By: David de Young
|
|
|
Read Kristen Hasler's account of Le Cirque Rouge de Gus preview here
|
Le Cirque Rouge de Gus (which translates loosely as Gus's Red Circus) had its preview performance last night at what was once the New French Bar. (327 2nd Avenue North). The troupe was named in honor of Gus Gustafson, an art photographer and customer of the New French who died early this year. The benefit performance was held to raise money to enhance the production. According to Amy Buchanan, who serves as both the show's host and booker of the acts, items needed include a new piano, drapes (partly to keep leering passersby from enjoying the show for free) and even a stage for the performance itself.
Though Le Cirque Rouge de Gus is definitely a burlesque show, the dictionary definition that applies here is #3 from Dictionary.com, that being "A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease." And given common misunderstandings of burlesque as nothing but a more artsy form of adult entertainment, I think it's important to approach modern burlesque with an understanding of its history. Those who don't feel burlesque is a valid art-form, may not be aware of the contributions to modern entertainment it has made since it's origins in the middle of the 19th Century. Getting their comedic start in burlesque include Jackie Gleason, Bert Lahr, W.C. Fields, Red Skelton, Phil Silvers, and Bob Hope.
According to John Kenrick in his History of the Musical, "Most people think that "burlesque" means female strippers walking a runway to a bump and grind beat. But that only fits the form in its declining years." Though Kenrick does concede that the primary attraction of burlesque was always sex, what Le Cirque Rouge de Gus has resurrected for their show—which opens later this month at the old New French Bar space—draws from burlesque in its prime, when it was a delightful (if not bawdy) form of musical and comedic entertainment.
The music is well-chosen and partly live. (Drums and a real piano augment the CD selections played through the house sound system.) The show has a good balance of music, comedy, and striptease, the latter for the most part with emphasis on the tease rather than the strip. I know many readers will find it suspect that a male audience member such as myself would find the musical numbers and the costuming among the shows highlights, but while the show does provide titillation, the professionalism and comedic quality of the show, not to mention the feeling that you've been transported back to 1930's America hushes the voyeur in you rather quickly. (Of course I took my camera and was one of many audience members, both male and female, shooting photographs, with the avocation of covering live performances of all sorts, I always have it strapped to my side waiting for a revealing or expository shot. No pun intended.)
Highlights of the show included a song by a vocalist dressed 1920's speakeasy style, and a loungy and raunchy performance by Kirsten Frantzich as 20th Century chanteuse Marlene Dietrich. Fun were the a skit by "the balloon girl," (a definite crowd favorite) who emerged with inflated balloons covering her skivvies looking like one of the Fruit of the Loom's underwear mascots (see photo), and whose striptease was done by stickpins with the help of audience participation.
Though possibly not entertainment suitable for the whole family, anyone from 21 to 108 is likely to find this event is thoroughly entertaining, and to borrow a tired reviewer's cliche, a "fun and sexy romp." I had a stiff neck by the end of the show from craning it around the still-unfinished pillars which grace the space, but the problem with the sightline should be improved by showtime if the preview/benefit raises enough money to build a stage. If you wish to contribute to Le Cirque Rouge de Gus, please mail checks to c/o Gretchen Williams, Director - Sound Unseen, 280 2nd Ave. N., Suite 101, MPLS 55401.
The production opens in late August, will run Wednesday through Saturday nights and charge of cover of $10.
-----------------------
Just for fun, here are some examples of "burlesque-speak" developed around the genre from H. M. Alexander's Strip Tease (Knight Publishers, NY, 1938, pp. 120-123)
Jerk -audience member
Yock - a belly laugh
Skull - make a funny face
Talking woman - delivers lines in comedy skits
Cover - perform someone's scenes for them
The asbestos is down - the audience is ignoring the jokes
From hunger - a lousy performer
Mountaineer - a new comic, fresh from the Catskill resort circuit
Boston version - a cleaned-up routine
Blisters - a stripper's breasts
Cheeks - a stripper's backside
Gadget - a G-string
Trailer - the strut taken before a strip
Quiver - shake the bust
Shimmy - Shake the posterior
Bump - swing the hips forward
Grind - full circle swing of the pelvis
Milk it - get an audience to demand encores
Brush your teeth! - comedian's response to a Bronx cheer
Location Info:
Le Cirque Rouge de Gus
Artist Info: Le Cirque Rouge de Gus
Share this story:
Article comments powered by Disqus
