Throwback: 19th century Burlesque and Vaudeville originators

by niesha davis

Nowadays, when one thinks of Burlesque and Vaudeville, images of a scantily clad woman covered in feathers and flashy underwear come to mind. But Burlesque, in it’s original incarnation had more to do with off-kilter performances from comedians, singers, and dancers rather then titillating stripteases a la Dita Von Teese. Here are some photos, housed at the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E Lee theater of The Ohio State University, that shows 19th century female Vaudeville and Burlesque performers in their element.







To see the full collection in all of it’s glory, head over to Ohio State University’s Knowledge bank.

Sources: Flavorwire, The Knowledge Bank at Ohio State University.

You may also like

Get the print magazine.

The best of BUST in your inbox!

Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter

About Us

Founded in 1993, BUST is the inclusive feminist lifestyle trailblazer offering a unique mix of humor, female-focused entertainment, uncensored personal stories, and candid reporting that tells the truth about women’s lives.

©2023 Street Media LLC.  All Right Reserved.