Burlesque fitness

Forget about sweaty trainers, baggy tracksuit trousers, and grimacing as you exert yourself. High heels, feather boas and a sexy pout are the order of the day for a burlesque workout. Suzanne Savill finds out more

Pink feather boas are not what most people would associate with a fitness class.

And Poppy von Tarte is a far from typical dance teacher.

Instead of exhorting the students in her class to "go for the burn", she is more interested in getting them to drape their feather boas properly across their shoulders.

For this is exercise burlesque-style, at the Pink Kitten Dance School.

As burlesque has dramatically increased in popularity in Bristol, so has demand for burlesque classes from women seeking a fun way to work out.

"Most ladies arrive nervous and unsure of what to expect," says Poppy (whose real name is Michaela Dunne), who runs Pink Kitten with Tabitha Tease (real name Hannah Nicholls).

"They always leave our workshops with much more confidence, a spring in their step and a knowing look in their eye."

Pink Kitten was set up in 2005 by Bristol-based burlesque performer Keda Breeze, and both Michaela and Hannah were teachers at the school before they took it over.

The school, based in King Square, holds classes in burlesque, pole dancing and cheerleading at a variety of venues around Bristol.

"Our most popular classes are without doubt our burlesque workshops," says Hannah.

"They offer a little bit of naughtiness on a Saturday afternoon. While everyone else is shopping you are shimmying and shaking your best assets!"

Michaela adds: "They are popular because they give the students the chance to learn some basic burlesque dance movements, poses and walks, which they then perform as a group at the end of the workshop.

"The workshops also go into the history of burlesque, costuming ideas and burlesque character development, giving students the basis from which to create their own alter ego."

Students who have attended the course can progress to Burlesque Workshop Level 2, and some have even progressed to performing in public.

Michaela says: "Many of the Pink Kitten burlesque graduates go on to perform at local club nights and cabarets.

"Some just prefer to take their new-found skills back home to the bedroom.

"Previous pole-dance students have gone on to enter competitions, perform on stage and even become teachers for Pink Kitten.

"We now have our own Pink Kitten Pole Dance Troupe, composed of teachers and students. They recently performed at Pole Unity and at the Hobbs Fashion Show."

Hannah and Michaela themselves both had their careers transformed by the Pink Kitten Dance School.

"I was working in an office, and was looking for a new way to keep fit and explore different dance forms, so I signed up to a Pink Kitten pole dance course," says Hannah.

"I liked it so much I stayed on and before I realised what had happened I was asked if I would like to train to be a pole teacher – of course I jumped at the chance.

"Since then I've been involved in burlesque as a performer in a troupe as my alter ego Tabitha Tease and can be seen regularly as a showgirl at Hoochie Coochie Kabaret."

Michaela had trained as an actress and had researched burlesque for a performance she was doing.

"I loved it so much that I created my own alter ego, Poppy von Tarte, and started doing a few burlesque cabarets for fun.

"When I moved to Bristol five years ago I met Keda Breeze and started performing burlesque professionally around the UK.

"I've always loved teaching as much as performing, so when Keda asked me to teach for Pink Kitten I jumped at the chance.

"I still perform burlesque and also snake dancing at cabarets around the UK."

So why do women want to learn to dance burlesque?

"Many women want to learn a new skill or dance form and many want to have a go at performing. Some do it for fitness, some for a confidence boost," says Hannah.

"Some people love to dress up for our classes, wearing things like corsets and high heels, evening gloves and feather boas, but this is by no means necessary.

"The most important thing for people to bring is their sense of humour!"

Michaela adds: "Originally we just ran the courses but we were then approached by a few students who asked if we could come and teach a pole class for their birthday party.

"We then had similar requests from hen party organisers. We found teaching hen parties such a riot we started to promote our party service to the world. The atmosphere is always fun."

Indeed, as Michaela is being photographed she is busy teaching a hen party that has come to Bristol from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.

And the popularity of burlesque in the local area is such that burlesque classes are also offered in Bristol and Bath by The Showgirl Academy.

So why is so much interest in burlesque around Bristol?

Michaela replies: "Bristol is a very creative are of the country and a short hop from London, which makes it the perfect base for established performers of all disciplines and budding starlets.

"There are a lot of club nights that regularly hire burlesque and cabaret performers in Bristol, which all just adds to the buzz.

"Also, burlesque has really taken off throughout the UK over the last three years or so.

"I think people are nostalgic for what is perceived to be an innocent and glamorous time.

"We've also noticed that people have fallen back in love with variety and live performance, and want more from their Friday and Saturday nights than sitting in the pub!"

An Intensive Burlesque Day with burlesque performer and Pink Kitten founder Keda Breeze will take place at The Albany Circus training space, Shaftsbury Road, Montpelier, Bristol, on Saturday, September 11, from 10am to 6pm. For details on the class, and on Pink Kitten Dance School, call 0117 944 1666 or visit www.pinkkitten dance school.com.

Mention the word "burlesque", and many people think about striptease, sequined basques, and the American performer Dita von Teese.

However, when burlesque began in 18th-century Europe, it was a form of humorous and exaggerated musical theatre which often parodied an existing play.

American burlesque had its origins in 19th-century vaudeville and music hall, and by the early 20th century featured striptease.

The most famous burlesque star of that day was Gypsy Rose Lee, who was as much renowned for her sharp humour as her seductive striptease, and performed at the Minsky Brothers' burlesque clubs that were started in 1912.

By the 1930s, burlesque shows were mainly focused on striptease, but still featured humour and short routines.

However, complaints about indecency from local citizens let to the demise of burlesque clubs in the 1930, which was later dramatised in the film The Night They Raided Minskys.

A revival of burlesque began in the mid-Nineties, in New York and Los Angeles.

Nowadays, burlesque now takes many forms, but invariably includes the pastiche, parody, humour, cabaret and striptease that have been part of the history of burlesque.

When the new Harvey Nichols store opened in Cabot Circus in September 2008, Dita von Teese performed in the top floor restaurant at an opening event for invited guests.

Meanwhile, Bristol's own burlesque scene was growing, thanks to popular events such as Hoochie Coochie Kabaret at Metropolis and Cabaret of Curiosities at The Cub.

Recently, a new burlesque social event called Swanky Panky was launched, by local entrepreneurs Kerry Hale of FUSE networking and Amy Whitaker of Pomegranate Boutique.

The first Swanky Panky will take place at The Square Club, Clifton, on Thursday, August 26, with entertainment from The Showgirl Academy. For further information go to www.fusebristol.co.uk.