revue. Form of entertainment comprising a series of scenes, without a plot, and sketches, dances, songs, and ballet. Evolved in Fr. in early 19th cent. as purveyor of satire, later becoming more spectacular and including tableaux vivants. In 20th cent. became more sophisticated, with personalities like Mistinguett (1873–1956), Maurice Chevalier (1888–1971), and Josephine Baker (1906–75), whose erotic dancing in a 1925 revue caused a scandal. In Brit., revue did not really take root until early in 20th cent. The producer and impresario C. B. Cochran imported Fr. artists, notably Alice Delysia. His revues, with those of André Charlot, dominated the London stage in the 1920s. Noël Coward and Ivor Novello wrote songs for Charlot and Cochran, and Coward later wrote his own revues (e.g. Tonight at 8.30). Brit. revue stars incl. Gertrude Lawrence, Beatrice Lillie, Jessie Matthews, Jack Buchanan, and Leslie Henson. Berners comp. his ballet Luna Park for Cochran's 1930 revue and Walton his The First Shoot for Cochran's Follow the Sun (1935–6). ‘Intimate’ revues by Herbert and Eleanor Farjeon brought fame to Hermione Baddeley and Hermione Gingold. Later developments of revue were the shows which featured Michael Flanders and Donald Swann (At the Drop of a Hat, etc.) and the wittily satirical Beyond the Fringe (1961). In the USA, revue developed from vaudeville. Its most successful form was in the Follies produced by Florenz Ziegfeld annually from 1907 until the mid-1920s.

re·vue / riˈvyoō/ • n. a light theatrical entertainment consisting of a series of short sketches, songs, and dances, typically dealing satirically with topical issues.

revue Theatrical entertainment purporting to give a review, usually satirical, of current fashions, events and personalities.