It's geek chic on the razor's edge when the Curves & Claws Variety And Burlesque Show present their smart and sexy Nerdlesque Special at New Globe Theatre this weekend in Brisbane.
Curves & Claws is an independent, Brisbane-based entertainment company run by founding producer/ owner and burlesque performer Miss Kitty Obsidian, with shows every three months. Kitty says the Nerdlesque Special is a celebration of everything great and geeky, naughty and nerdy; from playful Pokemon, to raunchy role-playing and every kink in between.
The show will also mark Curves & Claws second anniversary as well as Kitty's own birthday, so why not make it a party? “I personally am a giant geek,” Kitty says.
“This Nerdlesque show is actually a couple days after my birthday and this is a really big year for me. I'm turning 25, this is my second year running Curves & Claws and I never thought I'd make it this far, so I'm really excited.
“It's our two-year anniversary, it's my birthday and what do I love more than anything else? I love nerd stuff and I'm a geek, so I created an entire show about my love of nerd.”
Nerdlesque puts a sexy spin on the world of geek and pop culture, with performances from artists who embrace their true self and bring new meaning to the word 'nerdgasm'. “There are so many people that love geek and pop culture and are really into it, and so they create these acts to showcase their love and show their love to the audience,” Kitty says.
“We've got Petra Dish and Clara Cupcakes, so two interstate performers, and everyone is so excited that we've got trading cards of our performers as their characters, which have been done by a local artist. They're all numbered 1-100 and are all limited edition.”
As a performer, Kitty actually comes from a martial arts background rather than dance and takes her stage name from an unlikely foible. “Hilariously, I purr in my sleep like a cat. I totally do,” she explains.
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“I didn't believe it for years but I've had my partner tell me, I've had an ex of mine tell me and friends of mine recorded me and yep, full-on purring in my sleep. So Kitty is my nickname and it's become who I am at the core.
“Obsidian is because my birth surname is Black. I chose Obsidian because it's a semi-precious black stone and was often used in South American ancient times to creates blades and knives, and I thought that was the best way to describe who I am: very pretty, willing to cut.”
As burlesque and cabaret-style performance experiences a modern resurgence and audiences are spoiled for choice when it comes to shows, Kitty believes Curves & Claws is a unique gem that stands out from the current pack. “What we do that I don't see any other show in Brisbane – and particularly in Queensland – doing is that with our variety we mean it,” she says.
Scarlet Tinkabelle - one of the performers at Nerdlesque
“I've had everything on my stage; I've had shibari – which is a Japanese rope bondage performance art – fire, circus, boyleqsue.
“I've had some amazing performers on my stage that are trans and gender-fluid; it is such a melting pot of everything underground and dark and gritty. Mix that in with some serious comedy and it's always different; you're never going to get the same thing and that's what sets us apart.”
Curves & Claws Burlesque And Variety Show presents their 'Nerdlesque Special' at New Globe Theatre (Brisbane) 26 May.
