'Dirty Fame Flash Candles Club' is less a conventional stage show and more an invitation to join the club: a glittering, neon-soaked ticket back to the 1980s, wrapped up in cabaret comedy, dance, and communal joy.
At its heart, 'Dirty Fame Flash Candles Club' is built around four everyday women from South-East Queensland navigating the strange emotional terrain of middle age: juggling family, careers, friendships and that sometimes-elusive sense of self. The concept is simple: they find refuge in each other, and in the fictional Dirty Fame Flash Candles Club, a place where '80s movie climaxes and big soundtracks are treated as tools for catharsis and connection.
From the moment the lights come up, the production establishes a vibrant, playful tone. The stage design and lighting pulse with neon colours and nostalgic cues that feel like stepping into a time capsule: think shoulder pads, iridescent makeup, and crimped hairstyles so authentic they might have been transported straight from an ’80s blockbuster. What could easily have felt gimmicky instead feels lovingly curated, an affectionate homage to the era.
The narrative unfolds with light, fizzy energy. Musical cues and dance routines abound – think 'Footloose', 'Flashdance' and 'Dirty Dancing' – and each one got the audience to its feet. Even for those who didn’t grow up with these films, the infectious enthusiasm of the performers and the universality of the themes make the references land. A sing-along here, an animated routine there, and the audience is drawn in.
Performance-wise, the cast delivers with both comic precision and infectious warmth. There’s an easy chemistry among them that helps bridge the gap between performers and audience. Many moments feel almost spontaneous: quick quips, knowing glances, and genuine reactions that keep the pace brisk and the laughs coming.
Image © Katie Bennett, Embellysh Photography
One of the show’s strengths is how it uses audience interaction without ever making it uncomfortable. It’s not a production that sits at a distance; instead, it (literally) invites you into the club. Whether it’s a playful quiz on '80s trivia or a collective dance routine, the show breaks down the fourth wall in ways that feel inclusive rather than distracting from the performance. It’s clear this production thrives in a shared space of joy, laughter, recognition and just a little bit of cheeky irreverence.
Critically, the show has resonated with both audiences and industry alike. It has earned multiple Matilda Awards including Best Musical/Cabaret and Best Ensemble and it’s easy to see why. There’s a genuine warmth in its portrayal of friendship, identity and cultural belonging that goes beyond nostalgia. It doesn’t just want you to remember the '80s, it wants you to feel why those images, songs and stories mattered then, and how they continue to matter now.
Of course, 'Dirty Fame Flash Candles Club' isn’t for everyone. Its loose, almost improvisational feel isn’t built for traditional theatre-goers. Some references land better than others, and there are moments when the whimsical energy could have used a sharper dramatic contrast. But these are minor quibbles in what remains a refreshingly original piece of Australian theatre.
'Dirty Fame Flash Candles Club' stands out as something personal, playful and human. It’s a celebration of friendship, an ode to shared cultural memory, and, perhaps most importantly, a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful experiences are the ones we share together under neon lights and to the beat of an '80s anthem.
