Australian Burlesque Festival coming to Melbourne in May

Words by Staff Writer

The nationwide Australian Burlesque Festival is coming to Melbourne for four dates in May as part of their 13th birthday celebrations.

The Australian Burlesque Festival will be touring the country from April 16 to May 20 but are playing the most dates in Melbourne, where it’ll showcase its range of theatrical, glamorous, seductive and avant-garde performances at Max Watt’s, from 12 – 15 May.

Co-founded in 2009 by Dolores Daiquiri, the Burlesque Fest will kick off in Brisbane this month and also play in Adelaide, Sydney, Darwin, Gold Coast and Newcastle.

What you need to know

The Australian Burlesque Festival is coming to Melbourne from 12-15 May
It will stage four different shows across four nights at Max Watt’s
It’s the 13th anniversary of the nationwide touring festival

Check out Melbourne’s latest stage shows and theatrical events here.

While burlesque in its most traditional form simply relates to comedy and parody, by the 1940s burlesque had begun to form its more modern connotations of bawdy humour and striptease, which often separates it from other theatrical artforms today.

The Australian Burlesque Festival aims to celebrate Australia’s burlesque and cabaret talent, which Melbourne is a hotspot for within the broader community. The festival will showcase a mix of glamorous tease, exciting neo-burlesque and exotic seduction, with a side-focus on educational workshops.

ABF2022 features an impressive line-up with touring headliners Maple Rose and Scarlet Tinkabelle along with special guest performers including Dolores Daiquiri, Cello Bordello, Karlee Misi, Moxie Delite, Rielle La’Vish, SHAM and Sheena. Hosting their shows across Australia will be Alex De Porteous, Cassidy La Crème, Dani Weber, Ella Fontaine, Jagaraj, Sellma Soul and Tash York.