Christina Rosenberg (aka Lola LaBelle) and Sarina del Fuego are two ladies committed to zapping some soul back into modern entertainment.
They are the powerhouses behind Burlesque Idol, a cabaret-style show that delivers a “high-energy and deliciously entertaining evening, jam packed with talent, humour and audience participation”.
In modern society, we're so used to staring at screens for entertainment. We stare at our phones on public transport, our TVs and computers at home and sometimes, for a special night out, we'll go and stare at a giant screen with a bunch of people we barely interact with. According to Lola, burlesque high kicks right through these isolation-inducing screens with performers who want to not just entertain you but engage with you.
Burlesque fuses all the best parts of live entertainment in a unique, fun environment. You're treated to costumes on the level of a broadway show, live music, clowning, dancing, hula hooping and acrobatic skills but, most importantly, you get to break down that fourth wall and engage with each other. It's supportive, connected, humorous and Lola's voice is full of passion when she declares that “when it's done well, there's just no comparison”.
Lila LuxxSo what's at the heart of burlesque? “It's all about creating a really celebratory, supportive environment for exploring sensuality; that's something society really doesn't offer freely anywhere else,” Lola says.
And don't think that empowerment is just for the ladies. The girls are adamantly against gender bias of any kind and are all about genuine equality. Burlesque Idol happily accepts applications from males and Lola and Sarina are both avid fans of what they affectionately term “boylesque”.
It's not just gender that goes without restriction in burlesque, it's pretty much everything. “Burlesque is about magnifying the most fabulous part of yourself, it’s not about pretending to be something you are not.”
The girls place no rules or restrictions on the participants in their show, instead valuing freedom of expression. As Lola says, there's nothing better than “when you can tell a performer is incorporating their own passions, their own speciality skills, what they find funny, what they find empowering”.
For Sarina, the wow factor comes when you can really see the heart that lies behind what they're doing and they're so involved in their routine they captivate and connect with the audience.
BB Le BuffBeing so open with the audience and with such complicated and extravagant costumes and routines, it would be impossible to pull things off perfectly every time. When asked to think of an embarrassing moment on stage the girls were a bit stumped. They're so used to taking the unexpected in stride it's hard to find an incident that stands out anymore (although they did hint that maybe they just don't want to admit them!). Both agreed the combination of scanty stick-on costumes, high-energy performances and sweaty, summer heat have resulted in countless awkward situations on stage.
But Sarina insists that wardrobe malfunctions aside: “if you've got the confidence and you balance it with having fun, you just exude sexiness”. Advice well suited not just for burlesque but for everyday life.
On top of the gloriously extravagant, feather and glitter filled show, audience members are also treated to a best-dressed competition, raffle, burlesque themed prizes and the opportunity to vote for their favourite act; so if you're up for escaping the spiritless screens of technology for a bit of sexy, soulful fun, Burlesque Idol may just be the ticket.
Burlesque Idol Tour Dates
Thu 19 March – The Mediterranean (Sydney)Sat 21 March – 24 Moons (Melbourne)
Thu 26 March – New Globe Theatre (Brisbane)
Fri 27 March – Nexus Cabaret (Adelaide)
Sat 28 March – The Abbey (Canberra)
