The Kings Cross we all once knew and loved (or dreaded) is gone – and that may not be such a bad thing. The public has long been crying out for a new era of venues that can cater to eclectic entertainment to revitalise this energy-dry city; Sydney has been long overdue for a makeover, and sadly enough we all know it. Well, ladies and gentlemen, look no further as your pleas have finally been answered by the va va voom of the Bamboozle Room.
Almost as if stepping back into the Hollywood glamour days of the 1920’s, the venue dazzled with its art deco interior, lavish staircase and incredible talent to match. ‘Talk & Tease’ was the show on the menu for the night; burlesque with a twist of comedy presented by the crude, yet hilarious Memphis Mae, a pocket rocket full of energy with numerous tricks up her sleeve. She bantered with the audience; she performed to a specially requested Nikki Webster’s ‘Strawberry Kisses’; she made out with my mother (right in front of my amused father). The gags and laughter were non-stop, and that was only the beginning.
First on stage was Rosie Rivette, a poster girl for defying age-old conventions and expectations regarding the out-dated role of the woman through her body language and costume. Her first act featured high glamour, reminiscent of a Great Gatsby shindig; she was sexy, seductive and rightfully owned the stage. In contrast, her second act saw her stripping from a girly 1950’s outfit to the empowering femme tune ‘Chick Habit’ and smashing cupcakes on her nipples and butt. Who are you calling a good little housewife?
Next up was the luscious curvy blonde bombshell Ziade Velvet Vain; she was old New York glamour reborn – Marilyn Monroe eat your heart out. Velvet and divine textures, slinky and silky splits on the floor. She was the hot chocolate fudge sundae that you salivated over, the dazzling diamond ring you had been dreaming of. She was every fantasy and more, all wrapped up in one sensually pleasing package, complete with exotic purple feather fans and maroon velvet gloves.
Scarlett Furi was captivating. First off, taking on the role of a traditional housewife; complete with hair rollers, washing gloves and a washing basket, she turned stereotypes on their heads (literally!), completing her first act with an impressive headstand on an ironing board. She was a domestic goddess with a naughty twist – who said chores had to be boring! Scarlett’s second act was the incredibly sexy finale to the show, designed to leave everyone hot and bothered. A mesmerising strip into a bathtub ended with her washing her body in champagne, leaving the entire audience gobsmacked, jaws open wide to the floor, silently asking ‘can we join, please’.
Talk & Tease can not be justified in words. Not only were the ladies incredibly talented in their performances and creativity, the show was diverse with comedic acts, props and surprises that kept the audience on their feet the entire night. From start to finish the show was visually mesmerising, bringing a sense of life and initiating the era of revivalism that Kings Cross is craving. We were lucky enough to catch up with Scarlett after the show for a quick chat;
How did the Bamboozle Room start?
That’s kind of a long story! But basically the lock out laws created a need for a new kind of earlier entertainment in Potts Point.
Do the girls provide their own outfits for the show?
Yes performers for Talk and Tease create their own outfits. It’s very typical for Burlesque girls to design and make their own costumes. I think many performers actually start out because of their love of costumes and vintage fashion.
What inspires you to come up with the concepts for each show?
The best ideas always come to me in a flash, out of the blue, so it’s hard to say what exactly inspires them. I’m often inspired by individual performers, and I tend to shape show ideas around the unique talent and appeal of a performer or dancer that I’m working with. As the Producer and Director I think it’s my job to create shows that make the most of the performers that are in them.
How do you prepare for a performance?
Rehearsals!
Cast
Ziade Velvet Vain @ziade_velvetvain
Rosie Rivette @missrosierivette
Memphis Mae @memphismaehem
Scarlett Furi @miss_furi
Stay updated with future Bamboozle Room shows at bamboozleroom.com
SPECIAL OFFER for Subvrt readers until the end of June 2017, receive 10% discount on any Bamboozle Room show (either show by itself, or show & dinner), using the code SUBVRT when checking out!
Review by Sara Nicolette, photography by Lucy Alcorn.
