Twisted Vaudeville Circus

‘The Birdcage’ is a burlesque show by Twisted Vaudeville Circus under the direction of Kelly Cook (Miss Modesty Envy, who ends her act bathing in a huge Martini glass). The performance was at the very comfortable Metcalfe Theatre, Empyrean Centre, Northbridge, for one night only Sunday 25^th November. The two hour show started at 8.00 pm.

Some may think that this kind of show has no place in a theatre review, but it is theatre and the cast are performing.

There were twelve female performers, an amusing and elegant drag queen, and a Master of Ceremonies. Perhaps you still think that burlesque is sordid, but how wrong can one be? The costumes – many hours in the making, often by the performers themselves – were lavish and stunning. The sets and props were opulent, the lighting and music exciting and vibrant.

The aerial circus acts left the crowd gasping as the pole dancer (in a bathing costume) put her body at 90 degrees to the pole. The girl on the ring, metres above the floor, again managed to stay suspended with little visible support. After a day weeding in the garden and feeling somewhat delicate, the flexibility of the contortionists’ limbs were even more admirable. A semi-nude girl (pasties and rotating tassels in place) ate fire and stroked her body with multiple burning rods. There was of course a display of light-hearted, humorous ‘tease’ followed by a magician, Ginger Rabbit, who performed a very unusual strip that ended with a metre long flame shooting from the front of her bikini bottoms!

Some of the novel cast names included Mixi Mitosis, Brandy Savage and Agatha Frisky, but the star of the evening was special guest, Miss Kelly Ann Doll, the 1st Runner up in the Miss Burlesque Australia competition and now a member of the Cirque du Soleil. The show was not offensive or sleazy, the performers were well trained and slick as they captured, then held, the audience’s attention.

There was almost a full house – at the bargain price of $35 a ticket – the predominately female audience cheered the acts on with enthusiasm. For an extra charge there were ‘free’ alcoholic drinks and quality nibbles, along with the preferential seating. All this work for a one night show. With comfortable surroundings, 2 hours of entertainment, talented performers, excellent teching and a good laugh - perhaps some of the other theatre shows need to pull their socks up.

I can see Walter Plinge writing already.

Socks are the most fun to remove in a burleque show as far as I know :)

So many ways to get rid of one piece of clothing!! :D

Glad to hear so many made it Gordon!

When I leave a theatre, I always ask myself how much I enjoyed the show. What was the ambience like? How much effort had gone into the production? How committed were the actors? What chemistry did they have together? Finally, how good was the communication with the audience?

This show was presented mainly by a set of young ladies who welcomed everone at the door, did their own lighting setup, all the teching and operated the bio box in turns between appearing on stage.

The costumes were amazing – yes, there were clothes, only four nipples in two hours, so it was not for the flasher-mack brigade – the performers’ solo performances were effectively as demanding, physically and mentally, as doing a monologue. The vibrancy and electricity in the audience was magnificent, it was like being at a footie cup final you could feel the enjoyment.

My wife, who regularly nods off in plays, thoroughly enjoyed the show too. Dare I be more than a little unfair and suggest that the plays that struggle to attract audiences are those that have folding / plastic chairs without arms, this venue has soft, high-backed reclining chairs.

On leaving a theatre, only about 10 percent of the shows that I see have me saying ‘Wow that was excellent – what talent.’ The public want this feeling every time.

Incidentally, a little like the old pantomime days, the cast mingled immediately at the end. I know this isn’t suitable for all productions, but it is the feeling that as an audience member the theatre cares for me and appreciates my attendance.