Adelaide Fringe 2011
Strip The Light Fantastic
Imogen Kelly
Venue:
Arcade Lane - Regent Two
Between Regent & Adelaide Arcade Grenfell St Adelaide
Festival: Adelaide Fringe
Low Down
A new time for Adelaide as Imogen Kelly sweeps into town in this burlesque show ready to rival the Adelaide burlesque scene.
Sometimes, when a city only sees one version of something they become accustomed to that particular style so when the cast of Strip The Light Fantastic appeared, it is natural Adelaide didn’t know what they were in for. Don’t assume this is burlesque as you know it!
Review
Strip The Light Fantastic is a four-woman show that blends the variety night set-up with the theatrical storyline premise and delivers a burlesque style that promotes female bodies and identities and has you laughing most of the way. It was not about the strip but had everything to do with the tease as it poked fun at international news stories like Princess Diana’s crash and a Miss America contestant bumbling up her question time answer!
Annabelle Lines, Holly Ja Doll, Gypsy Wood and Imogen (an all-star cast of Neo-burlesque performers) deliver a whip-smart, sassy show that blends a number of solo routines and group ‘dance’ pieces inspired by 1980′s dance phenomenon The Solid Gold Dancers. And yes, they save the best for last!
What was very entertaining was how each piece acted like a mini show that could stand-alone; something that is lacking here in Adelaide. In particular, the contemporary dance piece and the ‘wedding dress’ acts were very clever, well choreographed and the comic disasters that unfolded within each were extremely amusing!
Despite the few costume malfunctions and lights being kicked about, these girls continued on like the professionals they are. It is clear why Imogen carries the title of the Queen of Burlesque!
Set in one of the old Regent cinemas, the cast made good use of the space. Scene changes were dealt with quickly and there was an excellent animated video clip that has the audience in stitches. I’d love to see Imogen return next year in a more fitting space.
Overall, the show is a breath of fresh air to some of the newer and more naïve burlesque nights currently on the scene.
Show Website
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Strip-The-Light-Fantastic
