If you missed the weekend that just passed and didn’t get a chance to see Vanguard Burlesque as part of the Wonderland Festival at the Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse, you’ll have to keep an eye out for the next Vanguard Burlesque show and mark your calendars! Vanguard Burlesque had a short but sweet run at the Brisbane Powerhouse from the 21st - 23rd November. On the Friday night I viewed the show, I have to say that I absolutely relished in the commentary, banter and risque humour supplied by the host Vollie LaVont!
There was heaps to see on this Wonderland Festival burlesque special that included Maple Rose, Ruby Slippers, Betty Lovecat, Dolly Cakes, The Tiny Temptress, Rielle La’Vish, Kryptonite, Citrine Velvetine, and Vanguard Producer and Co-Creator Lillian Lace. As a regular burlesque go-er it’s always refreshing to see new acts and this was the case with performer Rielle La’Vish and her ‘bubble’ act that was soft and delicate in comparison to her wild cat themed performance in The Vaudeville Consortium’s Grande Burlesque Gala.
Citrine Velvetine started off with an ‘island girl’ act and came back with a second act that featured Velvetine ‘manning’ a hotdog stand and at one point posing in lingerie attempting to make a home run. I found this act to be rather entertaining, and I liked that Velvetine, after a few lousy attempts with her bat, made a great final hit to score the ‘home run’. There was also the well loved Betty Lovecat and her intergalactic act that results in her being the runner-up in a beauty pageant. This act featured excellent use of props that glowed in the dark! Maple Rose started off the show lip synching to a Christina Aguilera tune from the Burlesque (2010) film and finished the show off with a display of classic Burlesque.
The night also featured boylesque performer Kryptonite who was comfortable pushing the boundaries and dressing up as a royal in sparkly pink stilettos. Later on in the show, he came back with a Zoolander themed performance that featured the track ‘Relax’. Kryptonie was confident and powerful on stage, with truly creative and unique acts. You can learn more about this performer by following the instagram handle ‘kryptonite1988’.
Lillian Lace had a fairy-like delicacy to the start of her performance and began her act by pulling flowers from her dress to reveal the skin beneath. This act had a turning point, however, that ended with large red wings on Lace’s back and a very different looking outfit to the start of the show. The transition between these two halves of the performance was fascinating to watch. Ruby Slippers kicked it up with an outfit that featured long streamers that came out of her head and pulled off some interesting moves within her act. She also made for some comical moments by blowing streamers in time to the music, out of her nose!
The night was filled with fun and there was something there for everyone to enjoy. You’ll have to keep updated with future Vanguard Burlesque shows if you’re intrigued and want to see these performers up close and personal, but you can do that by following their facebook page: @VanguardBurlesque. If you’re interested in a show that features the whacky and the wonderful you’ll need to secure tickets the next time a performance comes up to ensure you do not miss out!
21 - 23 November 2019
Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse, Wonderland Festival 2019
Vanguard Burlesque Event: https://brisbanepowerhouse.org/whats-on/event/vanguard-burlesque/
Wonderland Festival 2019: https://brisbanepowerhouse.org/whats-on/festival/wonderland-festival-2019/
Joanna Letic