Tabby Twitch: Performing in Her Prime

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In this episode, Gemma chats with Tabby Twitch, the friskiest feline in burlesque. She shares her journey of finding burlesque in the prime of her life and creating Prime, a show that celebrates performers at the height of their powers. With a background in both performing and producing, Tabby talks about her creative process, the empowerment of performing in your prime, and how she’s redefining what it means to own the stage at any age.

Links:

• More about Tabby Twitch: Website
• Follow Tabby on IG: @tabbytwitch
• Follow Kitten Coven on IG: @kitten.coven
• Get tickets to Prime on 11/6

Get in Touch:

• Instagram: @tailsandtasselspod, @gemmasmithnyc
• Come to the Catbaret on 10/31 in NYC! 
• Email us at TailsandTasselsPod@gmail.com
• Leave a comment below

Transcript

Also probably very influenced by the show cats, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, because I saw it, you know, 12 times when I was seven years old. And that's, you know, for better or for worse. I think it's for better. Clearly it imprinted on you. You were very young. know. Yes.

Welcome back kitty cats to another episode of Tales and Tassels. I'm your host Jemma Smith. By day I'm an animal advocate, by night I produce the cat beret, a cat themed variety show. And in this podcast, I chat with burlesque and nightlife performers about their craft, their cats, and how the two worlds collide. Before we dive into today's episode, I would be remiss if I didn't plug

our upcoming Cat Parade show in just a couple weeks. Join us on October 31st for Meow-Lewin for Halloween and cat-themed comedy, music, magic, and burlesque, or as we like to call it, a little pur-lesque. We'll also have an audience costume contest, raffle prizes, and free cat ears for all. Mark your calendars, kitty cats, and get those tickets right meow.

And also if you're listening to this podcast and you're like, Gemma, I do not live in New York City. Guess what? We have live stream tickets available. They're good up to seven days after the show for only $10. So check the link in the show notes, come to the Cat Beret, and I hope to see you there. I'm positively thrilled to introduce you to my dear friend and fellow purr performer, Tabby Twitch.

Tabby, known as the friskiest feline in burlesque, has graced the stage at My Cat Beret many times over the years. She's also an actor, writer, and producer, as well as half of the burlesque duo Kitten Coven. Her own show, Prime, celebrates performers at the height of their powers. Can you achieve your highest potential without help from a feline? She's not so sure. Thank you so much for being here today, Tabby.

Gemma Smith (02:11.858)
it's an honor, Jetma. Thrilled to be here. You are one of the few people that I know personally who is a burlesque performer with the feline-themed name, so I knew it was perfect and you were one of the first people for this podcast. I'd love for you to start off by telling us a bit about your background and how you got started in burlesque performance. Absolutely. I am an actor.

I guess to background, I was born in London, but grew up here in New York City. And I did theater for years and years and years. My husband and I have a production company. We have a reading series with another friend, our friend Stuart. We produce readings once a month. You know, I worked as an actor. I was quite busy as a young person because I looked young. I looked like 25 until I was 40, which was good for theater.

But I did start to look my age and then the work became less and less. So though I had these creative outlets planning the reading series, the films, I was writing, I was painting, I didn't really have enough stage time. So my stripping sister, Pussy Lee, suggested that we take a class at the New York School of Burlesque and we started with the, I think that like the kind of basics.

class, which was so fun. And then she was like, let's do the Act development class. And I was like, really? Like, ugh. But we took it. And I don't know that I made a conscious decision, like, I'm going to do this. But I was, you know, it was like baby steps. Like, OK, I did the showcase. Then maybe I could do like a more professional show. So I guess having the performing background, being an actor.

like made it a bit more real for me. Like, I could do this. Like, I know how to be on stage or how to be backstage and all this stuff. Yeah, that totally makes sense. And I've had a few interviews and I interviewed your burlesque sister of Kitten Coven, Pussy, and she mentioned how you all took the Act Development class. And I think it's so interesting for people interested in getting started in burlesque to listen and hear. People come from all different backgrounds, but a common background is theater.

Gemma Smith (04:37.602)
being an actor, telling a story, learning a character, which you are so well trained in. And it's so interesting to me personally that you're like, look, there aren't opportunities anymore, or as many as I used to have in this one area. So let me try something new. What was that like taking the class, dipping your toes into the burlesque pond? How did you find that transition? Well, I'm such a nerd. I love.

Like I just think it's so important for me, but I do not think you have to go to school to be a burlesque performer, much like you really don't need to, you know, have an MFA to be an actor, obviously. But I don't know, like I think learning from people that have been doing it, learning about the history of burlesque, like that really kind of set me down the path that I wanted to be on.

It's nice to be accountable. I took that Act development class as well. feel like my podcast people, we are plugging the New York School of burlesque a lot because that's where people are getting their start. It's just nice to have that accountability and be around other people that are interested in it. Yeah, you meet people, exactly. And so some of the people in my class, they also have their own shows now and are quite busy. then you're like, we were baby burlesque-ers together. And that's a nice thing to have in common.

Yes, I love that part of the community. And speaking of other performers, so something that I really love about Burlesque is everyone has their own different style, their own persona. So how would you describe your performance style? Does it change from act to act? Yeah, tell our listeners a little bit. I mean, I've seen you perform, but I'm curious to hear like how you even developed Tabby. I mean, I think Tabby is probably just a side of

Jane. Right. Yeah. But I think Tabby is also very influenced by cats. know, cats can be kind of sultry and lying around, or they can be like running around like wild things. So I think, you know, I enjoy doing a diverse range of acts, whether they're high energy, more, I would never say an act is low energy, but more, you know, like more stillness.

Gemma Smith (07:00.396)
And I think that that's directly comes from being around cats. Ooh, I love that. Yes. And so your name, Tabby Twitch, clearly it's feline inspired and it's so smart. I love the alliteration and almost like the visual I'm getting just hearing your Well, Gemma, it has literary roots, you know. how'd I not know? Yeah, it's a Beatrix Potter character and she's Tabitha Twitchit is the mother, I believe, of...

Tom Kitten. I love it. So her name was Tabitha Twitcham? Or Twitchit. Twitchit. So you just shortened it. So I shortened it. I love it. And then just hoped that the estate of Beatrix Potter would let it slide. it probably never heard of me. It's OK. Yeah, no. Let's keep it that way. Now they're going to sue. no. They're going to sue you. Speaking now of Tabby Twitch. Now, not all of your acts are cat themed, but let's

Let's hear about a couple of your favorite cat-themed acts. Yeah, you know, most of my cat-themed acts are, in fact, kitten-comin' acts. That is the burlesque duo of Pussy Lee and Tabby Twitch. We are a sisterhood of cats plotting to take over the world, one tease at a time. And that's really a joy, that duo, for me, because we're

It's more collaborative. Like I think Burlesca can be a kind of solitary endeavor, not unlike writing. But Kitten Coven is, feel like Pussy and I are creating these acts together. So we have a slew of cat acts. We have our self-control. It takes place in the animal shelter. And we are kittens trying to break out, go crazy once they shut down the lights of the shelter.

And that's really like to promote adopting pets, adopting your cat. I have to just say that's one of my favorite acts of y'all's because I work in animal welfare and you have a mission. It's like you are performing as these cats that want to find a home and it's so fun and entertaining. But also it's like a really nice positive message to encourage people to adopt cats. That's so perfect. Yeah, it's always good to get a little like message. I mean,

Gemma Smith (09:27.49)
You know, you don't want to be didactic with art, but I think in my writing and my short film work that I do, I always try to have a there's a little fable aspect in there. What else? Kitten Coven Groomers. We are groomers. We have our shop, Kitten Coven Groomers, and you can bring your cat in and we will buff and shine them.

And so we have like the giant scissors, giant comb, we have our stuffed animal cats. We're not using real cats in the act, obviously. So that's a good one. It's very sexy. There's a lot of placement of the stuffed cats and things that are just, ooh. Exactly. Burlesque is, it's so creative. If you can, for the most part, if you can dream it, you can do it. Yes.

And then you have a workout kitty act that actually you performed solo, even though Pussy and I talked about this. That is the brainchild of Pussy, 100%. I never would have come up with that. She did the costume. We haven't performed it together yet, but I have a feeling we will. Yeah, so you have to do that at Capre sometime. I would love to see it together, because you're like different workout kitties. She had mentioned that you each have your own take on it. So it could be really interesting if you're like competing workout.

Kitties, I don't know, I really like that I love that idea. And Pussy also talked about how it's really nice, like you said, you mentioned having someone to work with and bounce ideas off that. She reiterated that as well. So how is it different for you when you come up with a solo piece versus a duo act? I would say for

It's a very long kind of gestation period. Like I think about it for possibly years. Like it's all kind of bubbling up and you know, I'll be cleaning out my closet. I'll be like, I could use this for this act idea. And then I put it aside. then like I was even, look, I'm working on an act now that

Gemma Smith (11:41.678)
I was looking on my Amazon, things I had saved on Amazon for this act of 2022, I did that. So it's been like, just been thinking for a while about it. And then all of a sudden it like just explodes and I kind of come up with the whole thing and like, I don't know, like writing down notes and for a couple of days. And then if there's more costume pieces I need, I get those. And then once you have the track and the costume pieces, it kind of all falls into place.

Yeah, it kind of sounds like you're very inspired by the music and the costuming first. I think so. I think so. Yeah. Same. Same. like that too. And I understand, like, for people who are new, perhaps, listening, wanting to dip their toes into the burlesque pond, it's a real fun process to create an act, but it can take some time and you might need to marinate on it. You know, you don't want to rush it. Not everything can happen.

Overnight no and and there's so much work that goes into it You want to be sure that you're doing it like the way that you want to do it, right? Because you don't want to get all the costume pieces and be like, this is all wrong Although that has happened and you kind of learn right like if you do perform an act and you're like that costume piece didn't work You could upgrade it. Do you find that with your act sometimes that you make changes once you debut a new act? Yeah

add to it. I wouldn't say I make like big dramatic changes, but you know, yes, you can kind of embellish like what you've already created. speaking of debuting new acts, you have your own show, Tabby Twitch's Prime. And so I love going, I'd love you to tell us about the show because we get to see your new acts and other people debut new acts there. Yeah, tell us the inspiration behind the show.

the inspiration is just being an older performer. And the idea of being in your prime, I guess it's a bit trendy nowadays, right? Because we're all kind of lifting up people that are middle-aged. But I don't know, it felt very truthful to me. Like, I'm in my prime. And I guess the idea behind it is that not every guest.

Gemma Smith (13:59.02)
You're just a spring chicken, Gemma, and you've been in the show. I'm almost 40 next year, so I'm getting, I guess you could say middle-aged. But you know, the idea is that prime is like a state of mind. Yes. So, you know, we certainly have performers that are young that come in, if they're in their prime, they're welcome. And, you know, the idea also is that I want the audience to kind of come in. You know, perhaps they've had a tough work week, they're feeling beleaguered.

beaten down by life. They might be feeling like that. And when they leave, I want everyone to feel like they're in their prime. I think you absolutely accomplished that. can say you can get that for $20. 20 bucks and in the East Village. Great location. Yeah. Every time I've left the show, I feel great. It's a great crowd. It's so hot. Like it's a positive space. I love it. At the Gray Mayor. At the Gray Mayor, Second Avenue. Yeah. Next.

is November 6th. It feels like a long way away, but fall is in the air, in my opinion. It's not sweltering out anymore, unfortunately. Yeah, absolutely. It'll be here before you know it, and this episode probably will air right around the show, maybe right before. marketing genius. That was not planned, but I think it works out.

And you tell me you'll be in the show. yes, I'll be in the show too so we can encourage our listeners to come see you and me in the show. I'll be debuting a new act as well. Yes, and speaking though of how you found inspiration from a cat and we're having other performers on the show that have cat themed names or acts. Why do you think in general many burlesque performers are inspired by cats? I feel like you have a good sense of

I don't know, the mystique that cats bring into our lives. yeah, I just curious your thoughts on that. I guess I think that cats possess qualities that I always aspire to and being a burlesque performer. would say I always want to be silly. I always want to be smart, but I want to do those things elegantly. And I think that's what cats do. Nice. Yes. I think that's.

Gemma Smith (16:23.264)
right on because we can see smart, elegant, sexy, acts. And then there's a lot of silliness too. Cats can be super silly. So I love that you said that. Do you have a favorite act of yours overall? And it could be cat themed. It doesn't have to. We know you love cats. really don't. I guess whatever I'm doing up next is my favorite act. The one I'm thinking about. Ooh, I like that. So it's always creating and thinking of what's next.

Yeah, or even just like planning a show, be like, I haven't done this act in a long time. I'll do this one and then kind of be thinking about it and living it. I love that. And then before we move on to learn more about your cats, would just like to know in general, and maybe you already mentioned what you love about burlask as far as the creativity. But what is just your absolute favorite thing?

about performing burlesque. When you're on stage, what is it that brings you back time and again? Burlesque is different from theater in general because you're really interacting with the audience in a way that you kind of don't. And certainly, obviously in film, there's no interacting with the audience. So the camera. So I think that's like very special to have that, you know, to kind of, you have to gauge where the audience is and then you tailor your.

Performance, a bit to that. I like that added element. You know, in theater, it's more like, this is my viola. I'm gonna do her tonight the way that I've rehearsed it 800 times. I think there's much more like a kind of, there's more room for spontaneity based on the audience. And burlesque and that is something that I haven't been like kind of, I haven't been totally comfortable with that, but I feel like, just because it feels scary to me, because I like to plan everything.

I know you do too. I relate. So that's been like a thing that I've had to get used to, but I actually love it. It's really exhilarating and exciting. And I'm looking forward to doing more of that in the future. And I do think that the gray merit that that space kind of forces you to do that, which is good. I was just thinking that because for those

Gemma Smith (18:38.03)
who haven't yet been to the Gray Mirror, there is kind of like a little walkway in the middle. There's a stage area in the front and you kind of can really intersperse with the audience or play with the audience. And every space in Burlesque in New York City, they're all different types of stages, mostly small stages, but you never know. Some might be bigger, some might, you have to enter through the audience. So you're absolutely right that that kind of changes up based on the space.

It really does. OK. And so we've talked today about your craft, your persona as Tabby, what led you to burlusk, and your own show Prime, which people have to go check out. Now, I would love to hear about two very special creatures who I know about already, but I would love for you to share for our listeners. Tell us about your cats. What are their names and how did they come into your lives? Yeah, I have a

two cats, Edie and Nico. They were named after the Andy Warhol factory girls, Edie Sedgwick and Nico, the German singer. And they are from the ASPCA. My husband and I had a cat Agatha who died tragically, which was only nine. And I was away doing a production of a Noel Coward play.

wasn't here for that. And when I came home, there was an empty house with no cats. that's not a home. No. No. So I called all the shelters and the woman at the ASPCA was so nice. This was, think, a year before the kitten nursery opened. OK. And she said, well, we have two shy gray tabbies, two kittens. And that was kind of exactly what I was thinking, two shy sisters. I was like, I'll get two tabby sisters.

So I went to meet them and they were, yes, cowering in the cage. But they were so cute. They were eight weeks old. So I brought them home and they really did spend their first six weeks with us under the bed. wow. They really, really were shy. They were really petrified. So then they came, they just came around because I've been over to your apartment before and they're out and they're so, they just took them time. They're all over us. It just takes time. So that's a good thing to keep in mind with.

Gemma Smith (21:04.332)
with your kittens that they could eventually become very brave. Although one of our kittens is still Niko. She looks like you've never met her. She's very special. You did meet her. did, but I don't recall. I think it was only once, and I don't recall their difference in personality. So Edie is more of the forward, like the queen of the household out of the two. She is, she's the boss for the most part.

You know, it's more like Edie's a dog and Nico is a cat. Interesting. Yeah, I know what you mean. Yeah. And do they get along wonderfully because they're litter mates? Yeah, you know, they have like the sister relationship. sometimes they're licking each other's faces and sometimes they're hissing at each other. You just never know. Yeah, typical sisters. And when you're performing or like coming up with your acts, are they ever

watching it or part of the process? Like, do they get into your costumes? How do they kind of intersect with your craft? They do get into my costumes or you know, if you toss like a glove, they're like, this is my toy. So yeah, so I do you know, have to stop and then like get the glove. That does happen. But I wouldn't say they're

In fact, my advice, my tip at the end was gonna be like, don't be upset when your cat leaves the room when you're performing. that'll be perfect. Because sometimes, especially Nika, like she gets really annoyed if she's sleeping and you start making noise. Like she'll just be like, errr, and then like walk saunter out of the room. Yeah, she doesn't want you to start, it's her house and you're just living there. I know, how dare I try to rehearse my burlesque act.

Earn money to buy her food. Yeah, exactly. You're working for her. Do they have any other special like quirks about them or weird habits? She's actually right here because she knows we're talking about her. She's actually I was rhinestoning a skirt and she's just sitting on it right now. you were rhinestoning right now for a new act? Yeah. Do see her? I see her. Yes. She's so pretty. you're in your living room.

Gemma Smith (23:26.126)
Yeah. She's so pretty. She's so pretty. know. She's lighter than I remembered her for some reason. And Edie's darker. Okay. Now I remember. Edie's the darker one. But they have, look so similar. Their faces. It's kind of insane. Yeah. Thank goodness she's a little darker because at first you wouldn't, when they were under the bed, you wouldn't know who was who. I wouldn't now. I would love to know any daily routine.

or special rituals that you have with your cats. Yeah, so Edie sleeps on top of me. So she is the first thing I see and hear every morning. Like my morning Every night she sleeps on top of you? She does this funny thing. She gets into bed like right after dinner. And she's like, and then waits for us for like three hours. Wow.

Like, okay, I ate, ready for bed. don't, I sometimes I think that she's like getting, she's getting the place so that Nico doesn't get there. You know what mean? yeah. are weird like Territorial. Mm-hmm. And then Nico, it's, Nico's good at naps. We call them Nico naps. You know, if you're lucky enough to get a nap during the day. So she loves naps. She's really good at them. You just have to call her name and she will come and.

just like snuggle up and she puts her, her head on my chest. And then she looks up at you and kind of like coos like a baby. It's just, it's insane. That's so sweet and so calming. bet like feeling her like cooing purring like, that's like very good. for our mental, are good for our mental health. Absolutely. And our blood pressure. Yes. my gosh. I love it.

Except for when they get sick or something that our blood pressure goes through That's true. Absolutely. But it's worth it. It counteracts itself. I think so. Now because you have a lot of different acts and you have costumes and you're rhinestoning, a separate tip, I'm curious, is like what advice do you have for people who live in apartments, have cats, they're performers? How do you organize it all? You know, we're very lucky. We have a little storage.

Gemma Smith (25:48.942)
cage downstairs and that's where the burlesque stuff lives. that's so smart. Some apartment buildings do have that. In our basement we have a little area too that we can put things. Okay so you just go down there when you need to get things. Take my little key. I don't know what they think in the lobby that I come back with you know these like huge boas with rhinestones but who cares. And that's so smart because the cats won't like...

You know, if they see feathers and boas, they might swat at it, ruin it. So your costumes stay clean. I don't know if your cats would do that, but mine would. You know, my cats are, they're nine years old. Now they're kind of like, they've really, they're much more subdued. But when they were kittens, they absolutely would just be like ripping the hell out of these costumes. Yeah. There are middle-aged cats as well. They're in their prime. That's true.

And do your cats ever specifically influence any acts? Or is it just cats in general when it comes to kitten coven? Or are there any acts that are influenced by specific cats? I mean, I always just think about my cats when I'm being a cat in an act, right? Because they're the cats that I'm around all the time. So all of their little funny little quirks and moves.

that always comes into it. I'm also probably very influenced by the show Cats, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, because I saw it, you know, 12 times when I was seven years old. So I feel like that's always at the tip of my fingers in terms of performing as a cat. And that's, you know, for better or for worse. It got in my brain. I think it's for better. Clearly it imprinted on you. You were very young.

And you're thank you, Andrew Lee Rubber. Yeah, he somehow is responsible for Tabby Twitch and all the feline, the friskiest feline in Verlusk and all the cat acts that have come forth. Yes. So now we're at our showgirl cat recommendation portion of the podcast. Each guest will share a piece of advice or favorite tip for fellow performers and cat parents. So Tabby, what is your tip?

Gemma Smith (28:01.646)
Well, my tip was just, you know, don't be upset when your cat leaves the room in a huff. When you're rehearsing, they're just being a cat. Yes, cats are cats. can't be our devoted audience all the time. It's not personal and it's not a reflection on your brilliance. Yes, if you want to perform your piece, you could just, and it's cat inspired, you could email me and be in the cat beret.

And then so many people who love Kat seemed burlesque or as we call it, per-lesque will be your audience. Yes, precisely. Now for our listeners who are like, my gosh, I have to see Tabby Twitch. They can follow you at Tabby Twitch on Instagram, right? Perfect. Perfect. And you'll find out where Tabby is performing next.

where you might see Kitten Coven and how you can get tickets to Prime, usually the link in her bio. Exactly. Well, thank you so much. You're my dear friend for those who don't know, but I'm also really happy to get to learn more about you and your cats. I really appreciate you being here, Tabby. Gemma, thank you for having me. It was so much fun. And now, Nico's just staring at me, waiting for me to give her her mid-morning snack of chicken.

That's a nice routine. That's lovely. Well, we love you, Edie and Nico. And that's a wrap for this episode of Tales and Tassels. We love hearing from you, so feel free to send us an email at talesandtasselspod at gmail.com. Thank you for listening. And don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Also join our community on Instagram at Tales and Tassels Pod for more updates and behind the scenes fun. Until next time, take care, kitty cat.