Details

This evening celebrates the showgirl, one of the most resilient erotic icons of modern times, in all her glory. A showgirl's feathers, sequins and nearly nude flesh are evocative symbols of pleasure, leisure and the man-made joys of city life. Over a century since she first exploded into action in the entertainment palaces of fin-de-siècle Europe and America, she continues to generate a special frisson as a prime embodiment of the power and danger of female sexuality. Combining discussion and live performances, Andrea Stuart and a line-up of experts and performers examine the careers of showgirls such as Josephine Baker, Marlene Dietrich, Mae West and others, and demonstrate why the showgirl remains as alluring today as she ever was, spawning the current craze for burlesque and inspiring the careers of any number of modern day showgirls, from Madonna to Kylie.