International burlesque crew set to strip down white, hetero patriarchy in Vancouver

Two or more women walk into the bar depicted onscreen in a movie of your choice. They have names and they have a conversation about something that isn’t related to a man. They have met the three requirements needed to pass the Bechdel test. 

Back in 1985, cartoonist Alison Bechdel introduced this measurement to the world as a way to gauge how fairly women are represented in film. As recently as 2016, one third of the year’s top movies failed to pass. Since its fruition, similar tests have emerged to scrutinize the representation of queer people (the Vito Russo test) and racial diversity (the DuVernay test) on screens. Now, a team of international artists are putting Vancouver to the test with Bechdel Burlesque, an evening of sexy, consensual, social commentary hosted by The Rio on November 30th. 

The Seattle-based show has been running for six years, and has toured in Portland ahead of its Canadian debut. Vancouver producer Diamond Minx will be hosting the Seattle dancers and producers at her apartment when they come to town, and the cast will perform the full show for the first time in front of audiences. Bechdel Burlesque is scripted in a way that will easily fit the pieces of the brand-new puzzle together, according to Minx. She doesn’t seem phased about the unrehearsed debut, or how her home will recover from the glitter and sequins left in the wake of her half dozen house guests. 

The massive slumber party is completely legal because Canada’s immigration policy doesn’t require international performers to get a work permit if they’re here for less than two weeks. 

“It’s fantastic for Canadian producers, but there’s no reciprocal clause in the U.S., which is too bad. Having collaborative theatre and performing arts with different countries seems like it would be beneficial to all,” says Minx.

But she has bigger inequalities to battle through burlesque. As one of the show’s 12 performers—a cast equally Canadian and American—her number is a commentary on how older women are often overlooked as vital sexual beings.

The 51-year-old is used to being noticed, coming from a background of dance and stilt-walking. Yet over the past decade, she’s noticed a phenomenon among her and her peers—she’s getting looked at on the street less and less. Local teacher Amanda Wardrop took Minx’s ideas and created a slam poem that serves as the burlesque number’s soundtrack. 

“My number is a political act, really—to be a 51-year-old woman who takes her clothes off onstage,” says Minx. “There’s an interesting mix of faking a level of comfort in my appearance because I don't look like how I'd love to look, but that's okay and I can still find that love. It's really gratifying when someone walks up to me after a show and says thank you.”

Diamond Minx as Professor McGonagall for Wizards Undress - a Harry Potter Burlesque Parody

Another woman is taking on the role of Wonder Woman, a nod to the fact that the 2017 movie was the first project with a budget over $100-million to be led by a female director. There’s also a number about the end of Wakanda from Black Panther, a movie with representation from many strong people of colour. 

“Bechdel Burlesque talks about representation and the need to allow under served communities to be seen and celebrated,” says Minx. The cast itself represents a diverse cross section of the burlesque community, featuring female and male performers of colour, performers of size and queer performers. The Vancouver producer’s personal favourite is a number by local performer Draco Muff-boi. 

“He’s doing a performance to a Nine Inch Nails song that is based around his transition, a letter to the person he used to be. It's deep and punches you right in the gut. I love burlesque that gets you right in the feels,” says Minx.

While Bechdel Burlesque will be a first for Vancouver, it will be the last of its kind. The organizers have decided the show has fulfilled its purpose, and they’re moving on to other projects. To catch this one-night-only, one-of-a-kind experience, get your tickets now before they sell out.