Lesbian Burlesque Show Debuts in a Church

?A British lesbian burlesque group, who has dubbed themselves as Lesburlesque, will be hosting a fundraiser in March for the Manchester Lesbian Community Project at Platt Chapel. The former church was converted into a community arts center in 2011, but the unusual burlesque act has caused some controversy due to the location of their fundraiser. Residents of Fallowfield, which is in the Greater Manchester area, seem to be divided about the topic, based on numerous blog posts and comments on several of the news articles about the upcoming show.

The members of Leburlesque, who are rather disappointingly not actually all gay, formed their burlesque troupe with the intention of providing something different for the typical burlesque audience. According to group founder Lucy Evans, a former nurse, the audience at most burlesque shows is primarily composed of women. Armed with this knowledge, Evans set out to create a burlesque troupe that would more readily appeal to a female audience. She does of course acknowledge that not all burlesque goers are female, and the group has made it a point to state that they will be happy to perform their show for people of any gender or sexuality.

Leburlesque is the first lesbian themed burlesque troupe in Britain, and it is quite possibly the first group of its kind in the world. The troupe features 30 members, including Evans and a drag king by the stage name of Jack the Lad. Like most burlesque shows, their performances include a mixture of singing, dancing, elaborate costumes and a hint of vaudeville. Jack the Lad does a mime-based performance, and will be presenting it during the troupe's charity gig at the Platt Chapel.