Twirling nipple tassels and glittering diamante jewellery may be de rigeur in the gloriously extravagant world of burlesque theatre. But the props are new to an actress from West Hendon who is performing a lead role in the first burlesque show to make it to the West End in 150 years.

Less sleazy than traditional striptease, and more old-fashioned than the Page Three glamour girl, Immodesty Blaize and Walter's Burlesque is complete with the requisite bows, feathers, camisole knickers and tassels you would expect as well as an entrance on a swing.

"It's fabulous, it's something different and a big step into the real kind of glamour that we have lost," said Rebecca Grant, who lives in Mount Road. "It's a cross between cabaret, silent movies and Moulin Rouge."

The 23-year-old actor-singer-dancer who is distantly related to the Royal family and whose sister Rachel was a Bond girl is new to burlesque, but enjoyed throwing herself into her part.

"My character is called Magic Wanda, and I do a couple of card tricks and then make a scarf disappear and then reveal it from my cleavage. It's a specialised character and I enjoyed coming up with the tricks and dance routine. And I get to come in, lowered down on a swing, which is great."

Burlesque, which originate in the 1600s, is a style of show now famous for its satirical and larger-than-life take on society which points out life's absurdities. It is traditionally risque, but the stripping is supposed to be artistic rather than purely titillating it's a rule that a nipple will always be covered, if only by a tassel.

"Some are saying it is not risque enough, some say it is too risque, but I think it's perfect," said Miss Grant. "It's outrageous. We can't be shocked any more by anything. You would be too pedantic a person if you were shocked by something like this. Our society is all over stuff like this. We have elderly people coming to see it an Italian man, who must have been in his 80s, loved it and said things like tell the girls they looked lovely'."

The two main characters, Immodesty Blaize and Walter, usually have their own burlesque show, and the performers Lady Gray Tease have also joined up to bring this new performance to life as the genre begins making its way into theatres from nightclub stages.

"Both Walter and Immodesty strip slowly and can do things with their tassels, but it's very funny, it's ridiculous, and it sends up all sorts of things," said Miss Grant.

"It is titillating, but it's also entertaining. You have got to start looking at the absurdities of this world. What gets me through if I'm feeling nervous is Oh my god, life is so absurd' and then I go on stage and have fun."

Immodesty Blaize and Walter's Burlesque is on at the Arts Theatre, in Great Newport Street, Leicester Square, until June 18.