Ottoman History Podcast

A British Burlesque Artist in Belle Époque Cairo

Jan 9, 2026
In this captivating discussion, historian Gwendolyn Collaço shares her serendipitous discovery of a postcard collection belonging to British burlesque artist Miss Kitty Lord. She uncovers details about Kitty's flamboyant life in early 20th-century Cairo, highlighted by romantic correspondences with a local architect. Andras Riedlmayer provides insights on archival context, while memorabilia expert Paul Drummond recounts the fascinating provenance of the postcards. Together, they explore themes of theatricality, cultural exchanges, and the vibrant society of Belle Époque Cairo.
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ANECDOTE

Chance Discovery In Cecil Court

  • Gwendolyn Collaço found a hidden box of Cairo postcards in a London ephemera shop and noticed many were addressed to the same person, Miss Kitty Lord.
  • She bought a few, showed them to András Riedlmayer, and that led to acquiring the full set for Harvard's library.
INSIGHT

Self-Styled Stage Persona

  • Kitty Lord cultivated a self-styled burlesque persona with distinctive props like a 'widow stick' and risqué pseudo-historic costumes.
  • Her promotional studio portraits functioned as mobile advertisements that extended her act's reach.
INSIGHT

Postcards Map Cairo's Theater Quarter

  • Most postcards date from 1908–1912 and show Kitty living in Esbekia, Cairo's theater district near venues like Théâtre des Nouveautés.
  • The cards reveal diverse, cosmopolitan audiences and how performers lived near the halls they worked in.
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