“Kittie is at the forefront of the international burlesque renaissance”
Editor - The List
Kittie is quite literally a woman with a mission - a Ministry of Burlesque…
On a mission to ‘raise the barre’ (pun intended) for this young and only just emerging industry, the MoB offers free resources and networking for anyone interested or active in burlesque. Kittie’s work within the MoB focuses on the merits of inclusion, education and aspiration across the growing burlesque scenes (which feed in to the emerging industry). Best described as a mediatrix she acts as a producer, talent agent, community leader, media liaison and didactic ‘burlesque historian’.
Lauded as an authority, queen, veteran and even as the ‘founder’ of the revival itself, Kittie holds a rather unique place in today’s world of burlesquing. In fact, establishing the UK’s foremost burlesque organisation was all quite by happy accident…
THE MINISTRY OF BURLESQUE - The Story in Brief(s)
Whilst attending University at the turn of our millennium, Kittie discovered a passion for extra-curricular comic performance. Inspired by musical comedy, antiquated amusements and burlesque, she formed her own repertoire under the pun-worthy stage name ‘Kittie Klaw’. Attracting more attention than was anticipated, the mission grew in to a small troupe and expanded to advocate an idea of ‘public access theatre’ and fun for the sake of fun. Here, the mission statement began to form - “Together We Can-Can”.
By 2002, this mission had become known as the ‘Ministry of Burlesque’ (or MoB) where it’s risqué antics bewildered the press and bewitched the public, leaving Kittie no stranger to tabloid scandal and with a string of rather odd requests and advances. Relocating to London in 2005 to pursue her whim full time and to take up invitations to model across Europe, the MoB quickly entered the international spotlight and here, internet business aficionado James Malach (aka ‘The MoBFather’) turned the mission statement in to a global reality. The now infamous Ministry of Burlesque community website currently receives over 25,000 unique visitors every day and has over 14,000 members enjoying free networking services, job castings, resources, listings and advice.
As Britain’s premier protagonist, Kittie researches and writes for public use, press and media. In doing so, she has come to be regarded as an authority on the wide burlesque genre with classical and traditional British burlesque as her speciality - this is the bawdy, satirical musical-comedy tradition which was popularised in 19th Century Britain. Her essays and articles are freely available on this website - see here.
MoB MATRIARCH - Recherché Leader of the Renaissance!
What else has she done?
Rejuvenation of British burlesque: As well as establishing the UKs first dedicated burlesque organisation (well, of the new era) and in acting as champion of the unsung heroes and heroines of historical burlesque in her research, Kittie was also the first to bring burlesque back to the oldest surviving intact Victorian music hall - the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall. She was also used her reearch to create an all new Victorian burlesque in the style of well, Victorian burlesques - Victorian Values.
Furthermore, she and the MoBFather were also the first British judges to sit on the panel for the glamour-tastic American burlesque-striptease pageant, ‘Miss Exotic World’ in Las Vegas (2007) and introduced the existence of older forms (including British) of burlesque to the many who were hitherto unaware.
Production and Coaching: In reaction to public demand and in the interests of promoting a long-lasting and worthy industry, the MoB mission has expanded to form a professionally taught performance and production group. Here Kittie has meticulously devised her own specialised workshops and coaching programmes for Pin Up models and burlesque performers.
As founder of the Ministry of Burlesque, Kittie also continues to nurture the emergence of new talent through the community and coaching sessions. As impresario and show producer she also devises new routines and provides opportunity for both aspiring and established performers where she also takes a delicate hand in the direction, management and promotion of stars. Sitting right at the hub of the emerging industry since it began, Kittie really is the cat who gets the cream (of burlesque) and can uniquely offer highly specialised entertainment services to discerning clients.
“The Movers & Shakers of the burlesque world”
BBC2
‘An authority on British Burlesque Theatre’
Karen Gregor, Producer BBC R4
“Ministry of Burlesque is London’s leading school & social networking portal for aspiring burlesque artists”
The Independent
JOIN THE FUN!
Ministry of Burlesque Community & Resource Portal
Burlesque and Pin Up Model Workshops and Coaching
Burlesque, Pin Up Model and Pole Hen Parties and Activities
High Tease - Burlesque Variety Show
Victorian Values - Classical burlesques of Britain’s Society