Tag Archives: 1940’s burlesque

Kent Online and War & Peace Revival Schedule

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Kitten von Mew

I came across this lovely article on ‘tinterweb’ tonight so thought I would share! I also wanted to let you know my performance schedule for the War and Peace Revival Show. This is liable to change, but should give you some sort of timings to aim for. There will always be someone on hand to ask in the Victory Marquee!

Victory Marquee

Wednesday – Adult evening performance, time TBA

Thursday – 2 daytime performances (Family Friendly)

Friday – Family friendly daytime performance and an adult evening performance (Time TBA)

Saturday – 1 daytime performance and 1 evening performance (as part of a “floorshow” cabaret with the John Miller Orchestra) – both Family Friendly. Around 3pm and 8.45pm

Sunday – Daytime family friendly performance, around 3pm

Jazz Club

Thursday – Live singing slot and burlesque performance from 11pm (time TBA)

Friday – Live singing slot from 11pm (time TBA)

I will also be doing picture and Military World Magazine signings, so make sure you collar me when you get the chance, because this will be one busy kitty!

See you all there!

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Posted in Events and Performances and tagged 1940's burlesque, 1940's singer, burlesque shows, folkestone racecourse, kitten von mew, military event, vintage girl, vintage pinup girl, war and peace revival, war and peace show, war and peace show schedule, ww2 event, ww2 events. Bookmark the permalink.

Stratford Arts Festival Performance – 1st June 2013

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Kitten von Mew

Kitten Von Mew performing at Stratford Arts Festival, Stratford upon Avon

Don’t forget to come and support me at this great local event! I will be doing a singing set and then a burlesque routine later in the evening!

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Posted in Events and Performances and tagged 1940's burlesque, belles burlesque, burlesque, kitten von mew, no.1 shakespeare, pole sensations, stratford arts festival, stratford upon avon, stratforward, the pinups, vintage burlesque, vintage pinups. Bookmark the permalink.

Hazards In The/ In My Field

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Kitten von Mew

On a rather soggy weekend at Wartime in the Vale (June), Mother Nature slapped me round the face with the back of her gale-force hand and tested my hairspray and heels to the limit with rain. It then struck me how different and more prepared you have to be as an entertainer at WWII and other open air events.

Walking around as a visitor, you bask in the glory of vintage vehicles, reenactors, stalls and entertainers, but forget that those singers, dancers and models that enthrall their audiences aren’t effortlessly immaculate. They have to walk the same cobbled streets you walk, brace the same weather and still have to look as if they stepped out of a magazine or movie, no matter how boggy the fields.

Lola Lamour in the rain, by kind donation of her good self (please do not use without her authorisation!)

I always love watching such performers as Lola Lamour, who (like me) is a complete devil for iconic 1940’s fashions, but to abandon her original snakeskin heels for a pair of wellies would degrade her star-like status and outfit. So we must hop, wobble, hobble and skip to dodge the hazards that may turn our nylons into “Goodbye, so long!”s and beloved pinup shoes from ‘irreplaceable’ to ‘untraceable’ under the mud. I stare enviously at those wearing military gear and warm boots, but am hell bent in wearing my lovely hats and 40’s dresses! Sure I could shelter in a tent for the entire event, but what would the fun in that be? I want to be out, meeting people, seeing things and buying bargains!

Portaloo’s can also be a strategical nightmare as you force your layered outfit into the confined space, dodge the floor of mass disruption (the glory of mud caught in the deep tread of boots), try and balance your handbag as you struggle with your straight-jacket underwear and test the endurance of the wall and door with many an accidental elbow ‘thwack’ as you try and rearrange your outfit again. You either exit looking as if you have been wrestling hippos in there or with an upturned nose and shudder. Classic signs of a girdle struggle is when you can hear the lady in question jumping up and down in the cubicle and she comes out all red faced and puffed out. I almost feel like waving a little flag and giving a cheer to those poor souls that survive the porta-hoopla.

Performing at field events can be the most tricky of all, especially if the changing room is in a completely different area. I say room, when this could actually be a tent depending on the event. I remember fondly getting ready in the back of the USO tent with just a gas lamp and tiny compact mirror; ducking and diving behind stacks of debris to change into my Burlesque outfits and praying that my pasties would be somewhat even…

My most recent event was a huge challenge because of the weather! Getting changed in a nice large mess hut was great, but then negotiating the journey back to the performance tent (where I would have to wait outside to make my entrance) in the mud and rain was a different story. I had decided to do my Pipe Dreams act, which is a gorgeous, sparkly WHITE costume (silly, silly kitten….), which would also showcase my new, spangle-tastic silver shoes from Johnson’s Originals (yes…I know…).

Kitten von Mew, 1940's Burlesque 'Pipe Dreams'

Pipe Dreams being performed at War and Peace Show 2011 – Image by Mr Mew

As I hid beneath my ghillie ‘tobacco’ cloak and staggered towards the entrance of the tent, a rather lively German reenactor didnt realise I was creeping up behind him and gave me a prompt kick on the knee (He was performing an energetic Morecombe and Wise dance move that would have been impressive without the plastic beer glass in hand). As the mud gave me friendly pat on the back of my fishnets and greeted my NEW SHOES with as much enthusiasm, I suddenly realised that the front of my white panel skirt also now resembled a piece of used toilet paper and I hadn’t actually started my performance yet. So what happens in this sort of situation? Do you storm off like a big stroppy Diva? No, you ruddy well get on with the show and laugh it off. Yes there were swear words later and even a disgruntled huff with furrowed brow (I know, stand back when you see these signs), but those are the hazards you have to face when working in these environments. They still enjoyed the show and I fear most of the audience were more ‘moths to my light bulbs’ than my disgraced shoes, but that is all the better. More importantly the shoes are now clean and lovely again! Huzzah!

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Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances and tagged 1940's burlesque, 1940's events, 1940s shows, burlesque, johnsons originals, johnsons shoes, kitten von mew, kitty von mew, lola lamor, lola lamour, pinup girl blog, vintage girl, vintage pinup, war and peace show, wartime in the vale, ww2 events, wwii events, wwii shows. Bookmark the permalink.

Twinwood Festival Burlesque Photos by Lee Parker

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Kitten von Mew

Richard and Kitten von Mew on the Vintage Life Magazine stand. Taken by Lee Parker

I have just received a photo CD from Lee and had to post up some of his shots from Twinwood 2012. There were so many great ones, it was hard to narrow them down, but they deserve to be seen! Here are some of my Lili Mewleen burlesque act from the Colonial Club and a few of my ATS fan dance at the Casablanca!

Kitten von Mew as Lili Mewleen – Taken by Lee Parker

Close up of original shot by Lee Parker

“Oh nein!” Taken by Lee Parker

Kitten in her Voller’s Corset by Lee Parker

Clam shell kisses, taken by Lee Parker

Kitten singing in the Casablanca Club in her ATS Corset by Lee Parker

A song and a smile making life worth while! By Lee Parker

Kitten von Mew’s ATS Fan Dance by Lee Parker

Low flying Spitfires! Taken by Lee Parker

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Posted in Events and Performances and tagged 1940's burlesque, 1940's fan dance, 1940's music events, burlesque, casablanca club, fan dance, kitten von mew, kitty von mew, music festivals, twinwood, twinwood 2012, twinwood festival, twinwood festival 2012, vintage burlesque, vintage fan dance. Bookmark the permalink.

Twinwood Festival 2012

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Kitten von Mew

Voted in the top 20 of UK festivals by The Telegraph 3 years running, Twinwood Festival is back for another great year! From 25th to 27th August, I will be there and performing Burlesque on the Saturday and Sunday evenings!

I am so excited as there will be a NEW entertainment marque, that can house 2000 people and not only will *swoon* Max Raabe be performing there…I will be too!

You will get to see my Lili Mewleen act in the Colonial Club, which was debuted at War and Peace Show this year and a fan dance with my ATS corset and some fun Gracie Fields songs to get you all singing along in Cafe du Bois and the Casablanca Club!

burlesque stocking striptease kitten von mew

Stocking Striptease by Kitten von Mew, Photography by Lee Parker

Kitten von Mew in ATS corset, taken by Candee Photography

The fantastic Sticky Wicket band will be there, my gorgeous Madeline Brown and Lola Lamour…did I already say MAX RAABE?…and sooooo many more acts.

For a little history behind Twinwood, you may not know that this was the airfield that Glenn Miller made his last flight from, before disappearing. They have a fantastic museum on site, that you must go and visit on Sunday. It is open 10.30am til 4pm, so plenty of time to fit in some culture before you Shag on the dance floor (it’s a dance move Ma…).

Remember to save your pennies before the event as there are heaps of swell stalls selling vintage bric-a-brac, clothing, repro and Vintage Life Magazine too! Strut your stuff in the evening in a new outfit from one of the stalls!

On Sunday and Monday ‘The Last Flight’ will be shown twice daily in the Tin Hat at approx 2.30 and 7.00 each day. I saw the live stage play in Leamington Spa a year or more back and it was incredibly well done and truly spine chilling. I can’t wait to see how they have turned it into a film.

There is something going on all day and night, whether it is watching a singer, dancing to a band, learning a bit of swing or watching Burlesque, so whether you are into the 30’s, 40’s or 50’s, head on down to this amazing event!

FRIDAY EVENING
(Friday evening is open to onsite weekend camping ticket holders only)
STROLLIN’ STEVE & ROCKIN’ THE JOINT
(DANCE MARQUEE)
RICARDO GAZZINI (TIN HAT CLUB)
RUG CUTTERS DANCE (HANGAR)

SATURDAY – ARENA STAGE
PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA
STICKY WICKET & HIS SWING ORCHESTRA
MOSCOW DRUG CLUB
BOBBY VALENTINO & THE MUSICIANS
THE THREE BELLES AND THE BEVIN BOYS
MADELINE BROWN
THE TOOTSIE ROLLERS
RUG CUTTERS DANCERS
C&BLE DANCERS

SATURDAY – CONTROL TOWER STAGE
SI CRANSTOUN
THE HEP CHAPS
CARMEN GHIA & THE HOTRODS
OO BOP SH’BAM
GALAXIE BOB

SATURDAY – COLONIAL CLUB
MAX RAABE & PALAST ORCHESTER
KITTEN VON MEW
THE LAMOURS
CASABLANCA STEPS
HANNAH NORTHEDGE
ALEX & SERGE
THE TOOTSIE ROLLERS
TEA DANCE
FASHION SHOW
DANCE LESSONS
ALL DAY VINTAGE MARKET
AND MUCH MORE
HOSTED BY DUSTY LIMITS

SATURDAY – DANCE MARQUEE
STROLLIN’ STEVE & HIS MUSIC MACHINE
DANCE LESSONS
FASHION SHOW

SATURDAY – HANGAR
CHRIS REYNOLD’S SWING SHIFT
DANCE LESSONS

SATURDAY – TIN HAT CLUB
RICARDO GAZZINI & FRIENDS
AFTERNOON VARIETY SHOW
THE TOOTSIE ROLLERS
SINCERELY YOURS
RICHARD C PARKER
ANNIE ANDREWS
SAMANTHA HUGHES
HISTORICAL LECTURES

SATURDAY – CASABLANCA CLUB
CASABLANCA HOUSE BAND
HANNAH NORTHEDGE
MADELINE BROWN
KITTEN VON MEW
BELLY DANCING

SATURDAY – LE CAFE DE BOIS DE JUMEAU
FLEUR DE PARIS
MOSCOW DRUG CLUB
SWING MUSEUM
ALEX & SERGE
KITTEN VON MEW

LATE SATURDAY NIGHT – THE GLADE
SWING MUSEUM

SUNDAY – ARENA STAGE
MAX RAABE & PALAST ORCHESTER
JOHN MILLER & HIS ORCHESTRA
THE JIVE ACES
THE METROTONES
FLEUR DE PARIS
THE POLKA DOTS
SINCERELY YOURS
C&BLE DANCERS

SUNDAY – CONTROL TOWER STAGE
THE FIREBIRDS
CROWN TOP KINGS
PAUL ANSELL’S NUMBER NINE
LAURA B & THE MOONLIGHTERS
GALAXIE BOB

SUNDAY – COLONIAL CLUB

KITTEN VON MEW
CASABLANCA STEPS
MAINLINE BIG BAND (TEA DANCE)
ALEX & SERGE
FASHION SHOW
DANCE LESSONS
MISS VINTAGE AND MR VINTAGE PAGEANT
ALL DAY VINTAGE MARKET
AND MUCH MORE
HOSTED BY DUSTY LIMITS

SUNDAY – DANCE MARQUEE
STROLLIN’ STEVE & HIS MUSIC MACHINE
THE STROLLERS
DANCE LESSONS

SUNDAY – HANGAR
CHRIS REYNOLD’S SWING SHIFT
DANCE LESSONS

SUNDAY – TIN HAT CLUB
RICARDO GAZZINI & FRIENDS
HISTORICAL LECTURES

SUNDAY – CASABLANCA CLUB
CASABLANCA HOUSE BAND
MADELINE BROWN
KITTEN VON MEW
BELLY DANCING

SUNDAY – LE CAFE DE BOIS DE JUMEAU
FLEUR DE PARIS
MOSCOW DRUG CLUB
SWING MUSEUM
ALEX & SERGE
KITTEN VON MEW

LATE SUNDAY NIGHT – THE GLADE
MOSCOW DRUG CLUB

MONDAY – ARENA STAGE
THE BOMBSHELLETTES
KINGS CROSS HOT CLUB
THE ZOLTANS
LOLA LAMOUR
MADELINE BROWN
SINCERELY YOURS

MONDAY – CONTROL TOWER STAGE
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES
THE CAT FISH KINGS
THE JIVEOHOLICS
STROLLIN’ STEVE & HIS MUSIC MACHINE

MONDAY – COLONIAL CLUB
ALL DAY TEA DANCE
DJs RADIO FLYER, MAJOR SWING & KITTY
PLAYING THE BEST IN 30s & 40s DANCE MUSIC
AND VINTAGE MARKET

MONDAY – DANCE MARQUEE
STROLLIN’ STEVE & HIS MUSIC MACHINE
DANCE LESSONS

MONDAY – HANGAR
DANCE LESSONS

MONDAY – TIN HAT CLUB
HISTORICAL LECTURES

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Posted in Events and Performances, Publicity and Media Announcements and tagged 1940's burlesque, burlesque, burlesque dancer, burlesque events, Glenn Miller, kitten von mew, kitty mew, lola lamour, madeline Brown, max raabe, the last flight, twinwood 2012, twinwood events, twinwood festival, vintage burlesque, vintage clothing stalls, vintage girl, vintage pinup, ww2 burlesque, WWII burlesque. Bookmark the permalink.

Lili Mewleen Act Debuted at Beltring 2012

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Kitten von Mew

lili marleen burlesque act kitten von mew

Lili Mewleen Burlesque Act starring Kitten von Mew, War and Peace Show 2012. Photo by Lee Parker

I have just received some great photos from Lee Parker of my new Lili Marleen inspired act, so I thought I would share some with you all!

My very talented Mr Mew made the lamp from scratch and I made my pasties, fascinator, train and garter. The dress once belonged to a drag queen (who has passed away, rest his soul). I stripped it of all the black ruffles, tassel trim, netting and fake boob inserts and designed it into a sleek and sexy gown with rhinestones and turquoise trimmings.

The gorgeous corset is actually from Vollers Corsets! When I did my interview for The One Show at the corset factory, I got to see some lovely designs that weren’t even for sale. I saw these zip down corsets and thought they were a brilliant idea! They are still tight lace with metal boning, but have a ‘quick release’ function with a very heavy duty, military grade zipper at the side. Determined for other corset lovers to see these unique designs, I vowed to wear one in an act to demonstrate how easy and sexily them come off! No more tangled lacing! Hurrah!
I wrote a parody of Lili Marleen as well as sang The Boys in the Backroom for Terry Elliot! You can see this act next at Twinwood Festival 2012!