Ministry Of Burlesque Info

We are burlesque specialists. Our mission is two-fold: to nurture the emergence of the professional industry and to 'raise the barre' for the growing scenes.

We are unique entertainment providers and educators with unparalleled experience and expertise, utilising both traditional showbiz methods and 21st century communications media. At the forefront of the burlesque renaissance in Britain officially since 2002, Ministry of Burlesque is both an online resource portal and an organisation for burlesque theatre - in all it's diverse forms.

Our 'mission' of inclusion and growth demands provision and opportunity. We provide free resources and networking services because we support and encourage inclusion and exploration of burlesque entertainment. We conduct our own research, produce our own events, nurture careers, coach talent, develop our own technologies - and we share these experiences and results with the wider community. We are perhaps a little experimental.

We also provide professional coaching and production services and act as talent agents. We devise and develop high specification shows for private, public and corporate sectors, whilst managing select performer careers.

Setting the standard in modern production, our uproarious burlesque revue High Tease celebrates and showcases the many forms within the genre. It is considered the benchmark for quality and is an aspiration for many performers. Victorian Values is a 'rejuvenation' of the traditional British burlesque form that sends up the Empire of then and now. Both shows have won critical acclaim and are sell out successes.

Emulated and often enthusiastically imitated, Ministry of Burlesque perform, produce, educate and coach internationally, are frequent media personalities and offer their marketing services to other suitable candidates.

Please contact us directly here for any enquiries.

The People Behind Ministry of Burlesque

James Malach (aka the MoBFather) is the technical visionary behind the development of the community, networking methods and media. Joining MoB in 2005 his exceptional skills and experience as a designer, developer and programmer led Ministry of Burlesque to become a global phenomenon in both it's appeal and influence, even being noted as having a 'cultural impact'. James' expertise has ensured that Ministry of Burlesque has remained a leading brand and is unmatched as an essential resource portal.

Kirsty Lucinda Allan (aka Kittie Klaw) is the founding member of Ministry of Burlesque and is the main liaison for all production, coaching and media enquiries. Psychologist turned entertainer, she is a scholar on the history of burlesque and devotee to the lesser known traditions, she is also the energy behind our stage productions, coaching, research and development. She has become a frequent guest in press and media winning acclaim from both media and comedy luminaries for her writing, performances and productions. Lauded as the 'queen', 'leader', 'captain', 'authority' and 'major force' behind the UK renaissance itself, she is regarded as a unique specialist.

Both Kittie and James are active moderators on the community forums.

What Is Burlesque?

Perhaps best described as 'provocative performance art' it's literal meaning is to 'send up, satirise or make mockery of'. It is a genre of entertainment with over two millennia of social history and influence, with it's roots in classical Greek satire. Over centuries and continents of change, it has been adapted and moulded to fit the contemporary tastes of different audiences. In it's simplest semantics, it is noun, adjective and verb used to apply to anything which is 'in an exaggerated, absurd or topsy-turvy' style.

Just as Circus or Dance are genres with many distinct styles within, Burlesque too is a genre with many (often contrasting) styles within it. For example, burlesque is in Britain, chiefly a form of quick-witted musical-comedy where female performers take the lead, often in male roles and male characters are lampooned. However, in 20th century America, burlesque became associated with striptease and so 'golden era' American burlesque focuses not so much on satire but on exaggerated ideas of feminine sexuality and stripping off. This style is very popular today, yet older styles from around the world are still prevalent and have remained strongly rooted in parody, tending to have a satirical and often 'gender-bending' nature.

In recent times, the word 'burlesque' has come to apply to a number of associated forms too. These forms are also considered to be burlesques when they are performed in an exaggerated, satirical or 'topsy-turvy' fashion.

Now a worldwide genre encompassing varying cultural influences, there are social scenes and networks across the globe. There is also a new 'emerging industry' developing at different rates, with different interpretations, in different countries. Performers today often pay homage to a particular tradition (i.e. drama, glamour or drag) and /or blend the styles and various personal influences to create what is loosely termed 'neo-burlesque'. It is this variation, accessibility and diversity of personal style that is the driving power behind the rapid evolution of 21st century burlesque entertainment.

For more information on the history and modern world of burlesquing, see our Resources.