Review: FEAST FESTIVAL 2015: QUEERLESQUE Takes A Different Look At Sexuality

Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Friday 27th November 2015

Adelaide Burlesque entertainer, Miss Pinup South Australia 2015, and Miss Picture Perfect 2015, Ivy Fox, and her co-producer, Lissie LaRue, who also acted as stage manager, assembled a group of local and interstate LGBTIQ identifying performers for Queerlesque. The production was jointly presented by Ivy Fox, Full Bodied Burlesque and the Feast Festival.

The evening was compèred by Adelaide comedian, Patrick McCaffrie, who warmed up the audience with a short stand-up set then kept things moving along, filling in between the acts, as well as adding extra, often risqué humour to the performance.

First up was Burlesque Idol Australia 2015, Vivienne Von Coffin, assisted by Saskia Demure, demonstrating her religious revelations, with the aid of a fan-dance. Her act was a combination of elegance and a tongue firmly in cheek.

Mr Boylesque South Australia, Jolie Mystique, entered the stage to the sound of a thunderstorm, walking in the rain. This was a darker piece than the first with a strong interpretation.

Bam Bam, from Melbourne, followed her, introduced as coming from the feminist punk underground. Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman had the audience clapping in time to her powerful performance, with its hovering sexual orientation. This was a no holds barred striptease.

There was a brief intermission and then we were back, with McCaffrie on stage for another short set to get the show rolling again.

Ivy Fox kicked off the second round of performances. She offered a send-up of all of the stupid questions and comments that members of the LGBTIQ encounter on a far too regular basis. Not surprisingly, this went down a treat with the audience with screams of delight at the performance added to the laughing at the commentary.

Lyla Dash then questioned what is meant by bisexuality in a somewhat quirky dance routine. She explains that it doesn't mean just one, simple, easily defined sexuality, but a band of related possibilities. Nods of recognition were noticeable around the room.

Closing off the evening was Miss Pinup Doll 2014, Cherry Button, from Sydney. A trained dancer, balletic elements and considerable grace infused her "neo-Burlesque" performance about finding a style to match ones sexuality. I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It backed the start of her piece, but changes to a darker aspect were rapid. Once again the audience, as with the other five performers, was highly enthusiastic.

Taken as a whole, the events explored a wide range of topics in a very personal way, each of the performers contributing pieces to the puzzle and showing how complex the issue of sexuality can be. Vive la difference!

To post a comment, you must register and login.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!