The latest in our series of burlesque history short films tells the story inspired by Phyllis Dixey. Watch the burlesque video starring, Miss Glory Pearl.
Phyllis Dixey Video Burlesque History
At the heart of Burlexe is the herstory of showgirls. It’s the women who began the art form and continue it today. Now we’re spreading the burlesque history love in our short films series. These are snapshots of the burlesque monologues told in our live burlesque shows.
We’ve given you our take on burlesque legend, Gypsy Rose Lee. Not forgetting the notorious showgirl, Lydia Thompson.
Now we’re interpreting the class, entrepreneurship and perseverance of Phyllis Dixey. Her career through vaudeville and burlesque marks the industry to this day.
She began performing live at a young age in pantomime before moving on to join a chorus line. She became popular with the troupes and known as a pin-up of her time.
Phyllis Dixey developed a reputation for artistic performances which allowed for a touch of the risqué. She then launched The Whitehall Follies in 1942 at Whitehall Theatre.
It wasn’t the first nude London show due to the Windmill reviews. It was, however, the first striptease show.
Phyllis Dixey built a reputation as a well-mannered woman, putting an emphasis on tease. She did this through her relatively chaste (by today’s standards) fan dance.
She was also strict with her performers encouraging abstinence from alcohol and good manners. It’s these attributes, however, that were her downfall.
After World War II she lost her audience and tastes changed towards the more salacious and raunchy. After five years, the show closed and her career took a downturn.
The years she was in business were the heyday of burlesque and she goes down in history as one of the most influential. An entertainer, an entrepreneur and a lady.
Burlexe Burlesque Team
Starring in this video is Burlexe bestie, comedy wonder-woman and pole dancer extraordinaire, Miss Glory Pearl. She has also acted and performed in our live burlesque shows.
To achieve our modernised version of Phyllis Dixey, Miss Glory Pearl is wearing a stole from Accessorize.
We’d also like to say a big thank you to the lovely Neil Charlwood for his mad filming and editing skills. Alongside, our wonderful stylist, Holly Symmons, and hair and makeup magic from Sue Michael of Novel Beings.
Stay tuned for future excerpts from our burlesque shows and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Get a whirlwind burlesque history lesson with our answer to: what is burlesque?
