Burlesque in Briefs: A History of Burlesque

mob-resourcesAn historical overview of the development of Burlesque.

This essay is an attempt to provide a brief overview of the main names and events in the history of this misunderstood craft, as it changed from Ancient Athens to modern day… I will be updating it as I uncover more information. There are so many heroes, stars and writers of the burlesque genre I shall have to  list them all in another document (as this is already rather lengthy), but significant people are named here.

Where to start? What is Burlesque?

The term ‘Burlesque’ literally means “to imitate, parody or send up”. This meaning hasn’t changed - it’s also a verb, an adjective and a noun :)

In essence, burlesque is best described as ‘provocative performance art’. As an entertainment form it has existed as poetry, verse, theatrical comedy - and more recently as ‘adult’ entertainment and also as an ‘underground’ scene for amateur enthusiasts too. It has been subject to much cultural reinterpretation across centuries and continents and has reached various zeniths of zeal across thousands of years featuring a galaxy of stars in it’s unceasing expansion.  It’s even evolving a new system of cross-cultural styles today. The history of burlesque itself, reads like a series of biographies of unlikely heroes and heroines, littered with triumphs over adversity, pioneering pursuits, derring-do(n’t) - and tragic tales.

Burlesque today has developed in to a wide genre with many styles (or forms) within it - just as Dance is a wide genre with many comparative and conflicting styles on offer, catering for different tastes and disciplines from classical to contemporary… so to is burlesque. Many of the burlesque forms are distinctly different from one another - and woe betide the booker who doesn’t realise.

Some acts involve song, some dance, some speech, some strip off, some don’t, some involve fire,  props, giant props, circus tricks, multi media, illusions and some involve a combination - or more. Some are solo, others duo, trio or troupe. Some are a few minutes in length others are a 90 minute production complete with flying space tigers in grass skirts (well, there might be…). From ancient lewd poems about incontinent Greek gods and mighty Spartan armies to faux-aristocratic ditties about Eton in 1930s,  from elaborate debt riddled theatre productions and the catchy tunes of Gilbert & Sullivan to ‘leg shows’ in men only bars - burlesque has had many faces (and not all of them pretty, G&S aside). However… read more….

High Tease & Vegas! - Glasgow, 4th July

opera_glasses1Kittie will be appearing in her Toff & Tales double act with cohort Jim Devereaux in the forthcoming High Tease in Glasgow…

Double the decadence for fourth of July frolics in one of Scotland’s most atmospheric venues. Celebrate Independence Day with two of Scotland’s hottest shows, High Tease – an uproarious revue of razor-wit and frisky burlesque, and Vegas – Scotland’s swingin’ award-winnin’ club, who have joined forces for a fabulous evening of shimmying showgirls, captivating cabaret and titillating tunes.

BOOK NOW

read more….

21:CP - Magazine Interview

issue4.jpgThe latest issue of online magazine 21:CP - a publication which celebrates modern pinups - features Kittie on the cover and inside in an in-depth interview where Kittie discusses British burlesquing through the ages and it’s modern climate of wit.

Read the interview here: read more….

High Tease - Edinburgh, 6-9th August

opera_glasses1Kittie is set to appear for 3 nights only at the Edinburgh Festival:

Ministry of Burlesque presents the infamous, notorious and uproarious HIGH TEASE show at the Edinburgh Festival.Ministry of Burlesque are hosting Edinburgh High Tease featuring “Battle of Burlesque” heats in conjunction with Bizarre Magazine, Rhymes with Purple & The Voodoo Rooms. read more….

ITV Channel Islands - Interview

As the grand spectacle at the ultra exclusive re-launch party for the Jersey Grand Hotel, Kittie was interviewed by the lovely Brian Constantine (GMTV).

See here for the clip.

The List - ‘5 Quick Questions’ Interview

pen_11http://www.list.co.uk/article/10982-5-questions-kittie-klaw/

As High Tease descends on Edinburgh for three nights of frisky “Battle of Burlesque” cabaret, we talk to the doyenne of feline femininity that is the ever-so-charming Kittie Klaw… read more….

Media, ITV Channel Islands : July 2008

Kittie discusses what burlesque is, it’s history and modern interpretations with GMTV’s Brian Constantine. In this clip, we also see snippets of Kittie as she performs her ‘Dream Dance’ and ‘The Piccadilly Prowler’ sketch with Toff & Tales hero Jim Devereaux for the re-opening of the Jersey Grand Hotel in July 2008.

read more….

Jersey Grand Hotel - Launch, 24th July

opera_glasses1Renaissance Lady Kittie is off to the Channel Islands this month to share her passion for Victoriana with a very special set.

Thrusday 24th July sees the re-launch of the newly restored Grand Hotel in Jersey. This beautiful 1890s Victorian hotel was once the lavish luxury retreat of the Royals and has enjoyed many parties thrown by the Queen herself. Our own “Recherche leader  of the Reanissance”  Kittie, will usher in a new era in this landmark building’s historic existence withbawdy antics. read more….

Bizarre Magazine - Major Contributor

pen_11ot off the Press! The new edition of the ever popular, weird-world and alternative culture magazine Bizarre is a ‘burlesque special’ with Kittie as a major contibutor. The special contains various inclusions from Kittie (3 pieces) and her Ministry of Burlesque people too. A history of classical British burlesque,  the Top UK Acts and a lokk at the ‘darker’ side of the American burlesque striptease. read more….

Cannes Film Festival - Festival House, 20th May

This years celebrated Cannes Film Festival will see an exciting new addition to the line up of A-list attractions and party places.  Custom Events have invited Kittie and the Ministry of Burlesque to hold court and entertain at the The M1NT Festival House where the famously ostentatious M1NT world of wealth and exuberance meets the very best of vintage entertainment to provide a private party experience for hob-knobbing film festival glitterati at this beautiful 3 acre villa in the heart of the festival. Read on for details. read more….