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The Mx Burlesque Masters competition will return in 2027, with Perth’s art deco landmark The Astor Theatre confirmed as the host venue. The event is scheduled for Saturday 30th January 2027, placing it within the city’s annual Fringe World Festival season.
Applications for the 2027 competition are now open, with a closing date of 3rd August 2026. Interested applicants can find details and submit their entries at mxburlesqueaustralia.com/masters.
The 2027 Mx Burlesque Masters will be produced by A’dora Derriere and Kelly Ann Doll. Tickets are expected to go on sale in early August.
A Competition Reserved For Previous Title Holders
Mx Burlesque Masters operates as a bi-annual tournament exclusively open to previous title holders of the competition. Unlike standard burlesque contests, the Masters format places emphasis on what winners have achieved both on and off the stage in the period since claiming their title.
The competition evaluates how former champions have developed their craft and contributed to the broader burlesque community since their original win. Organisers are looking for entrants who have made a measurable impact through teaching, producing, performing and touring, or through building out the industry’s supporting disciplines such as production, costuming, design and photography.
A mentorship component also forms part of the program, with Masters competitors given the option to share their experience and knowledge with future Mx Burlesque contestants.
Eligibility And Entry Requirements
The competition is open to all previous Mx/Miss Burlesque and Mr Boylesque state winners or first runners-up, as well as Mr Boylesque Australia act first runners-up and any wild card entrants from previous National Grand Finals. Previous first runners-up from Mx/Miss Burlesque and Mr Boylesque Ireland, UK and Scotland competitions are also eligible to apply.
There are restrictions, however. Previous national title holders are not eligible to enter. This applies to Miss/Mx Burlesque Australia, Ireland, Scotland and UK title holders, as well as Mr Boylesque Australia, UK and Ireland title holders. The competition is also closed to any title holders from the 2026 Mx Burlesque Australia season.
Successful applicants are required to arrange and fund their own flights and accommodation. The organisation has indicated it will support fundraising events for finalists through promotion across its channels.
All finalists must hold their own Personal Accident Cover Insurance, with the organisation recommending providers such as AON or Dancesurance. Mx Burlesque Australia events are covered by public liability insurance, but performers remain responsible for their own props and any injuries resulting from their use.
Prizes On Offer
The winner of the 2027 Mx Burlesque Masters will receive the Mx/Mr/Miss Burlesque Masters title along with a $1,250 cash prize, more than $1,000 in sponsored prizes and a crown and sash.
The runner-up will receive a $750 cash prize, sponsored prizes and a crown and sash.
How The Competition Works
The competition is divided into two marked sections, each with its own scoring criteria: the Red Carpet Parade and the Unique Routine.
The Red Carpet Parade serves as the opening section of the show, functioning as a contestant introduction. During this segment, the MC introduces each performer to the audience while they are judged on performance, confidence and the presentation of their character through costume, movement, expression, gaze and gesture.
Outfits for the parade section should represent the contestant’s character and can range from vintage couture and polished tuxedos to avant-garde wearable art. No props or backup dancers are permitted during the parade, though accessories such as feather boas, stoles and parasols are acceptable. The parade outfit must be separate from the contestant’s performance costume.
The Unique Routine section allows contestants to perform any style or genre of burlesque, whether conceptual, skill-based, performance art, narrative storytelling, classic, circus or vaudeville, provided it involves an element of striptease.
Routines must run for a minimum of three minutes and a maximum of five minutes, with individual characterisation required as the central focus of the act. There are no restrictions on costuming, music or styling for this section.
Performers in the routine section are judged on individuality, character and performance, engagement, use of stage, audience connection, styling, costuming, visual presentation, tease, movement and musicality.
Stage Rules And Restrictions
Backup dancers are permitted for the performance section, limited to a maximum of four. Stagehand assistance and audience interaction are also allowed, along with media integration including microphones, audio technology and projection, though technical requirements must be organised and paid for by the performers.
Major props are permitted but must not take more than two minutes to set up or remove. Weighted stages and aerial rigging are allowed, with performers responsible for covering the cost of setup and rigging. Riggers must be industry certified, and all rigging and apparatus must be discussed with producers ahead of application to confirm the venue can support it.
X-Poles may be used in the performance category at the Astor Theatre, though prior approval from the Producer is required before application.
Fire acts are not permitted by the venue. Acts depicting or glamorising harm to self or others, including self-harm, explosive devices and war or terrorism themes, are prohibited. Elements likely to cause abrasions or bleeding, such as glass walks or staples, are not allowed. Props that are realistic-looking weapons, including guns and knives, are also banned, as are elements involving weapons pointed at another person such as whips, knives or lasers directed at other artists or audience volunteers.
Due to time constraints and venue regulations, there is a strict no-mess policy. This covers glitter, confetti, mylar, streamers and liquids. Animals are not permitted at any Mx Burlesque Australia showcase. Pasties and merkins, or equivalent coverage, must be worn at all times by all competitors.
Artists performing sideshow or danger elements must provide current public liability insurance, a current risk assessment and their own first aid-certified safety spotter. The safety spotter counts as one of the four permitted backup dancers.
Judging Uses Olympic Scoring System
All finalists are judged according to the competition criteria, with scores processed through an Olympic scoring system. This method is designed to reduce potential bias by removing the highest and lowest scores from each contestant’s overall total. The judges’ decision is final.
Venue Accessibility
The Astor Theatre has published venue accessibility videos for prospective attendees and competitors. Any questions about venue accessibility can be directed to mxburlesqueaus@gmail.com.
Policies On Conduct And Cultural Appropriation
Mx Burlesque Australia maintains a formal statement on appropriate behaviour, describing its commitment to providing a platform that builds a positive and supportive environment for the Australian burlesque community. The organisation aims to support a diverse space in which performers at all levels can develop the artform and foster professional relationships. All finalists are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.
The organisation upholds what it describes as an inclusive theatrical space that encourages body, race, ethnicity, creed and political diversity.
A strict anti-bullying policy is in place, with bullying defined as “an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm.” The policy covers behaviour in both physical and online spaces. Any competitor found to be negatively influencing or intimidating another competitor or member of the production team faces removal from the current competition year and a ban from entering in subsequent years.
Mx Burlesque Australia also enforces a policy against cultural appropriation in performances, defining it as “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing understanding or respect to this culture.” The organisation acknowledges that cultural appropriation was historically aligned with racist performance traditions and has occurred with frequency throughout the history of burlesque. Performers found to be creating acts that depict topics or perspectives marginalising any culture that is not their own will be barred from entering the competition in subsequent years.
Western Australia Crowns Its 2026 Winners
The Western Australian leg of the 2026 competition has wrapped up, with Lolly Moon taking out the Mx Burlesque WA title. Autumn Daze was named Mx Burlesque Perth and first runner-up, while Mya Tension claimed the second runner-up position.
State Finals Across Australia
Tickets are on sale for Mx Burlesque state finals across the country, with events scheduled in five states and territories over the coming months.
Queensland’s final will take place on Saturday 8th August 2026 at The Princess Theatre, 8 Annerley Rd, Woolloongabba.
South Australia follows on Saturday 22nd August 2026 at Star Theatres, 145 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Hilton.
Victoria’s competition is set for Saturday 12th September 2026 at 3 Blackwood St, North Melbourne.
The A.C.T. final is scheduled for Saturday 19th September 2026 at Louie Louie, located upstairs at Verity Lane in the Sydney Building, 50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra.
New South Wales rounds out the calendar on Saturday 14th November 2026 at Paddo RSL, 220/232 Oxford St, Paddington.
