Words by Bettie Bang Bang | Photography by Mia Maraschino
Have you ever watched a burlesque routine that made you laugh? There are so many performers that create comedic routines that are super funny and so memorable. Since I really love comedic burlesque, I wanted to provide some insight on how YOU can create an act that will leave your audience roaring with laughter as you exit the stage.
I love performing comedic routines! There’s just something about making an audience laugh that brings joy to my soul. In a society where we’re attached to our phones and viewing the world through a screen (don’t worry, I’m a HUGE sucker for that too!), I think it’s something special when you can make someone really feel an emotion.
I’ve watched so many comedic burlesque routines on stage, and without directly talking to any member of the audience, are able to communicate their idea and leave their audience roaring with laughter! My favourite comedian when I was growing up was Lucille Ball, from the hit show ‘I Love Lucy’. She was the kind of awkward that we can all be, but at the same time maintained that adorable personality and 100 watt smile that made her so famous! After watching one of her episodes a few years back, I decided to make a comedic routine of my own, and thus was born my hilarious balloon pop act!
I last performed my Balloon Pop at Heartstoppers in November last year, and I have never had an audience that laughed so hard! In this act, I started on stage covered in balloons that I popped throughout the routine. There’s funny, awkward dance movements, screaming as I pop balloons, my scared facial expressions as members of the audience pop them and some epic tassel twirling to top it off! My favourite part of the night though is always the feedback I get from the audience, and so many people said that they laughed so hard they almost cried!
Another comedic routine that I have created is my Darlene Parton routine - the idea behind this act is that I (Darlene) am Dolly Parton's sister, who stayed on the farm to tend to the animals and keep the business going, while Dolly travelled the world making music. I didn't just want to be bootscootin on stage the entire routine, so I built a sheep that I could ‘shear’ to make those country western vibes come to life. I used the track '9-5' by Dolly Parton, but sped up the tempo so that my line dancing was done to music that was way too fast - which made it ridiculously funny.
If you’re thinking of creating a comedy routine, it can be daunting at first to initially put it together. You want to make people laugh and leave the show remembering your routine and how it made them feel. So here’s a couple of tips to help you put it all together:
1. Don’t Take Yourself So Seriously.
Comedic acts are great because unlike every other routine you have in your arsenal, you can make a fool of yourself - in a funny, safe and self loving kind of way. Comedic burlesque was literally born from skits and plays that made a mockery of the dignified back in the 17th Century, so making a fool of ones self to create laughter and bring joy to people has been around for a long time!
2. Think About What Makes You Laugh.
I laugh when someone lets go of their inhibitions and really commits to the comedic aspect of their act. It's funny, wildly entertaining and allows the audience to be involved, because their laughter really does have a positive impact on how the act is performed. For example, in my balloon pop act I am already covered in balloons and looking ridiculous - so it's funny from the start. But then I add on dance moves that make it look like its hard to move in the balloons, I 'WOO' really loudly when I pop a balloon, and I have an 'Im scared to death' expression on my face when I let an audience member pop a balloon. It's all about going BIG with your expressions, and giving the audience the IMPRESSION that you're really feeling the emotion you're trying to convey to them.
3. Practise your facial expressions!
One thing I cannot stress enough is to practise these expressions so much that they no longer feel awkward to you. On stage an 'I'm trying to look awkward but I feel embarrassed to really commit to this' facial expression is not going to cut it. You need to go BIG! Take your everyday 'oh wow, that's surprising' expression to 'I AM THE MOST SURPRISED I HAVE EVER BEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!’ Trust me, it may feel awkward at first, but it has a big impact under those stage lights!
4. Have a solid story behind your comedic act.
Whatever you decide to base your act on, make sure you have a strong foundation. There should be funny moments the entire way through your routine, where you know the audience will laugh - whether it’s drunkenly walking across the stage, pretending to trip over something that’s not there, looking confused or trying to be sexy in an awkward way, the audience should be laughing!