goestoshow

If this show were just a show about the history of burlesque, it would be merely ok. This one woman show strives very hard to make the point that burlesque, at its original core, was not just about titillation and entertainment but also satire, commentary, and exposition of hypocrisy. But the same goes the other way in that it can’t just be those things.

For most of this play I felt like it was struggling to walk that line. Despite a good cold opening where Sharon manages to almost make coveralls sexy, most of the play is heavy on information and light on entertainment. But then the ending came out and it was stunning. I won’t say much about it except that it involves glowing balls, stockings, heavy beat trance music, and the lights dimmed down really low. It was a perfect exemplar of some of the best modern burlesque has to offer (and she points out that there are three burlesque troops in Edmonton). It also immediately rectified the balance of the play as a whole.

It might have been better if the balance had been better throughout the show, but maybe then the ending wouldn’t have been so great. One way or another, I don’t think you can go wrong with this play. You will be informed and you will be entertained.

Tags: ***1/2, Prairie Fire Presents, Sharon Nowlan