancers, wear amazing costumes, and might share the stage with magicians, comedians, jugglers, or even trained animals.
In the 1900s, vedette shows were very popular in cabarets, theaters, and nightclubs in countries like Spain, France, Argentina, and Mexico. Cities like Paris and Las Vegas were especially famous for these performers.
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What Does "Vedette" Mean?
The word vedette comes from French. Originally, it meant an artist who was very famous and well-known. Over time, the meaning changed. From the early 1900s, it started to be used for the main female performers in cabaret shows, such as burlesque, vaudeville, music hall, or revue. These performers were most famous and popular in the 1920s, 1940s, and 1970s.
Where Were Vedettes Popular?
Vedettes first became very popular in France at the beginning of the 20th century. After that, they became even more popular in countries where people speak Spanish or Portuguese. At different times, they became a special part of the nightlife in Spain, Argentina, and Mexico.
The word vedette isn't used much in English-speaking countries. For example, in the United States, especially in Las Vegas, similar performers in popular cabaret and burlesque shows are usually called showgirls.
Some famous places known for their vedette shows include:
- Le Lido, the Moulin Rouge, and the Crazy Horse in France.
- The Teatro Maipo and the Teatro El Nacional in Argentina.
- The Teatro de la Ciudad "Esperanza Iris" in Mexico.
Vedettes in Movies and Shows
Vedettes have also appeared as characters in many movies and shows:
- Lola-Lola in the film The Blue Angel (1930)
- Gypsy Rose Lee in the film Gypsy (1962)
- Sally Bowles in the musical Cabaret (1966)
- Miss Piggy in The Muppet Show (1976)
- Jessica Rabbit in the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
- Satine in the film Moulin Rouge! (2001)
- Roxie Hart in the film Chicago (2002)
See also
- Geisha
- Nightclub act
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