Domestic Burlesque, the

The Domestic Burlesque contains over 100 portraits and interviews by Swedish photographer Elsa Quarsell portraying burlesque performers in the full glory of their costumes, at home. Many of these men and women are professionals by day, but at night become directors, actors, comedians, make-up artists, and costume designers. Mermaids, Bond girls, elephant women, Marie Antoinettes, Margaret Thatcher, sailors, elks, and harlequin mimes are all captured here. Quarsell spent cover two years travelling to each performer's home (from Europe to Tokyo and the U.S.), and the kitsch decor, vintage pin-up posters, and b-movie trinkets surrounding them in these portraits only add to the cultivated persona.
ISBN 9780956898302. Gingko Press. pb. 274 pages. 600 ills. 20.3 x 25.4 cm.
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