2018 saw the launch of Miss Burlesque UK with Miss Burlesque Scotland and Mr Boylesque UK being introduced in 2019. The Miss Burlesque competition has been running since 2010 in Australia.
Miss Burlesque is a unique competition, which positions modern burlesque both within its rich historical tapestry and burlesque’s revival as a modern performance based art form. The competition situates itself within the neo-burlesque revival as a theatrical performance-based art form that incorporates elements of striptease as a theatrical cocktail of sexuality and satire.
Our goal is to provide a platform for performers to create their best work. We encourage supportive professional development through constructive criticism from industry leaders and to raise the professional standard within the burlesque industry.
The core values of the burlesque revival are emboldened with empowerment and feminism. Miss Burlesque seeks to uphold an all-inclusive competition and encourages diversity, body positivity and aligns itself with the LGBTQI community.
After the selection process, 6-8 applicants will be invited to compete in the UK & Scotland competitions. The Miss Burlesque Scotland winner will go on to compete as a Finalist for the coveted title of Miss Burlesque UK.
The winner of the Miss Burlesque UK Final will receive the Miss Burlesque UK title and over £300 worth of cash and sponsored prizes, including crown and sash.
MBUK runner-up will receive a £100 cash prize, crown and runner-up sash, plus sponsored prizes.
The winner of Miss Burlesque Scotland competition will receive the Miss Burlesque Scotland title, travel and accomodation expenses to the Miss Burlesque UK Final to compete as a Finalist, plus sponsored prizes, including crown and sash.
Miss Burlesque Scotland runner-up will receive a sash plus sponsored prizes.
Mr Boylesque UK Winner will receive the 2019 Mr Boylesque UK Title, £200 prize money, Crown, Sash and sponsored prizes.
Mr Boylesque UK Runner-up will receive £100 prize money, sash and sponsored prizes.
History of the Miss Burlesque competition
Founded in 2009, Miss Burlesque Australia (MBA) held its first competition held July 2010 in Brisbane’s historic Old Museum. The state finals in 2010 saw some of Australia’s finest performers take to the state, producing a quality of performances on a grand scale.
The grand finals were held at Sydney’s iconic Enmore Theatre and yielded a phenomenal response from the Australian burlesque community. With performers creating big-stage acts, it was clear that MBA was going to be an important platform for Australian performers to take their visions to big stages.
Miss Burlesque Ireland launched it’s first competition in 2014. Running for 3 years, the competition had a break in 2017, and is back with gusto in 2018.
After seven years of operation the competition has grown and evolved. In 2018 Miss Burlesque Australia is celebrating a reinvigoration of the competition under the new executive production of A’dora Derriere. With a restructuring of Australian state producers, rewriting of sections, rules and selection process, the Miss Burlesque competition continues to seek each country’s brightest stars of burlesque. We were thrilled to introduce the Miss Burlesque competition to the UK in 2018, with the intention to have separate competitions in England, Scotland and Wales in the future as well.
The dream is for the Miss Burlesque competition to be a world wide competition held in various countries with the winners competing for a world title. If you would like to be apart of this dream, please contact A’dora Derriere at [email protected]
