Warm and intimate, rowdy and carefree, Burlesque Idol was a rollicking ball of fun from start to finish.
As the name suggests, the show (at the New Globe Theatre, 26 March) was fashioned after the 'Australian Idol' structure, but instead of being filled with advertising, empty pop songs and fake emotions (can you tell I’m not a fan of Idol?) the night was bursting with laughs, sexiness, talent, personality and a genuine connection between the performers and the audience.
Guiding us through the affair was Mikey, our cheesy but genuinely funny host, who informed us that in burlesque “the clothes are all voice activated”. He willingly obliged with a bit of a strip tease when the crowd experimented with the idea and gave him a boisterous cheer.
Mikey set the tone for a light-hearted night of fun and sensual frivolity in which old-world charm was variously mixed with the new styles and tastes of the performers involved. As our judges for the night informed us, burlesque is all about taking your personality, magnifying it, playing with it and sharing it with the audience. We saw punk, metal and hip hop all cleverly woven in with the feather fans, glitter, nipple tassels and elaborate costumes you normally associate with burlesque.
In Idol style, the audience cast their votes to determine who the winner would be. But, unlike Idol, the judges all took to the stage to show us just why they were qualified to sit there passing judgement. Wow, is about all I can say. I’d been impressed with the performances of the contestants but these ladies were something else.
We were treated to sexy, pouty, perfectly executed fun with Lila Luxx; mad, hooping skills from BB le Buff; showgirl style with a glitter surprise from Sarina del Fuego; and a dramatic piece reminiscent of 'Black Swan' from Lola LaBelle.
The performers and judges all mingled with the audience between acts and we found out there are actually quite a few options available to learn burlesque in Brisbane. While the girls were thoroughly inspiring, I’m not sure if I’m ready yet for burlesque classes or bearing all on stage.
And there is no way you will ever talk me into getting close to the hell-spawn that is glitter. But I might just pick up some nipple tassels and feather fans for home!
