Australiana

Burlesque Boys

VICE follows Sid, owner and choreographer of Australian erotic dance group MenXclusive in a behind the scenes look at male erotic dancing. These are men who show up to hens celebrations dressed as cops or airline pilots and put on a burlesque show for the bridesmaids. And although you might assume this scene is all about gym sessions and protein powder, for many of them, it’s a creative fusion of dance and acting. As Sid explains, “People would say I’m a stripper but I’m not a stripper. I’m a performer.” In the latest episode of VICE’s Australiana, we examine the high pressure world of male erotic dancing: the sense of solidarity between performers, the tantrums, and most intriguingly, the lead choreographer's constant struggle for artistic credibility.