‘Our version of the Moulin Rouge’: Inside Melbourne’s risqué new burlesque extravaganza 
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05.02.2025

‘Our version of the Moulin Rouge’: Inside Melbourne’s risqué new burlesque extravaganza 

burlesque Melbourne
Whoop Dee Doo - by Lord Media (Liam Davidson)
Words by Staff Writer

Whoop Dee Doo, Melbourne's most ambitious burlesque production, is bringing classic tease and avant-garde performance to VIVA Melbourne every month throughout 2025.

The double-bill spectacular, produced by internationally acclaimed performer Miss Maple Rose, spans two distinct shows that traverse a century of burlesque history. “Burlesque is an artform of parody that has been around for millennia. Sex has always been used as a comical device to equalise audiences,” Rose explains.

“However the classification of it being the art of the strip tease is really only 100 years old or so. What we call classic burlesque is the nostalgic renaissance of the old vintage glamour from burlesque clubs in its heyday, primarily around the mid-20th century. Performers depicted the fantasy of sophistication and allure while allowing the viewers to imagine their naughty side, all while trying to keep it tame enough not to get arrested but wild enough to be exciting.”

Miss Maple Rose’s Whoop Dee Doo

  • February 27 – VIVA Melbourne, North Melbourne
  • March 27 – VIVA Melbourne, North Melbourne
  • Additional 2025 dates to be announced

Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

A century of striptease

The 7pm classic revue gives way to a more experimental late show at 10pm, where neo-burlesque artists push creative boundaries. “Neo burlesque has no rules – artists can do whatever they want and push whatever boundaries they want to in order to shock, inspire, challenge and entertain our audiences,” says Rose. “Different types of performance art get incorporated into striptease including circus, theatre, magic, comedy and even erotic dance styles you would find at the strip club.”

This expansive approach serves multiple purposes. “Whoop Dee Doo Revue aims to offer the full scope of the variety every burlesque artist brings to their artform. It gives us an opportunity to rekindle our love for the legends and the unique opportunity to perform it as they did 80-so years ago – with a live band!” Rose notes. “The average punter is drawn into the old world glamour easily – we see it and are inspired by it day in and day out. But by offering the second show where artists can be more experimental, shocking and unique, these audiences get to experience weird, wonderful and sexy performance art they usually wouldn’t seek out.”

“These audiences get to experience weird, wonderful and sexy performance art”

Rose, who has been voted among the world’s Top 50 Influential Burlesque Artists by 21st Century Burlesque Magazine for four consecutive years, brings 14 years of industry experience to the production. “As a burlesque artist of 14 years, I’ve done it all! I’ve been a hobbyist, an instructor, a teacher, an online influencer, a mentor, a producer and a performer.”

Her teaching career flourished during an unexpected time. “My notoriety as an instructor blasted off during COVID – I got to teach my techniques online and people from all over the world got to join in, including fan dancers from the Moulin Rouge. Maison Burlesque is my home base, and I absolutely love teaching the history of my artform – why we do specific moves, why we wear specific garments, and why we take things off!”

All that jazz

The show’s unique selling point is its live jazz band, a dream collaboration between Rose and co-producer Myra Magdalene. “I was super lucky to find my co-producer Myra Magdalene while teaching (she was a fan dance student of mine), and we started talking about producing a show. We both screamed when we realised our shared dream was to produce a regular show with a live band component.”

Musical director Lachlan “Lok” Davidson, Magdalene’s father and an established saxophonist, transforms each performer’s tracks into arrangements for the five-piece ensemble. “Each month we collect the tracks the burlesque artists want to use in our early 7pm Burlesque Revue and send them to Lok. He then proceeds to rewrite the tracks into charts for our five piece jazz band – including all of the little nuances performing artists are used to hearing in their tracks to make their personality pop!”

“We both screamed when we realised our shared dream…”

The collaborative process between performers and musicians creates a unique atmosphere. “The artists get one chance to hear how it sounds at a rehearsal prior to arriving at the venue the day of the show. They are always blown away by the unique opportunity this collaboration provides. At rehearsal, they also get to chat to the band to ensure they get all those nuances right for their performance. The dialogue between the burlesque artists and the musicians is amazing to watch at the show – many even incorporate cheeky nods to the band during their performances which makes the show and every cast feel like a family.”

The show’s playful title has its own history. “The choice of the title Whoop Dee Doo was a play on sarcasm, but is also super fun and silly! The show was established in 2018 at the Butterfly Club as a late-night variety night, and engaged in numerous festivals in Melbourne. Whoop Dee Doo: Another Late Night Revue was always supposed to play into the sarcasm of competition of variety shows in Melbourne. The title stuck when we restaged it at VIVA because it’s iconic and eye-catching!”

What can you expect from the late show?

 

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VIVA Melbourne’s vintage cabaret aesthetic provides the perfect backdrop for both classic and contemporary interpretations. “Melbourne has a huge history of theatre restaurants, and many of them are dying off. VIVA and their cabaret productions are bringing back the tradition of going to a beautiful venue to be swept away to another world. Their modern take on the traditional showgirl is something that is just so Melbourne – it’s our version of the Moulin Rouge and Le Crazy Horse Paris.”

Recent late-show performances highlight the diversity of neo-burlesque, including Juniper Fox’s SEXPO-approved whip act and Whisky Fall’s contemporary dance piece Chimera depicting the movements of a half-peacock being. “We recently had Rhys Lightning perform his Hell act which won the title of Best Debut at the most notorious burlesque competition, The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in Vegas, where he plays a lipsyncing Spanish devil. Bendy Ben tantalised our tastebuds with their “pretzle” act – poking fun at their bendy body at our opening event (which also won them the title of Mx Burlesque Victoria). And Mae B. Wilde was a statue that came to life, whipping around a large silk sheet under the light of the moon.”

“Artists can honestly do whatever they want”

The venue’s technical capabilities enhance the performances. “We’re offering a highly professional space to showcase our art. We usually don’t get to use a full lighting rig, or a jazz band – the venues commonly available to burlesque artists aren’t as high tech. The beauty of using VIVA is they get to use the large LED screen as part of their show (something so unique to this venue) to enhance their act.”

A uniquely Melbourne production

 

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Rose’s vision for the show reflects Melbourne’s evolving burlesque scene. “Melbourne’s burlesque scene is as weird and wonderful as it’s always been. I moved here in 2016 and the styles of burlesque are still so varied. We really showcase individuality here in Melbourne. The artform has levelled up with huge schools teaching burlesque, competitions to encourage artists to upgrade their work, and high-end musical style productions to showcase the art. Whoop Dee Doo is the place where it all comes together. We want to showcase the grungy history of underground art, which is still so burlesque, but we also want to showcase how professional it is.”

Each month’s rotating lineup showcases the full spectrum of burlesque talent. “Australia’s burlesque scene is huge, and so diverse, but sometimes producers fall into the trap of hiring what they think people want to see – glamourous girls in glamourous costumes. Real humans aren’t like that. Burlesque is about being genuine and connecting with the audience. When I cast each line-up, I’m trying to showcase the full scope of what burlesque can be in each and every show. This includes queers artists, people of colour, diverse bodies, diverse talents, diverse styles, costumes, skills – you name it! Each line-up is curated so particularly to ensure it’s a well-rounded show.”

“When I cast each line-up, I’m trying to showcase the full scope of what burlesque can be in each and every show.”

The result is a uniquely supportive environment. “The atmosphere around this show is so loving, and I honestly have to give that kudos to my colleagues. We’ve created a gorgeous space that artists want to work in, and then they come back to enjoy the show from the other side in the audience. We then feel like we’re performing to our family. Even our roving showgirls are family, as they are students from Maison Burlesque who are enjoying learning and sharing this artform. The burlesque community is tight-knit, and I wanted to create a show that allowed punters to witness the magic of this community.”

Tickets via vivamelbourne.com.au/whoop-dee-doo

This article was made in partnership with Whoop Dee Doo.