You’ve heard whispers in green rooms and rumours over champagne.

We lingered in the shadows, too dazzling to remain hidden forever.

And now darlings,​ the Melbourne Festival of Tease has arrived.

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The Melbourne Festival of Tease isn’t just another burlesque festival, it’s a bold new movement. 

The latest jewel in Naarm’s nightlife, a seductive burlesque celebration like no other.​

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Founded by long time collaborators Lauren Thiel (The Real Thiel, Big Clit Energy) and international burlesque powerhouse Bettie Bombshell, TMFOT brings the best of the best together: iconic legends, ones to watch, and world-class talent all under one roof. This weekender unites the brightest stars of the global stage with the rich, velvet heart of Melbourne’s own scene.

We honour the legends who came before us, revel in the brilliance of now, and step boldly into the future of tease.

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What’s on the menu? Think big band headliner shows, a fabulous competition, hands-on workshops, a buzzing community market, and the kind of after-party you’ll be telling stories about for years.

Lauren and Bettie are known for curating artist first, impact driven experiences that balance showgirl sparkle with professional polish. They’ve built their reputations on inclusivity, heart, and an unshakable commitment to creating spaces where

performers thrive and audiences feel like family.

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This is more than sparkle and razzle-dazzle (though yes, you can expect plenty of that), this is opportunity in motion.

Career development, national recognition, inclusive education, and real industry connection.

We uplift queer, body-diverse, sex-positive, and neurodiverse communities, and we’re rewriting the rules where traditional circuits have left artists behind. Whether you’re lighting up the stage, making magic backstage, or screaming from the front row, this is your invitation to something electric, intentional, and fun as hell.

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This isn’t about the masses or the ordinary.

Oh no no darlings, The Melbourne Festival of Tease is your invitation into a world of glamour, joy, and celebration.

Step inside candlelit rooms where every seat feels front row, where champagne flows and rhinestones shimmer as if they’ve chosen to sparkle just for you. Here, every guest is treated like a VIP, because in our world the velvet rope is drawn back for you.

 

This is burlesque as it was always meant to be. Powerful, magnetic, unforgettable.

You wondered who we were.
Now you know.

The Melbourne Festival of Tease.

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