Burlesque is a type of performance art that uses elements of revues, variety shows, musical theatre and uses parody, music, pantomime, comedy, exotic dance, and strip tease.

The term burlesque is Italian and during the 17th and 18th century, it was synonymous with other types of performance art like pastiche, parody, and mock-heroic. Burlesque was divided into two different types. Low burlesque took a mocking or divisive tone to serious topics. High burlesque was an imitation of low burlesque and used elevated literary elements to mock an inappropriate subject. During the Victorian era in England, burlesque became more of a variety show. It was also called a travesty or extravaganza and the shows took the form of a musical parody of a popular opera or stage play, including Shakespeare’s works. There were elements of pantomime and parodied songs incorporated. In the 1840s, Victorian era burlesque made its way to New York City. While in New York City, it developed into its own type of show known as American burlesque. While American burlesque started out very similar to English burlesque, it began to incorporate more elements and structure from minstrel shows. The burlesque shows began to have four parts; the first part was comic sketches; the second part was acts like acrobats, magicians, and solo singers; and the third act was chorus numbers or sketches about politics or current events. The last part was either a wrestling or boxing match, or an exotic dance. As the 19th century turned into the 20th century, American burlesque began to incorporate more female nudity and exotic dancing. One of the main parts of the show became strip teases with elaborate costumes, but there would still be one or two comic sketches as well. Burlesque became popular in venues, clubs, and cabarets where liquor laws were relaxed. Burlesque eventually began to fade away due to the American prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s and the invention of film and television began to rival stage shows. Burlesque remained a more risqué form of entertainment and was censored until the 1980s and 1990s when there was a revitalization of the art form known as neo-burlesque. People began to create new burlesque shows because they felt nostalgia wanted to return to the glamour of old burlesque.