Body positivity meets the bard: This dancer is mashing up Shakespeare and burlesque
Edmonton burlesque artist Ellen Chorley tackles Shakespeare's misogynist themes
Ellen Chorley has always loved ballet. But at a young age she realized her curvy body type would never fit the tiny ballerina mold. After years of struggling, the Edmonton-based playwright and performer took matters into her own hands and founded Send in the Girls Burlesque. The result is sexy, smart storytellers spreading body positivity and feminism through the art form of burlesque.
In this video by Justin Brunelle and David Baron, Chorley tells CBC Arts about her latest burlesque project — challenging the gender norms and female character stereotypes in Shakespeare.
Exposé (A Burlesque Conversation). Featuring Send in the Girls Burlesque. October 1 at Mile Zero Dance, Edmonton. www.milezerodance.com
Watch Exhibitionists Sunday at 4:30pm (5pm NT) on CBC TV.