THE LAST BURLESQUE

Darcy spent her childhood roaming the backstage of Val and Vera’s Valley of Burlesque, Sideshow, and Assorted Mischief while her parents performed to the delight of sold-out houses. But after Val’s death, and an inevitable estrangement from Vera, she’s spent her adulthood staying as far away as possible. When she discovers the Valley is on the verge of bankruptcy, Darcy is drawn back to the place she used to...
Darcy spent her childhood roaming the backstage of Val and Vera’s Valley of Burlesque, Sideshow, and Assorted Mischief while her parents performed to the delight of sold-out houses. But after Val’s death, and an inevitable estrangement from Vera, she’s spent her adulthood staying as far away as possible. When she discovers the Valley is on the verge of bankruptcy, Darcy is drawn back to the place she used to call home. There she finds old friends with problems of their own, a new lover who insists on pushing Darcy’s boundaries, and a mother struggling not to let her down. But will she find what she’s really looking for? This play offers the opportunity for producers to blend theatre, sideshow, magic, and burlesque into a sexy, dangerous drama.

The script encourages the use of trans and gender-fluid actors.
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THE LAST BURLESQUE

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    28 Jan. 2021
    A brilliant lesson in burlesque, in putting on the show and more importantly the way it connects to the deepest level. Well done!

Character Information

  • Darcy
    late 20s,
    Female or Non-binary
    college lecturer; magic aficionado; daughter to Vera; hates making a scene
    “If there’s a performance gene, I did not inherit it.”
  • Vera
    50ish,
    Female
    burlesque performer and business owner; you’d never believe she’s old enough to be DARCY’s Mom
    “Don’t be ashamed. No shame allowed here.”
  • May
    late 20s,
    Female or Non-binary
    suspension burlesque artist; of an age with DARCY
    “I hate to be a tease...That’s a lie. I love to be a tease.”
  • King
    50s,
    African American
    ,
    Male
    magician and master of ceremonies; of an age with Vera
    “Better known as King Cardoza, stage magician and master of ceremonies both public and private, carnivalesque and merely carnal.”
  • Wendy
    30s,
    Female
    contortionist, sword swallower, and escape artist; big sister age to Darcy
    “Making bondage seem ever-so-much fun.”
  • Simon
    30s,
    Male
    human blockhead; swallower of glass and fire; big brother age for Darcy; wears his enthusiasm on his sleeve
    “You really think there’s a market for lessons on how to shove three-inch nails up your nostrils?”
  • Charlotte
    20-40,
    Female
    burlesque performer; can teach you to twirl your tassels like a beast
    “Here’s to all the wonderful things you can do with double-sided tape.”
  • Bobby
    20-40,
    Male
    burlesque performer; can totally explain how to hide your porn on the cloud
    “To having a socially acceptable reason to show my beautiful ass to a
  • Cordy
    any reasonable age,
    Any
    jack/jill of all trades; burlesque kitten in training; surprisingly fabulous dancer
    “Your act, your rules.”

Development History

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Pinky Swear Productions
    ,
    2015