Cabaret vs Burlesque: What’s the Difference? [2024]

Cabaret vs Burlesque: Instead of visiting the usual night clubs and new generation plays, if you are interested in exotic dancing, variety shows, and comedy, then you might have also crossed paths with Burlesque and Cabaret — two terms that seem similar, but can differ in more ways than you can imagine. 

Yes, both the terms are different forms of entertainment and art, while they also originate from different histories, and come with different purposes. But, many aren’t aware of this and there are also scandalous rumors and speculations about these terms on the Internet.

So, what is the actual difference between Cabaret and Burlesque? What similarities do they have? And, are they worth watching? If you want to know the answers to these questions, then read our comparison article between Cabaret vs Burlesque below.

Overview

Cabaret

The history of Cabaret starts in the 16th century, and it originated as small entertainment venues and events in France. It is somewhat similar to nightclubs and pubs but is still different from the average idea of the two.

Additionally, in Cabaret, you are given a mixture of entertainment, with good dining or drinking accordingly. 

It first started as a mere venue of entertainment and further became popular among multiple artists globally – turning into a hotspot for underground culture in areas of France and Europe.

Yet, time has passed, and in this modern generation, Cabaret has taken multiple forms, majorly similar to variety shows. It’s mostly filled with monologues, drag shows, original music, stand-up comedy, and more.

Burlesque

Compared to the aforementioned, Burlesque here has an extensive meaning, but it is often mistaken as something similar to or an alternative for Cabaret – which is actually wrong. 

For starters, the term ‘burla’ is an Italian word for mockery or a joke, and it started spreading its literary roots in Europe somewhere in the 1600s. Also, it can’t only be seen in performance art, but also in distant Victorian art forms, including music.

Moreover, the past Burlesque performances, including song and dance events, were family-friendly. But, today, they don’t offer the usual skits, slapstick humor, dancing, and music, where the shows offer a humorous talk on opera, ballet, and popular plays.  

Similarities

When you look closely, although the terms differ, they both have multiple similarities that can be seen easily. For instance, both are different types of performances, and they both have seeds in art and similar industries.

Moreover, both are usually performed at night, and they both involve singers or dancers, or, sometimes a mixture of both. In addition to that, both terms were used in and spread wide across Europe, almost at the same time, originating in the 1600s. 

What’s more? Both terms are related to the entertainment industry and when you visit the venues, you get to sit at proper tables, relax, and you can also order food or drinks – whatever is presented. 

Differences 

When we dive back into the history of the two, it is quite clear that the terms are totally different, and have multiple differences that can clearly tell them apart.

For starters, you could visit Burlesque shows in theaters, music halls, and many other venues, which usually had separate stages for performances – which you don’t see in a Cabaret performance. 

The second difference can make things clearer for you — as already mentioned, Burlesque shows are typically seen with characters on stage, while you can witness Cabaret performances in a nightclub, where there’s no stage for the performance — just a center or corner area where it can grab the attention.

Are They Worth Watching?

Indeed, according to what we have seen in reality, as well as in the discussions on the Internet, both Cabaret and Burlesque are worth watching. 

When you wish to spend quality time, enjoying cocktails with your friends or close ones, and laugh at comments and comedy events, then a Cabaret performance will do the job. 

On the contrary, if you are more interested in trying exotic dancing, and you are also the one to admire its light yet clear, erotic hints, then Burlesque is here to entertain you. 

Overall, while both performances have enough audience fans, they are often mistaken as something totally illegal, wrong, and adult, which is not exactly the case (although the performances are not exactly suitable for kids either).

In the end, we have presented the introduction for both Cabaret and Burlesque in the above comparison article, starting from their origin and history all the way to what you can expect in their performances today.

Ahead of that, we clearly stated the main differences and similarities you can clearly catch in their performances, and if they will be worth your time and money.

With this, we have successfully presented the comparison between Cabaret vs Burlesque, and hope the article was helpful to you. 

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