Theatre Review | Burlesque

Burlesque

Tutti Fruiti

Something Wicked

Tickle & Tease

The Bunker

Fools Paradise

Entertainment Quarter

Review by Ron Lee, CSP

If too much Burlesque is not enough for you, get yourself to The Bunker at Sydney's Entertainment Quarter where I saw three shows on the same night. 

Tutti Fruitti mixes drag, cabaret and circus in a show that’s performed by artists with disabilities. It was the only time I'd seen a burlesque performer in a wheelchair. Apparently there are six such acts in the world. Temerity Outré has been performing for a relatively short time. Following your passion is everything, and most people never find it. Her husband Mark is her roadie, photographer and general manager. He doesn’t perform himself, but he can lift heavy things. MC Karda is a drag who is adept at warming up an audience and has an excellent singing voice and an impressive wig.

In Something Wicked, witches display their supernatural powers and almost superhuman circus skills with influence from the occult. Miss Eli Fury does amazing stunts with fire and performs some of them while sitting on an audience member’s lap. These days, permission always needs to be given. In a striking blue costume, Gemima Jones performs on the aerial hoop. She not only possesses extraordinary circus skills, she creates moments that look like human sculptures. In form and moving how express and admirable.

Then there’s Bella Babydoll who enters wearing a bridal costume and carrying a large knife. She’s like a young, psychopathic Baby Jane.

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Natalya Alessi has won awards for her burlesque performances, and deservedly so. After all, who wouldn’t like an attractive, statuesque artiste who can crack two whips at a time?

She also looks to have trained in classical ballet.

Tickle & Tease takes it even further. The bit with three real angle grinders is interesting. Mama Medusa, a woman of substantial proportions, is surprisingly agile and flexible. For someone who is bigger than most male Rugby players, her skills are sublime.

There were gasps when she dropped that frame into the splits.

American Gypsy Rose Lee put burlesque on the map early last century and subsequent performers have expanded their range to include circus skills and magic. In Australia, burlesque is more underground than mainstream and it deserves greater acknowledgement as a performance art. 

If you haven’t experienced burlesque, and even if you have, get along to the Entertainment Quarter to discover it or reacquaint yourself with this unique art form.