DURING the week she’s on stuffy Zoom calls handling important business matters, but come the weekend her alter ego Kitty Littéur comes out to play as she indulges her real passion – burlesque.
A playful performer who likes to tease, Littéur has been ripping up the Aussie burlesque scene for nearly 15 years and has won umpteen competitions including Miss Burlesque Perth 2020, Burlesque Muse National 2021 and Miss Tassel Twirl Australia 2011.
The Perth local is currently getting ready to compete at the burlesque WA state finals at the Astor Theatre in Mt Lawley.
Littéur, 36, first got into burlesque in her early twenties, when she was collecting vintage clothes and corsets. After attending a vintage market held by Sugar Blue Burlesque, she was cajoled into trying a class.
“A common origin story for many Perth Burly performers – my friend wanted to sign up for classes and didn’t want to go alone so bam – here comes your girl because friends stick together,” Littéur says.
“I had been collecting vintage clothes and corsets for years, so I was thrilled to find a hobby that enabled my wardrobe to grow.
“And then the other performers and Sugar Blue Superstars (aka teachers) were so awesome and I never met a spotlight I didn’t love. I didn’t stand a chance against all that!”
Littéur says burlesque is always evolving and changing, but she still loves a routine with a tiny top hat: “One of the great things about going out to see a burlesque show is how many different styles you’ll find out there, and how much it crosses over with different styles of performance like drag and circus,” she says.
Cheeky edge
“My favourite thing about performing is having fun and sharing it with the audience. I love making people laugh, I’d make it my full time job if I could.
“My style of performance always has a playful, cheeky edge: I have a different style of tease to others, and I like to bring a bit of fun and a laugh into even my raunchiest stuff.”
At Mx Burlesque WA 2023, Littéur will be up against six contestants from across the state including Minxy Milva (Nollamara), Lola Moore (Ocean Reef), Pixie Lust (Rockingham) and Delza Skye (Oakford). They’ll compete in three categories – Red Carpet Parade, Striptease and Unique – vying to take out the top prize of $1000 and the Mx/Mr/Miss Burlesque WA title.
“The finalists are so unique in their own style, the WA competition will feature some seriously sexy acts, while others bring comedy to the stage and others skill and their own interpretation of burlesque,” says the show’s producer A’dora Derriere (Melanie Piantoni).
Littéur says the state finals have something for everyone.
“Burlesque is great fun for adults and can be amazing and glitzy, sexy and risqué, silly and funny, or dark and kinky – it’s all out there for you, you just have to find it, and support the shows you love. You’ll see bits and pieces borrowed from burlesque and vaudeville everywhere you go.”
But for the performer, it’s perhaps the escapism of being risqué and glamorous for a few hours, while still having the safety blanket of a nice house and job when the makeup and feather boa comes off at the end of the night.
“In my dreams I swan around in a fluffy robe being a full time performer and glamorous human, but the reality is that I have a full time job (which is actually super cool and I love it too – I get to feed different parts of my soul in different areas of life)” Littéur says.
“I have an amazing partner who I love very much and supports me in everything and a furry family including the world’s cutest dog and two fluffy biscuit bandits (cats).”
Mx Burlesque WA State Final is at the Astor Theatre 7.30pm on Saturday June 24. Tix at astortheatreperth.com
by STEPHEN POLLOCK
Perth Voice Interactive 
Leave a comment