At burlesque shows in the 1930s and ’40s, special red lights located backstage were used to alert dancers to the presence of law enforcement agents. If the red light was on, the dancers played it safe, delivering watered-down performances, devoid of the risky thrills most audience members had paid to see. The PG-rated show came to be known as “the Boston version.”   

Weary of the city’s prudish reputation, a troupe of performers came together half a century later to put the beans back in Beantown. The Boston Babydolls are dedicated to helping women escape their prim and proper images and unleash their wild sides on East Coast audiences. The troupe of fan dancers, sword swallowers, jugglers, tassel twirlers and other entertainers of rare talents will take the stage at Exeter’s Ioka Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 29.   

The classic burlesque act will mix live performance and vintage video to produce a captivating spectacle in the heart of downtown Exeter. More than old-school burlesque, the Babydolls spice up their performances with numerous variety acts that bring out the dormant freakish street performer in ordinary women, according to the Web site.    

The 21 and over show, which will offer a full cash bar, begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 day of show. For more information visit www.bostonbabydolls.net or www.iokaentertainment.com.