Lassú: Past, Future, and Burlesque Collide

Lassu Cosmic Cabaret

Lassu Cosmic Cabaret Rating

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Produced by seventh-generation circus performer Merrik Ahston and creatively directed by Mitchell Woodcock, Lassú is a fusion of tradition and innovation. Their combined experience is evident in a seamless blend of circus, dance, and burlesque, delivering a cabaret that feels both fresh and timeless.

Billed as a Cosmic Cabaret, the show transports audiences into the glittering confines of the saloon with space cowboys, alien drifters, and the legendary Rodeo Sisters. Beneath the big top, transformed with bars, banquettes, private tables, and rings of chairs encircling the stage, the atmosphere captivates the audience before the first act even begins.

That anticipation was instantly rewarded when a poised aerialist strode onto the stage in boots and a high bun. To the audience’s amazement, she clipped herself onto the corde lisse (smooth rope) by her hair and soared, spinning and twisting with both grace and daring. The crowd erupted with cheers and whistles, fueling her performance even further. She later returned for a more traditional aerial routine, showcasing extraordinary artistry. For me, she was the standout performer in a show already brimming with remarkable talent.

 

 

From there, the show surged from thrill to thrill. A knife thrower had the audience holding its collective breath, his blades thudding into the board beside his assistant with precision—made all the more nerve-wracking once he donned a blindfold and relied only on her shouted commands: “Left! Right! Up! Down! THROW!” Gasps and nervous laughter rippled with each loud thunk.

A slack rope walker defied balance and logic by juggling atop a ladder and later a unicycle; a hypnotic fire act illuminated the stage with fiery beauty; feats of strength impressed with sheer power; and an unexpected clown act (IYKYK) had the audience laughing in surprise. Bringing it all together was the glamour of accomplished burlesque dancers and the soaring vocals of a powerhouse singer, ensuring the energy never faltered.

Lassú is not just a show—it’s a feast for the senses, a wild ride through the cosmic saloon where tradition, daring, and decadence collide to deliver an unforgettable night of entertainment.

To book tickets to Lassu Cosmic Cabaret, please visit https://www.lassutheshow.com.au/.

Photographer: Brooke Elizabeth Photography

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Absolute Trash

Absolute Trash

Absolute Trash Rating

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Bawdy, bendy and bootylicious.

Glitter Martini have brought Absolute Trash down from the Gold Coast for a short run at the Sydney Fringe, following sparkly five-star reviews at the Adelaide Fringe.

We live in a world surrounded by trash. Bin juice, trash pandas, floating garbage islands, and the toxic waste dump that passes for social media. When was the last time you said that your life is a dumpster fire? (Confession: last Wednesday for me.)

Absolute Trash gleefully up-cycles our garbage mountain planet with eye-popping circus, wacky comedy and bawdy cabaret.

It’s nice the get the word bawdy out of the house. It’s usually stuck at home doing debauched crochet while the sexier words like saucy and spicy get invited out to play.

If you want to, you can take it easy, sit back and watch, but part of the joy of a Glitter Martini show is their love of playing with their audience. You are invited to share your trashiest stories by text at the start of the show.

Director and performer, Darcie Rae, loves creating a real feeling of connection between the audience and performers. She has fashioned a joyous audience-driven, interactive experience that uses comedy to disarm you as it seductively draws you into the show.

 

 

Natrasha Binit, the Duchess of Debauchery, the Queen of Trash, is your incomparable compère for the night. They’re taller than Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch but they share his love of trash and trashy things, with a green plastic wig and a Chanel little black bin bag dress.

Trent Charles, as Natrasha, is the beautiful mutant lovechild of Cara Delevingne and a Monster High doll. You know, in a good way.

Tangly contortionist Bendy Elle spends the show upside down, in the air, inside out and tied up in knots. While smiling impishly.

It’s not every night that nimble and sculpted aerial artists like Miss Amy May and Darcie Rae take to hoops and trapeze, sharing a stage with puppet bin chickens.

I will go to my grave remembering the look of sheer disbelief on an audience member’s guide dog’s face as it stared up at two puppet bin chickens dancing, with squeaky rubber chickens, to Burt Bacharach, ably puppeteered by Charlie Love in platform PVC boots.

That is a sentence I never thought I’d write. And the rubber chicken can-can is a weird, wild and wonderful thing that you need to experience in the flesh.

Absolute Trash ticks all your sustainable boxes in a consensual way you weren’t expecting.

Glitter Martini’s Absolute Trash is part of the Sydney Fringe, playing at Fool’s Paradise, The Bunker, Entertainment Quarter until 21 September

To book tickets to Absolute Trash, please visit https://sydneyfringe.com/events/absolute-trash/.

Photographer: Josephine Carter, Taylor Scott

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Twisted Tales

Twisted Tales

Twisted Tales Rating

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Does Jessie, the cowgirl from Toy Story 3, prefer a buzz or a woody? Could Elphaba and Galinda actually be lesbian lovers, and who says that Ursula is a villain, especially when she holds a legally binding contract! She’s just misunderstood. These questions and more are explored in Twisted Tales, the extremely NOT child-friendly cabaret show at the Sydney Fringe Festival, fresh from their success in Adelaide.

Guided by the hilarious and charming Magic Mirror, Twisted Tales uses well-known children’s characters as the basis for a cabaret of acrobatics, music, and burlesque. The premise on the tin is to explore the twisted truths and hidden realities of classic fairy tales, but that’s not really accurate. Modern Disney movies and children’s stories (most of them not actually fairy tales) merely serve as a thematic launching pad for the bright costumes and various acts in a fast-paced mixture of rebellious mischief and wicked mayhem. My favourite was the Cinderella story. I won’t spoil it, but the twist here was both hilarious and genius. The show’s tongue is firmly in cheek, the cast seemingly having as much fun performing as the audience is watching. There is plenty of course language, adult humour, and exposed flesh, so again, the show is 18+ and not suitable for children.

 

 

The space was cavernous but somehow still intimate, the whole audience sitting close to the action and feeling involved and connected. A leaking roof and a large storm outside merely proved a small distraction from the glitter, flesh, and laughter. Some of the acts felt repetitive, such as the multiple burlesque numbers merely changing performer and costume but effectively doing the same thing all over again, but they were still fun and cheeky (literally) so it didn’t really matter. Everyone was having a great time, constantly laughing, clapping, whistling, and hollering in support. And isn’t that the point?

Also, a shout-out to the stage crew. Off to the side I could spot a few people clad in black trying to go un-noticed, working all night hoisting the performers up and down on various acrobatic apparatus, pulling hard on ropes with choreographed precision. It didn’t look easy.

Twisted Tales is part of the Sydney Fringe Festival and playing at The Bunker, Fool’s Paradise, Moore Park Entertainment Quarter until the 21st of September.

To book tickets to Twisted Tales, please visit https://sydneyfringe.com/events/twisted-tales/.

Photographer: Georgia Moloney

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Swan Lake on Ice: A Spellbinding Reimagining That Redefines the Art of Skating

The Imperial Ice Stars: Swan Lake on Ice

The Imperial Ice Stars: Swan Lake on Ice Rating

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Forget everything you thought you knew about ice skating—it’s about to be redefined.

To mark their 21st anniversary, the Imperial Ice Stars present a breathtaking new production of Swan Lake on Ice that pushes the boundaries of performance art. This isn’t merely figure skating—it’s a dynamic fusion of ice theatre and circus artistry, infused with enchanting Russian folklore and Tchaikovsky’s ageless masterpiece. The result? A spectacle that mesmerises the senses and leaves audiences spellbound.

This isn’t a performance for purists seeking a traditional Swan Lake. While it honours iconic fairytale imagery like Odette’s anguish, a charming prince, and the shimmering beauty of the swans, it boldly reimagines the classic with innovative twists, a remix of the iconic score, and original musical additions. The result is a dazzling reinterpretation—a vibrant celebration of art, athleticism, and imagination.

Watching ice dancing live is a feast for the senses. You can smell the crisp, clean chill of the frozen stage and hear the exhilarating whoosh of blades slicing through ice. The shimmering costumes catch the light in dazzling displays, while the sharp crack of a perfectly executed jump reverberates through the air. Every movement, every glide, every leap, every nuance immerses you in a world of elegance and strength.

Featuring a cast of 23 elite skaters—collectively boasting over 250 medals in Olympic, World, European, and National Championships—this production transforms a frozen theatre stage into a playground of daring acrobatics and lyrical grace. Imperial Ice spares no effort in its design and execution. Snow drifts gently from above, fog swirls mysteriously across the ice, and pyrotechnic bursts ignite the stage, amplifying the drama. The choreography pushes the limits of contemporary ice dance, combining storytelling with awe-inspiring physicality.

 

Olga Sharutenko as Odette the White Swan embodies the character’s vulnerability and ethereal beauty with poignant grace. Her movements are fluid and deeply expressive. Act 2 sees her truly come to the fore, especially during the partner work, where her connection is both tender and intense. While her en pointe sequence showcased remarkable technical prowess and undeniable difficulty, it momentarily disrupted the natural flow and sweeping rhythm of the choreography. Even so, Sharutenko’s commanding performance left an indelible mark.

Maksim Miroshkin brings a charming and energetic presence to the role of Prince Siegfried. His partnering is undeniably strong, effortlessly lifting and supporting his partner with power and precision. It was a lively performance that brought a refreshing energy to the stage and story. Ratibor Shirokov, as Baron von Rothbart, commands the ice with menacing, strong movements and fabulous partnering. Dmitrii Lapshin plays the Prince’s loyal friend Benno. His skating is precise and sharp, showcasing exceptional technical skill and control, punctuated by several dazzling jumps.

As Odile, Viktorriia Mikhailova is a captivating enigma, personifying the Black Swan. Her skating is fast, fluid, and powerful, seamlessly blending incredible athleticism with pure, unadulterated artistry. Mikhailova’s portrayal perfectly captures the character’s seductive and manipulative nature, enthralling the audience with every movement. With her beautiful lines and impeccable mastery, her pas de deux with Miroshkin is a breathtaking display of lyricism, evoking the grace and intensity of Olympic-level competition.

The lake scenes were a highlight, where the skating flowed effortlessly with the music, undistracted by pyrotechnics or spectacle. In these moments, the ensemble moved with synchronised grace, while featured solos and duets added a profound intimacy, drawing the audience into a world where the emotional depth of Swan Lake was fully realised.

This dazzling production showcases the unparalleled artistry of Russian ice skaters, performed to a stirring Russian score, and warmly appreciated by the many Russian compatriots in the audience. But beyond that, the sheer spectacle, athleticism, technical brilliance, and boundless joy of the performers will keep both the young and the young-at-heart on the edge of their seats. Be sure to stay for the encore—an unforgettable surprise finale worth the ticket price alone.

To book tickets to The Imperial Ice Stars: Swan Lake on Ice , please visit swanlakeonice.com.au

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