Women see burlesque as 'empowerment'
May 31, 2009 
Women enjoy watching burlesque shows because they are a celebration of feminine sexual prowess.
That is according to Alex Proud, who ran burlesque shows in Camden, London for three years.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Proud said that many women enjoy burlesque, which often features women in corsets, because they are able to watch dancers with similar figures to their own, which helps boost their own body confidence.
He said: "The performers don't have bodies out of fashion magazines. Women enjoy it because they see it as empowerment. It's about them regaining their own sexuality and enjoying it."
Mr Proud has been stopped from running his burlesque nights by Camden Council until he obtains an adult entertainment licence, something which lap dancing venues have to have.
"It's absurd," he added. "Dancers can go onstage in an outfit but not take their clothes off to get to that outfit."
