Is Burlesque the way to promote a Burns Supper?

Promoters have chosen an unusual way to publicise an upcoming Burns Supper as scantily-clad Burlesque performers draped themselves over a Leith statue.

Picture: Colin Hattersley

The famous Constitution Street statue of Robert Burns was the spot for the photoshoot, which aims to promote the Big Burns Supper 2015 in Dumfries.

Burlesque performers - including a woman wearing nipple tassels, a topless man in a kilt, and what appears to be a giant shrimp - all gathered for a photoshoot today.

The Dumfries event claims to be Europe’s biggest winter fringe festival and includes a large street carnival on Burns Night itself.

Picture: Colin Hattersley

It draws an audience of tens of thousands from across Scotland, the UK and overseas.

But is it right to use a topless dancer to promote the work of the Bard? Or is it a great way to bring Burns into the 21st century? And what would the man himself think?
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