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
If you've ever been to a burlesque/sideshow performance you've seen firsthand the wide range of races, ages, and body types on stage. Please cast with that glorious sight in mind. Consider both trans and cis actors for all roles. And while King is the only character with a race specified, all races should be considered for all other roles.
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.”
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
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.”
Can be played by:
Age:
40s, 50s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female
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.”
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
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.”
Can be played by:
Age:
30s, 40s, 50s
Race/Ethnicity:
Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
Gender:
Male, Non-binary
Wendy
30s,
Female
contortionist, sword swallower, and escape artist; big sister age to Darcy
“Making bondage seem ever-so-much fun.”
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s, 40s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female
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?”
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s, 40s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Male
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.”
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female
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
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s, 40s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Male
Cordy
any reasonable age,
Any
jack/jill of all trades; burlesque kitten in training; surprisingly fabulous dancer
“Your act, your rules.”