burlesque

No-rules, Adults-only Circus-cabaret Returns To Brisbane For A Headline Season

Feature-Late Night Vice

Direct from sold-out seasons in Melbourne and Sydney, Strut and Fret, the masterminds behind Blanc de Blanc Encore are bringing Late Night Vice back to The West End Electric, featuring new cast! Audiences who attended the show’s sold-out Brisbane Festival debut were warned Late Night Vice has a much sharper bite than previous Strut & Fret productions and embraced the hilariously risqué show with open arms and minds.

The show’s success means it will this time return as a stand-alone headline show outside of festival season, with a line-up of world class cabaret, burlesque and circus talent from the USA and Australia.

Straight from a Vegas residency as the opening act for Kylie Minogue and Christina Aguilera, Jake DuPree (RuPaul’s Drag Race) stars alongside Spencer Novich (Cirque du Soleil’s KA, FX’s American Horror Story); leading vocalist Em Mylott (Les Misérables, We Will Rock You); Melanie Hawkins (Saturday Night Fever, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom musical); Brett Rosengreen (The Voice, X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent) and Brisbane’s seductive cirque performer Katrina Louise, who has toured across five continents.

VICE Images by Carl Finocchiaro_CD_3462.jpg
VICE Images by Carl Finocchiaro_2178.JPG

“Brisbane is my home town and I’m so excited for this to come back to West End. I’ve performed in 18+ entertainment around the world, and I think we’ve needed a show like this for a long time. It’s wild, it’s fun and it’s absolutely filthy,” says flame wielding hair-aerialist cast member Katrina Louise.

Described by the creators as a ‘cocktail-drenched fever dream where cabaret collides with chaos’, Late Night Vice opens on 19 March.

The scandalous content of this sell-out show has remained under wraps with no cameras, no phones and no reviews allowed. The X-Rated experience is strictly Adults Only 18+ with a valid ID.

Dress to impress in black tie or all black and enter a world of mystery, mischief, and midnight glamour. Late Night Vice is set to become Brisbane’s bold after-hours escape once again, showing off the river city’s glimmering wild side.

Expect shadowy glamour, whispered secrets and a rogue’s gallery of theatrical renegades in an electric feast captured by your eyes only!

CONTENT WARNING: The show contains nudity, profanity, strobe effects, pyrotechnics. Explosions of feathers, confetti—and quite possibly your mind.

WHERE: The West End Electric, 125 Boundary St, West End (Brisbane)
WHEN: 19 March – 19 April; Thursday to Saturday 9:45pm | Sunday: 8:00pm
TICKETS: $69.00 (ticket types General, Premium, Moët & Chandon Tables); https://latenightviceshow.com/brisbane/

 

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VOGUE: Humor, Glamour, And Edge To The Forefront!

Viva - Vogue

Viva – Vogue Rating

★★★★★

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VOGUE is one of two shows on currently at VIVA Melbourne – above one of the most popular performing arts training centres in the country; Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, but the show employs artists from near and far. Every singer and dancer is a top level representation of hard working talent.

Advertised aptly; ‘Riches come to life and cabaret re-invented!’

I can agree with that. VOGUE is a variety cabaret show unlike any other I have seen, excepting maybe in Las Vegas, and their venue gives a ‘Vegas’ feel as soon as you enter the luxury upstairs. Seating is semi-circled booths and tables. Glamorous dancers in heels will be showing you to your seats and handing you the menu – you can order / eat / drink right here. We are one level up with the best view, but there are tables right on the stage edge …. more about that choice next if you’re game.

A bartender walks on stage and awkwardly introduces himself – he explains he will open the show whilst the real host has been delayed…. Hmmmm… he seems very good at hosting jokes and noteworthy comedic ability is well received by interaction from the audience members he engages with unsuspectingly. If you want to take a punt and sit down front, WARNING: risk to become part of the show LOL 🙂

The digital backdrops in this place are fantastic! I absolutely LOVED the luminous magazine covers for the feature item of VOGUE; each cover-girl positioned spot on and in the dark to suddenly shine brightly under a spotlight of photographers and paparazzi, but Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ is not the only smash hit you’ll be looking at.

 

Viva - Vogue
Viva - Vogue
Viva - Vogue

 

We are taken from song to song, country to country and movie to movie. We enjoy flashbacks of stars from the silent screen to more randomly selected audience members getting their chance for a moment in ‘Cats’ and ‘Grease’ – their partners still in their seats needing no encouragement to get phones up and have those videos shaking with laughter!

The Spice Girls were spot on and perfectly costumed; Baby Spice took me back in time in her high boots and pigtails (she was always my favourite). Scary in her signature leopard print, Sporty in her athletic wear (now there’s a chance for sponsorship), Ginger strutting out in the Union Jack and Posh engrossing in a black jumpsuit I would’ve died for in my youth!

Get ready for some ‘tiny’ costumes too – you need to be comfortable with that when watching this show (VOGUE) and Viva’s later night show (VICIOUS) gets even more raunchy we are told.

A highlight is the aerial acrobatics on the huge hoop that appears from nowhere out of a circle above us, not once but many times throughout the evening and each time showing off completely different tricks to the last, all incredible with graceful extensions and some interesting poses – especially when our host dangles himself down (you’ll have to go see to find out what that means…..).

Impossible to list everything this neo-burlesque show offers. You will be witnessing an explosive feast of entertainment including a James Bonds meets Charlies Angels, an ELVIS in Viva Las Vegas like none I have seen before, a rendition of Dirty Dancing that is totally Uproarious, a Spiderman in all his glory, the squealing high kicks of the Can-Can in Paris, the cirque silks of Egypt and the Brazilian Samba moving into Spain, plus MORE, ending in an all-laughs Australian Finale with thongs of all sorts.

My No. 1: I’d have to give it to the side-splitting ‘Bee Gees’ take off

Thank-you VIVA team – this show can only expand in popularity as it becomes more well-known… watch this space 🙂

VOGUE: humor, glamour, and edge to the forefront!

Ticket and info link: https://vivamelbourne.com.au/

I recommend this show for anyone over 18 who has a sense of adventure into the unknown and for Melbourne tourists too interested in seeing our fabulous home grown artists. There are not many shows close to our city for a reasonable price where you can also enjoy good food and drinks whilst watching. Note: We particularly loved the fries, arancinis and the themed cocktails.

VIVA Melbourne’s all-round inclusive show-food-drinks concept is impressive!

Ps. the bathrooms are out of this world – nowhere, anywhere has bathrooms like this, so if you don’t have time to do your make-up at home just bring it with you!

To book tickets to Viva – Vogue, please visit https://vivamelbourne.com.au/events/.

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Pokélesque: The Uproarious Drag And Burlesque Parody Play

Pokélesque

Pokélesque Rating

★★★★★

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One would not be out of place saying, WTF Rosie Roulette, writer and director of Pokélesque, performing 24-28 Feb 2026 at Ackland Street Theatre. What goes on in that fierce silly nerd head of yours?

Pokélesque tells the tale of a young trainer, wanting to be the best, beginning their pocket mon journey. Lucy May Knight’s star shines brightly as the young trainer. Their quick wit and improv reactions are hilariously fun. Adam White is equally matched as the Rival. There was no censoring of the rival’s name volunteered by the audience unlike the game. This was the beginning stages of the shocks and excitement ahead. Various stages of undress mean this is not a kid’s show.

We are cleverly welcomed, with the audience lights on, to three pink eared acapella singers, with words slightly changed for the Pocket monster theme, as people take their seats. As the lights dim and the story starts, we are taken on a weird psychedelic trip. The Professor, Darin Casler, cleverly comforts us for the road ahead. That road included fight scenes where we the audience clapped along and roared laughing.

 

Pokélesque
Pokélesque
Pokélesque

 

There was MX Lucy Furr, whose stunning performance as Lickitung in hot pink tongue boa and pink sequined cap which made them a vagina in certain poses and strip teasing pocket mon. Rosie Roulette dazzled us with her beautiful version of “Never Enough”, what an exceptionally multi-talented weirdo. Sy Quinn’s performance in multiple roles with strange unrecognisable accents and many hat changes brought well deserved cheers and whoops from the audience every time they came on stage and played up directly with the audience.

Driving and begging for reactions seamlessly within the storyline. Rasputtin as Mr. Mime was a highlight. Their mimed strip tease was comically sensual and had audience members catching and returning their imaginary clothes with glee. The fabulous dancing Theresa Problem and Izzy Inyette play the villainous team Red Rockets. Were there a couple of sound issues and a troublesome microphone on opening night? Sure, but this talented crew added it to the interaction with us the audience. Improv and a non-existent fourth wall included us at every turn of this parody style play.

This all-inclusive, minus kids, show really is one for the pocket monster fans with many hidden and some not so hidden Pokemon puns. However, no prior knowledge is needed. Get along to the mischievous, totally camp, frivolous Pokélesque. Presented by GEEK OUT Nerdlesque. You will have a great time.

To book tickets to Pokélesque, please visit https://www.theatreworks.org.au/2026/pokelesque.

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Viva Vicious

Viva - Vicious

Viva – Vicious Rating

★★★★★

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VIVA Vicious by VIVA Melbourne is the adults-only experience you need to book for your next date night.

Secretly housed in a beautiful Cabaret room at the top of a warehouse at 64 Sutton Street, North Melbourne, VIVA Vicious and its troupe of amazing singers, dancers and, acrobats, creatively and tastefully capture “The art of suggestion” or, “The art of almost.”

While Marketing ‘Mandate’ Male Revue on King Street in the 90’s, I was safe to visit friends in the adult clubs next door. I noticed the gentlemen who came to see the female strippers were much more well-behaved than the Hen’s night ladies who came to see the males. It was a fun and bawdy time, and absolutely everything was on show.

This is not that.

Viva is the kind of nightclub show couples enjoyed in the 1950’s – dinner, drinks, dancing and, a floor show – only more naughty for the naughties.

Professionally and stylishly choreographed by Karlee Porritt, with a beautifully lit stage and interesting projections, Viva Vicious is both suggestive and sensational.

The show includes aerial acrobatics, popular music, beautiful costumes and humorous skits – males dressed as Nurses and French maids – dappling in virtual reality.

True to the mid-1800’s Burlesque shows, the VIVA men were often the comic relief between the provocative female performers. In this show, they also dance, play the saxophone and, assist in the aerial acrobatics.

Just like with ‘Moulin Rouge’ or ‘Crazy Horse’ in Paris, every performer is extremely fit and stunningly beautiful. Crazy Horse boasts of their show, “an ode to feminine beauty, combining eroticism and sophistication.” Viva in Melbourne certainly lives up to this boast.

 

Viva - Vicious
Viva - Vicious
Viva - Vicious

The female body is a beautiful thing.

While enjoying VIVA Vicious, I remembered an old life-drawing teacher once told me, “What’s suggested is often more attractive than what is obvious.”

Unlike Moulin Rouge, where you’re practically sitting on the lap of the person next to you, the Viva Cabaret room is plush and comfortable. Couples and friends are seated in pairs at club tables on different levels, so every view is intimate, stimulating and, energetic. Even the opulent rest-rooms were exquisite!

Each Cabaret table is big enough to place two side plates and two sumptuous cocktails the Viva wait staff bring to you shortly after you’ve ordered. We tried the Chicken Karaage and the Salmon Sashimi. Both were visually pleasing, fresh and delicious.

The first performer on stage set the scene in a long sequined evening dress singing a Whitney Houston ballad, with precision. Now we find we’re in for Cabaret and, Burlesque.

She was followed by a Britney Spears number with many dancers in full-body tiger print outfits, topless.

A songstress mixes things up, singing a 50’s number sporting her Marilyn Monroe style dress.

There’s a Western number backed by the classic Ennio Morricone soundtrack, and plenty of ‘Honey Birdette’ designed lingerie.

Michael Jackson’s ‘Dirty Diana’ and Annie Lennox’s Sweet dreams perfectly back a sensual bed scene.

Things are spicy but never confronting.

Throughout, there were a few aerial acrobat spots, one with a spiral from the ceiling, another with silks, always with such skill. Loved the sexy Medusa track.

During a most enjoyable two-hour show, there are two Intermissions where you can go to the bar or, partake in a caviar bump and a vodka shot with a passing sexy server, to prepare you for the next show.

The troupe encourage you to hit the dance floor after the show.

Viva means “Long Live” in Italian and Spanish. I think we’ll return.

Viva Melbourne – Level 2, 64-90 Sutton Street, North Melbourne
Booking: https://vivamelbourne.com.au/events/

To book tickets to Viva – Vicious, please visit https://vivamelbourne.com.au/.

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