This is a brand new act that I have been toying with for around 5 years, but decided to do it in dedication and memory of my beloved ‘Grandad with the Pipe’ who flamed my passion for the 1940’s and who was the inspiration for this act in the first place!
Pipe Dreams debuted at War and Peace 2011 and this family friendly version (the first time I had ever run through it properly!) was filmed by my lovely friend Lee Parker.
This video was taken by my great friend Lee Parker of my new Carmen Mewanda act that debuted at Wartime in the Vale this year. This clip was recorded on the Saturday evening at War and Peace 2011 with live singing and a fun strip tease. I hope you enjoy!
Kitten von Mew posing with WWII nose art
I thought I would show you some photos taken by Mr. Mew at Beltring this year (edited by myself). I did between 2 and 3 acts per day and some modelling for Heyday Online, so the week was flat out busy for me!
Kitten and Shona van Beers of Heyday Vintage
Pipe Dreams (my new act that debuted at War and Peace) went down a storm, although I nearly fell out of my pipe when climbing down! Smoking really is dangerous!
Kitten von Mew performing Pipe Dreams at War and Peace Show
Kitten von Mew in Pipe Dreams
Mr. Mew and I stayed in Gracie Wheels for the whole week which was fabulous, although we were right next to the entertainment tent so couldn’t get to sleep untl gone midnight. It was great to have a caravan there though, especially as a migraine sufferer and using it as a changing room!
Kitten as Carmen Mewanda with her caravan Gracie Wheels
The weather was pretty good and stayed mild with just a few showers. I managed to pick up a few bargains in the stalls and even got to sit in the cockpit of a Lancaster Bomber nose, as well as meet the original Allo Allo cast!
Kitten von Mew with the original Allo Allo cast!
Kitten von Mew in Cockpit
Posing in my Bomber Girl corset before performing
We took Gracie Wheels out on her first ever trip last weekend to Wartime in the Vale in Evesham. This was a great way to make sure she hadn’t got any major problems before The War and Peace Show in July.
She towed very well and looked fantastic in the sunshine, especially after we hung bunting out! She got quite a lot of interest as we were parked opposite the military vehicle exhibits!
Kitten von Mew outside Gracie Wheels at Wartime in the Vale 2011
The show seemed to be 3 times bigger than last year, with many more vehicles on show. DJ Woody was back with his awesome music, there was a much better dance floor, Fiona Harrison sang and I also did a singing set each day and debuted my new Carmen Mewanda act in the evening! It went down a storm and I am so glad I altered the act from a fan dance. I was really pleased with the way the costume came out too. It was the first time I had tried to make anything out of sinamay and I was proud of the results for the headdress. The costume itself looks fab but I put on weight since making it last year (I always lose so much weight after the busy season has finished and put it back on again in winter!), so had to alter it at the last minute.
Kitten von Mew's Carmen Mewanda Costume!
On the Saturday my parents joined us as they kindly brought the caravan. I think we would have more hope of a parrot on a bicycle towing Gracie than my little Picanto. They stayed and watched my singing set of which I had added 3 new songs to! I had a great time on stage and had 2 tiny tots running around by my feet throughout. I was on the dance floor so there was no real barrier between me and the public. The little ones disappeared after a while and the baby girl came back in my last song with a huge bag of Quavers. She looked up at me, then sat down about 2 feet away. I thought ‘If you can’t beat em…’ and sat down with her whilst I sang We’ll Meet Again. It was so funny and dad took a gorgeous photo of us…
Kitten singing at Wartime in the Vale
I found a few bargains whilst we walked around including a pair of women’s mosquito gators dated 1945 for £3 of which I am currently wearing with a tweed skirt, a US Army jacket for Richard at £5 (believe it to be 50’s), a fabulous 1950’s swimsuit for £17 and a 1940’s black wool skirt for £7. Not too shabby huh?
Mr. Mew after my performance on the Saturday evening in the entertainment tent
This video was shot at Gaydon Heritage Motor Centre. I had just come up with a few new lyrics whilst we were sat having a cup of coffee, watching the rain coming down. In a caffeine fuelled dash of genius and lunacy, we went to the sci-fi exhibit and shot this little number. Not Albert Hall worthy, but hopefully someone will get a giggle out of it.
This weekend I performed at the Heritage Motor Museum’s Commercial Vehicle Show. Last year I did a family friendly version of RAF Fancy and this year they wanted something 1950’s inspired! I decided on another family friendly routine and a few 1950’s songs including some Elvis.
The fan dance was similar to RAF Fancy with a few little changes and started with me singing Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend. I sang this once before at a Christmas party around 6 years back at an old work place and it was awful, so really wanted to do my best this time now I have a bit more confidence!
Although the crowds didn’t really stop, it did draw a few people and applause could be heard dotted around the museum after each song! It absolutely tipped it down on Sunday so I was transferred from the outdoor stage to the museum which was wonderful.
I also enjoyed looking round the exhibits including a car from one of the recent James Bond movies, Lady Penelope’s pink car from the Thunderbirds movie, land speed record vehicles and more. The museum also boasted a travelling exhibit of sci-fi movie replicas, of which I had a hilarious time posing with!
Everyone was so lovely and Emma and Sophie at the museum couldn’t be more helpful!
Kitten von Mew with Star Trek Costumes at Gaydon Heritage Motor Centre 2011
Kitten von Mew Sings 1950's Songs at the Vintage Commercial Vehicle Show 2011
Kitten von Mew with Jabba the Hut at Heritage Motor Museum
On Sunday I entertained the crowds at Colchester Football Stadium at a British Legion event! The stadium played host to a recreation of the football game from Michael Caine’s classic Escape To Victory between the Nazi soldiers and POW’s. Before the match I sang some 1940’s classics before doing my family friendly RAF Fancy Fan Dance outside the grounds. Then at half time I sang 3 songs (see the video above) for the crowd. This was the first time I had sung in a stadium and it was very strange hearing my voice echoing around the place!
Although very tired from a stupidly bad nights sleep at a rather awful B&B, Richard and I had a lovely time and hope that the British Legion raised heaps of money at the event!
Cadets at Colchester Stadium with Kitten von Mew
Taxi for Mr. Mew!
Tomorrow I will be performing at Dr. Sketchy’s at the Victoria Pub, John Brighton St in Birmingham. Bring along your sketch pads and come along for a relaxed afternoon of Burlesque and life drawing! Doors open at 3.30pm.
I will be performing my Songbird routine (minus the cage), singing live and posing for drawings. I will also be donning my mermaid outfit for a 2nd pose later on!
1940's Pin-Up Entertainer Kitten von Mew 