Burlesque

It was only the other day when I attended a Burlesque class in the centre of Manchester, I realised that any hobby which doesn’t conform to societal standards is suddenly wildly appealing to me.

Society: You’re 32? Your hobbies are now M&S, complaining loudly in the garden centre, baby showers and repeatedly asking the physio why your back hurts

Me: *does all of these things. Then RUNS IN THE OTHER DIRECTION*

Having recently done a 3-hour Burlesque workshop with the powerful Gina Stirling, I decided to sign up to an entire course. This was partly because I had enormous fun in the workshop. It was also because if I’m at Burlesque then I’m not at home doom-scrolling or trawling through insurance quotes on comparison sites. What fun!

Husband: our bills have gone up.

Me: hmm. How about I don’t worry my pretty little head about it? Instead, I’ll just run along and learn the art of taking my clothes off.

Husband: *gasps in double-standard horror*

https://videopress.com/v/XqSFs8ou?resizeToParent=1&cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&sbc&sbpc&sblc&useAverageColor=1

One of the most liberating aspects of attending a Burlesque class is the wonderful people I have met: middle-aged women looking to rediscover themselves, people of all pronouns, people into fetish and kinks, sexual abuse survivors reclaiming themselves.

Then there’s me: ‘Hi, I work in finance and my husband grows his own vegetables. I’m here for several reasons. Firstly, I am a strong, independent woman. Secondly, mortgage rates have gone up and I need some skills to impress a Sugar Daddy with.

The best thing I learned in the first class was that Burlesque means Parody (i.e. to Burlesque something is to ‘take the piss out of it’). As a woman who has spent the past seven years writing a blog in which I make myself the butt of the joke, I think I have found my calling. I am looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me (a seedy nightclub, hopefully).

When I was a child, I was often asked what I want to be when I grow up. I was #blessed with many idols. There was my mum, a career-driven director. There was my dad, who broke male stereotype by being a stay-at-home dad in the 90s. Sadly for them, my true idols are … drumroll please … The SPICE GIRLS.

They laughed at themselves, stood up for themselves, they were unapologetically feisty, female and feminine, they harnessed their sexuality, celebrated others and in the same breath called out the issues with ‘male gaze.’ They challenged society’s views and shaped society’s views.

So now, as an adult woman in 2024, I endeavour to continue through life and my hobbies (like Burlesque), with the energy of a Spice Girl.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.