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 emerging industry, Kittie’s work within the MoB focuses on inclusion, education and aspiration. Best described as a ‘mediatrix’ she acts as a producer, liaison, community leader, reluctant performer and nerdy researcher.
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 and burlesque, she formed her own repertoire and troupe under the pun-worthy stage name ‘Kittie Klaw’. Attracting more attention than was anticipated, the mission grew and expanded to advocate an idea of ‘public access theatre’. Here, the mission statement began to form - “Together We Can-Can”.
“Kittie is at the forefront of the international burlesque renaissance”
Editor - The List
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, the MoB quickly entered the international spotlight where 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, castings, resources, listings and advice.
“The Movers & Shakers of the burlesque world”
BBC2
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 wider 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 Library panel on the right.
MoB MATRIARCH - Recherché Leader of the Renaissance!
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, Kittie was also the first to bring burlesque back to the oldest surviving intact Victorian music hall - the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall. 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).
‘An authority on British Burlesque Theatre’
Karen Gregor, Producer BBC R4
In reaction to public demand and in the interests of promoting a long-lasting and worthy industry, the MoB mission has expanded in to both a professionally taught performance academy and production group - with key experts placed to lead these inspired and unique projects nationwide. The esteemed MoB Academy has notably raised both the standard of performance on the hobbyist circuit, the tight professional circle and has also set the standard for teaching itself.
“Ministry of Burlesque is London’s leading school & social networking portal for aspiring burlesque artists”
The Independent
As founder of the Ministry of Burlesque, Kittie also continues to nurture the emergence of new talent through the community and academy. 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.
JOIN THE FUN!
Ministry of Burlesque Community, Resource Portal & IPTV Channel
High Tease - Burlesque Variety Show
Victorian Values - Classical burlesques of Britain’s Society